Michael M. Hasco Collection

This collection contains reports, images, postcards, ephemera, publications, press releases, and clippings that were collected by Michael M. Hasco. The Michael M. Hasco Collection is housed in one manuscript box and one non-standard box, totaling 3.4 linear ft.

The original collection arrived in good condition and was initially processed with only a container list as description. Due to a change of the content management system, further description proved to be necessary. More materials were donated over the course of the years, which caused the processing archivist to change the original arrangement into series and subseries. The archivist identified three series with the first series being the Lighter than Air Series, which is further organized into three subseries: 1. Hindenburg Disaster, 2. Photographs, and 3. Postcards.

Subseries 1. contains the FBI investigation report regarding the 1937 Hindenburg crash at the Naval Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. This report was requested by the donor through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 1989.

Subseries 2. consists of photographs: Image number 3MMH-1-4-PB1 depicts a Good Year type blimp moored to a mast with markings reading: "Howard Hughes' daring Production "The Outlaw," tail number: NX-33672.

Image number 3MMH-1-4-PB2 depicts a Good Year type blimp exiting a hangar with markings reading: "Good Year Lifeguard Tires, Volunteer," tail number: Volunteer Los Angeles NC-8A.

Image number 3MMH-1-3-PB1 through 3MMH-1-3-PB3 depicts Navy blimps in flight.

Image number 3MMH-1-6-PB1 depicts the engine nacelle of a blimp.

Image number 3MMH-1-7-PB1 depicts an aerial view of a dirigible hangar with airfields and buildings.

Image number 3MMH-1-8-PB1 through 3MMH-1-8-PB4 depicts the Graf Zeppelin at Mines Field, Los Angeles, CA; and 3MMH-1-8-PB5 shows the Graf Zeppelin flying over Friedrichshafen a. B., Lake Constance, Germany.

Image number 3MMH-1-9-PB1 through 3MMH-1-9-PB2 depicts the U.S. Army dirigible Good Year RS-1 in flight.

Subseries 3. contains postcards depicting the Graf Zeppelin, Hindenburg, and Akron in various stages of flight.

The second series is the Photograph Series, which contains a photo album from an unidentified source. Images show aerial views of Waco, Texas, Richfield Airfield, Cotton Palace with Richfield in the background, Richfield during the “Day of Aerial Circus,” airplanes flying in formation, soldiers, family members, and landscapes. The loose photographs probably belonged to the album. Some are duplicates and contain descriptions on the back.

The third series is the General Aviation Series, which is further organized into five subseries: 1. Ballooning, 2. Max Conrad, 3. Publications, 4. Ephemera, and 5. Powder Puff Derby.

Subseries 1. contains a report conducted by the Technical Air Intelligence Center regarding Japanese balloons, as well as a pictorial history of Japanese balloon bombs recovery and damage in the United States. The pamphlet also includes a note written by Hasco stating that this booklet is supposed to be donated to the History of Aviation Archives.

Subseries 2. features an image depicting a Piper Comanche 250, tail number: NIIOLF, airplane in flight over a body of water. Markings on the fuselage read: “Experimental” and “Lets Fly.” The image is dedicated to Bill and signed by the famous aviator Max Conrad.

Subseries 3. contains a German publication dealing with various aircraft types and their respective engines.

Subseries 4. includes a postcard depicting a Dornier Do J Wal (Whale) (Do 16) flying boat, tail number: K-AKER, marking on fuselage reads: “Taifun,” a bookmark of a Tiger Moth 2-1-2, and a decal “Air Classic Frankfurt Flughafen ‘I like Oldies.’”

Subseries 5. covers different Powder Puff Derbies through press releases, information sheets, route maps, solicitation for support, clippings, and an official program.