Hendon Aerodrome Photographs [Rix]

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of photographs belonging to John Wilton Rix that were taken at Hendon Aerodrome circa the 1910s. There are eighteen black and white prints in total, ranging in size from approximately 3.5 by 5.5 inches up to 5 by 8 inches. Many are printed as post cards and some are duplicates. Aviators shown in the photographs include Frank Widenham Goodden; Frederick P. Raynham; J. Laurence Hall; and Samuel Franklin "Sam" Cody. Aircraft shown in the photographs include the Avro 502 (Type Es); Cody (Samuel) 1911 Biplane, Circuit of Britain (Mark III); Handley Page G (G/100, H.P.7); Blériot XI-2; and a Caudron Type D. The collection also includes two images of the de Bothezat Helicopter in flight, one of which is inscribed, "Mr. J. W. Rix with my best regards Prof. [Dr. ?] G. de Bothezat."

Arrangement

This collection is in original order.

Biographical / Historical

John Wilton Rix (1899-1958) worked with numerous prominent aviation companies. Born in England, Rix was interested in mechanical things from an early age and became something of a self-taught engineer. His interest in aviation also began at a young age when his family moved to live near Hendon Aerodrome. There, Rix would interact with many of the pilots of the day and sometimes would do minor jobs for them. During World War I, Rix served as a tank driver and after the War worked in engineering jobs or as a tool maker for various firms in England. In 1924, Rix and his wife relocated to the United States. From approximately 1926 until 1930, Rix worked with George de Bothezat as a factory manager for the De Bothezat Impeller Company in New York. From 1930 to 1934, Rix was employed at the Martin Aeroplane Factory in Garden City, Long Island, New York. Rix went to work for Waco Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio in 1935 as a production engineer. In 1938, Rix took a leave of absence and went to England for six months during which time he served as a consultant for Avro. Rix went to work for Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas in 1940 before leaving to become a manufacturing consultant for Beech Aircraft in 1958.