James B. Taylor III (President of Canadair) Collection
Abstract
James B. Taylor III was an aviator and international marketer, especially of business jets. He learned to fly in the United States Navy during World War II as a test and carrier fighter pilot. He briefly flew a Douglas DC-3 after the war, however switched to a career in aviation marketing. Taylor was renowned for his innovative marketing approach in selling three business jets: the Dassault Falcon, the Cessna Citation and the Canadair Challenger. He also cleared up the financial troubles of Gates LearJet as the company’s President and Chief Executive.
Dates
- 1971 - 1988
- Majority of material found within 1979 - 1983
Creator
- Taylor, James B., Mr., III, 1921-2003 (President of Canadair, Inc.) (Collector, Person)
Biographical Sketch
James B. Taylor, III. was born on December 14, 1921, in New York City, New York to United States Navy pilot James B. Taylor, Jr., who fought in World War II. Taylor, Jr. was killed in 1942 while testing an airplane. Taylor, III. had two sisters. During the war, Taylor, III. graduated from high school and was accepted to start naval cadet flight training for the Navy. Following his training, Taylor flew as a test pilot, worked as a flight instructor, and was a fighter pilot.
After the war, Taylor flew Douglas DC-3s for a brief period. Following that, he switched his career to aviation marketing. He was the Vice President for Mallard Air Service. He worked for Upressit Metal Cap Corporation first as Sales Manager and later as its President from 1948 through 1962. In 1963, he went to Pan American World Airways to head the Business Jet Division as Vice President. Taylor was renowned for his innovative marketing approach in selling three business jets: the Dassault Falcon, the Cessna Citation, and the Canadair Challenger. He also cleared up the financial troubles of Gates LearJet as the company’s President and Chief Executive.
In 1948, Taylor married Ms. Margaret Krout. The couple has four children, sons James B. Taylor, IV., Ray K. Taylor, W. Thorne Taylor, and daughter Jayne A. Taylor.
In 1988, Taylor founded the James B. Taylor Associates, a consulting firm for aviation management and marketing.
Taylor received many accolades such as being inducted in the Aviation Week & Space Technology Laureates Hall of Fame or he NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) Meritorious Service to Aviation award to name a few.
James B. Taylor, III. passed away on January 17, 2003 at the age of eighty-one. He is being survived by his wife, children, sisters, and grandchildren.
Extent
1.7 Linear Feet (One half-size manuscript box and one non-standard box (18.0x13.0x3.0).)
Language of Materials
English
- Advertisements. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Aeronautics, Commercial Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Air pilots--United States--Biography. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Air pilots--United States. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Canadair Challenger (Jet transport) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Cessna aircraft Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Dassault airplanes Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Douglas DC-3 (Transport plane) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gates Learjet Corporation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- History of Aviation Archives Subject Source: Local sources
- Jet engines Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Jet transports Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Test pilots Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Navy Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 Aerial operations, American. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Title
- Guide to the James B. Taylor III (President of Canadair) Collection, 1921-2003
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Patrizia Nava, CA
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English (eng)
- Edition statement
- First revision by Patrizia Nava, CA. 2022-09-09.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Division, History of Aviation Archives. Repository
3020 Waterview Pkwy
SP2
Suite 11.206
Richardson Texas 75080 US
972-883-2570
LIBSPCO@utdallas.edu.