IOWA AVIATION MUSEUM

In 1935, while employed by International Harvester Truck Division, Herbert Elliott became interested in flying, and with the money he saved playing bass fiddle at night, purchased a Curtiss, Jr. He became associated with Delbert Clayton, who at that time…

Donald A. Luscombe was born in Iowa City on May 25, 1895. Early in his life, he showed an interest in promoting, writing and advertising. In the spring of 1917, he volunteered during World War I to be an ambulance…

Born November 8, 1922 on a farm two miles south of Deloit, Iowa, in Crawford County, Charles Fink was introduced to flying as a teenager. He picked corn by hand to earn money for flying lessons, soloing on March 22,…

Robert W. Williams was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on September 21, 1922. His father became a pilot and encouraged his sons to learn. They became three of the total 102 black pilots in the United States at that time. When…

Born in Talmage, Iowa on October 22, 1930, Elvin F. Knotts grew up in the Afton and Creston area. In 1951, Elvin joined the United States Air Force. He had a varied career which included being a radar operator, radar…

Born in Brooklyn, Iowa, Avery Ladd, worked and flew for Midwest Aviation Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska. He qualified for federal aircraft and engine license and also transport license in 1930. He was an instructor and a charter pilot for the…

Rear Admiral Harold Blaine “Min†Miller, was born January 4, 1903, in Newton, Iowa. In his early teens he moved to Murphy, Iowa, to live with his grandparents on the family farm. Harold moved to California while he was still…

Clifton P. “Ole†Oleson was born in McGregor, Iowa, in September, 1899. His fifty year flying career took him to friendly and unfriendly skies around the world, but always brought him back to Iowa. A born flyer, he was obsessed…

Charles W. Gatschet was born in Salina, Kansas, December 4, 1896. He joined the U.S. Army’s pilot training in 1917. He instructed aviation cadets before going to France as a Signal Corps pilot.  In 1919, he built and flew his…

Hartley A. Westbrook was born January 29, 1919 near Letts, Iowa. While attending what is now known as the University of Northern Iowa, he took initial flight training from John and Bite Livingston. He completed his training after joining the…