Finding aid for the Rockwell International Corporation/North American Aircraft Collection
Title:
Rockwell International Corporation/North American Aircraft Collection
Repository:
Ohio History Connection
Phone: 614-297-2510
http://www.ohiomemory.org/cdm4/index_aids.php?CISOROOT=/aids
Creator:
Rockwell International
Dates:
1950-1987
Quantity:
2 cubic feet
Abstract:
 The Rockwell International Corporation/North American Aircraft Collection consists of photographs, slides negatives, and one videotape documenting the operations of the company from the 1950s through the 1980s. Most of the collection dates from the 1950s-1960s. The collection is arranged into three series by record type. Series I contains photographs and slides, Series II negatives, and Series III videotape.
Identification:
AV 32
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
Language:
The records are in English

History of Columbus Aircraft Division of Rockwell International

The Columbus Aircraft Division of Rockwell International began operations in November of 1950, when North American Aviation, the then-parent company of Rockwell International, bought out the facilities and operations of the Curtiss-Wright Plant located near Port Columbus Airport on the city's east side. The Rockwell plant was operational on December 4, 1950. Initially, the division handled contracts left over from the Curtiss-Wright operation and manufactured spare parts for a variety of "non-current" aircraft, such as the F-51 Mustang and the B-25 Mitchell bomber. Eventually, the division expanded into an operation capable of designing, building, and testing its own aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-86 Sabre, the primary jet fighter of the United Nations forces during the Korean War. The division also participated in various defense research projects. During the 1980s, the Columbus plant helped to produce the B-1B strategic bomber. In May of 1988, Rockwell announced that it was discontinuing operations at Columbus.

Scope and Content

The Rockwell International Corporation/North American Aircraft Collection consists of photographs, slides negatives, and one videotape documenting the operations of the company from the 1950s through the 1980s. Most of the collection dates from the 1950s-1960s. The collection is arranged into three series by record type. Series I contains photographs and slides, Series II negatives, and Series III videotape.

Statement of Arrangement

Series I: Photographs and Slides - Series I includes photographs largely of aircraft and test flight operations. Mostly dating from the 1950s and 1960s, the series also contains images of defense research and other activities. Some of the images date from the 1940s when the plant was under the operation of the Curtiss Wright Corporation. The slide collection largely documents an air show held at the plant in the 1970s. Series II: Negatives - While box 4 contains negatives for images found in box 1, images of North American aircraft and test flight operations, Series II consists of film negatives that are for the most part related to the Curtiss Wright years of operation. Series III: Videotape - Series III contains one videotape of Rockwell's 35th Anniversary of Operations in Columbus. Many of these images are duplicates of or are from the same series of photographs as found in MSS 1071 AV, the Curtiss-Wright Collection.

Restrictions on Use

Any copyrights such as the donor may possess in this property or in any other property in the custody of the Ohio Historical Society are hereby dedicated to the public.

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio Historical Society.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Aircraft industry -- Ohio -- Columbus.

Organizations/Corporations:

Rockwell International Corporation - Columbus Divisions
Rockwell International, Columbus Divisions (Columbus, Ohio)

Material Types:

Negatives
Photographic prints.
Slides.
Video recordings.

Technical Requirements

Light box needed to view slides. Appointment needed to view videotape.


Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite the Rockwell International Corporation/North American Aircraft Collection, AV 32, and the Ohio Historical Society Archives/Library in all footnotes and bibliographic references.

Acquisition Information

The Ohio Historical Society acquired the Rockwell International Corporation Collection as a gift from Dent Williams.

Processing Information

Processed by Matthew Benz


Bibliography

"Footprints" - History & Highlights of North American Aircraft - Columbus," Call Number PA Box 679-23.