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National Air and Space Museum Archives
Naval Aircraft Escape Systems Collection [Thomas]
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.2014.0024
- Creators:
-
Thomas, William., 1925-2008
- Dates:
-
bulk 1954-1985
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
6.5 Cubic feet(5 boxes)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 9 cubic feet of material collected by the donor's father, William Thomas, during his Navy contractor career, 1954-1985. The collection is mostly textual, including reports, manuals, brochures, memorandum, and correspondence; however, the collection also contains 16 mm film and photography. All of the material relates to Thomas' ejection escape systems work for aircraft, primarily for the General Dynamics F-111, the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and the North American A3J-1 (A-5A) Vigilante.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
William C. Thomas, Jr. (1925-2008) worked for the US Navy for 31 years (1954-1985) where he designed aircraft escape systems (ejection seats, parachute systems and escape capsules.) Thomas facilitated the launch of the initial introduction of Martin-Baker ejection seats in military aircraft, and started efforts to incorporate automatic sequenced ejection in multiplace aircraft. He was the project engineer for the development and incorporation of a supersonic capable ejection seat in the North American A3J-1 (A-5A) Vigilante and was instrumental in the development of the General Dynamics F-111 capsuled escape module. In 1970 he was the founder and chairman of the Emergency Egress Committee; this committee, which was comprised of representatives from the major manufacturers of Navy aircraft, coordinated the development and improvement of escape systems for all Naval aircraft.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Jefferson Thomas, Gift, 2014
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Naval Aircraft Escape Systems Collection [Thomas], Accession 2014-0024, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Aeronautics | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Aeronautics, Military | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Aircraft industry | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Reports | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Manuals | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Brochures | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Photographic prints | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
16mm motion picture film | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
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