James S. Kippen Aviation Photography Collection

This collection contains photographs, slides, transparencies, negatives and images taken by James S. Kippen in his career as both an Air Traffic Controller and an aviation photographer. It also includes some autographed posters and a few documents. The James S. Kippen Aviation Photography Collection is housed in forty-three manuscript boxes, three slide boxes and three non-standard boxes totaling 31.3 linear ft.

The collection arrived in good condition and the archivist identified four series with the first being the Photographs Series, which is further organized into ten subseries: 1. James S. Kippen Photography, 2. Joint Base Andrews, 3. Nevada Test and Training Range, 4. Military Facilities, 5. Commercial and General Aviation Airports, 6. Airshows and Fly-Ins, 7. Warbirds of America, Inc., 8. Aviation Museums, 9. Foreign Air Forces, and 10. Aircraft.

Subseries 1. consists of documentation describing James S. Kippen and his photographic work, a sample of images pulled from the collection by his wife Mary to illustrate the collection’s significance, and four portfolios prepared by Kippen showcasing the breadth of his photographic activities.

Subseries 2. includes photographs taken at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland (created by the merger of Andrews Air Force Base and Andrews Naval Air Station in 2009). Photographs in this collection were taken by Kippen while employed as an Air Traffic controller at Andrews Air Force Base in the 1980s, as well as later in his career as a freelance aviation photographer. It is further organized into six Sub-subseries: A. Andrews Air Force Base, B. Naval Air Facility Andrews, C. Andrews Air Force Base Airshows, D. 89th Airlift Wing Air Mobility Command, E. VIP and Dignitary Travel at Andrews, and F. Andrews Air Force Base History.

Sub-subseries A. contains photographs of US Air Force aircraft in day-to-day operation at Andrews Air Force Base.

Sub-subseries B. includes photographs of US Navy aircraft in day-to-day operation at Naval Air Station Andrews.

Sub-subseries C. houses photographs of various airshows, open houses, and displays of aircraft and equipment at Joint Base Andrews.

Sub-subseries D. consists of photographs of aircraft of the 89th Airlift Wing Air Mobility Command, which is responsible for the transport of government officials and dignitaries. It also has photographs of various models of aircraft that served as Air Force One and Marine One.

Sub-subseries E. contains photographs of various VIP and dignitary arrivals at Andrews Air Force Base. Subjects include the Presidents/Premiers of Egypt, South Korea, and Japan, the Prince of Wales and Margret Thatcher, Pope John Paul the II, the return of U.S. Hostages from Iran, the repatriation of the body of slain Ambassador Adolph Dubs, US Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan, and various other government figures and special guests.

Sub-subseries F. includes historical photographs of Andrews Air Force Base. Topics covered are the Washington, D.C. Air National Guard, the Air Traffic Control Center, and the construction of a new control tower for the facility.

Subseries 3. houses photographs of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). The NTTR is a number of facilities located in Nevada including Nellis Air Force Base, Area 51, and Indian Wells. It is organized into seven Sub-subseries: A. Nevada Test and Training Range, B. Nellis Air Force Base, C. CAPSTONE Readiness Exercises, D. Green Flag Exercises, E. Joint Forcible Entry Exercises, F. ME Phase Exercises, and G. Red Flag Exercises.

Sub-subseries A. contains printed information about the Nevada Test and Training Range; photographs providing a general overview of the facilities; photographs of Area 51/Groom Lake; Tonopah, Nevada; and Indian Wells.

Sub-subseries B. includes photographs of operations and open houses at Nellis Air Force Base, the USAF Weapons School, the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, and the 57th Adversary Tactics Groups.

Sub-subseries C. houses photographs of CAPSTONE readiness exercises, designed to test the command and control skills of senior military officers.

Sub-subseries D. consists of photographs of Green Flag exercises, which are the United States military’s major joint air to ground attack and defense training activities.

Sub-subseries E. contains photographs of the Joint Forcible Entry Exercise (JFEW), which trains pilots in how to enter and disrupt enemy controlled airspaces.

Sub-subseries F. includes ME Phase Exercises, which teaches to pilots to command the airspace while operating in rapidly evolving combat environments.

Sub-subseries G. houses photographs of the Red Flag Exercises, which are the United States military’s major air to air attack and defense training activities.

Subseries 4. contains photographs of various military facilities. It is further divided into two Sub-subseries: A. United States, and B. Foreign.

Sub-subseries A. consists of photographs of various American military facilities located throughout the United States.

Sub-subseries B. includes photographs of foreign military facilities in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Honduras.

Subseries 5. houses photographs of commercial and general aviation use airports located throughout the United States.

Subseries 6. contains photographs of various Airshows, Fly-Ins, and other aviation related events. It is further divided into five Sub-subseries: A. Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Airventure- Oshkosh, Wisconsin; B. Reno Air Races- Reno, Nevada; C. United States Airshows; D. Foreign Airshows; and E. Aviation Demonstration Teams.

Sub-subseries A. consists of photographs of the Experimental Aviation Association, its annual EAA Airventure show, held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and an EAA Fly-In held in West Virginia.

Sub-subseries B. houses photographs taken at the Reno National Air Races held in Reno, Nevada.

Sub-subseries C. includes photographs of Airshows and Fly-Ins held at various aviation facilities around the United States.

Sub-subseries D. contains photographs of airshows occurring in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland.

Sub-subseries E. consists of photographs of various aircraft demonstration teams including the USN Blue Angels, the USAF Thunderbirds, and the RAF Red Arrows.

Subseries 7. houses photographs pertaining to the Warbirds of America, Inc., an organization dedicated to the preservation and operation of historic military aircraft. It is further divided into three Sub-subseries: A. Warbirds of America, Inc. Events, B. Warbirds of America Aircraft, Inc., and C. Warbirds of America People, Inc. and Places.

Sub-subseries A. includes photographs of the Warbirds of America’s, Inc. participation in various fly-ins and airshows, especially focused around the EAA Airventure show.

Sub-subseries B. consists of photographs of individual aircraft owned and operated by members of the Warbirds of America, Inc.

Sub-subseries C. contains photographs of people associated with the Warbirds of America, Inc., invited guests, and specific locations used by the Warbirds of America, Inc. for operations.

Subseries 8. includes photographs of museums, exhibits, and organizations dedicated to showcasing aviation history.

Subseries 9. houses photographs of aircraft operated by foreign air forces, primarily Canadian, Western European, and the Japanese Self Defense Force.

Subseries 10. consists of photographs of individual aircraft type arranged by their designation under the United States Tri-Service Designation System (for American aircraft), and alphabetically by manufacturer (for foreign aircraft or civilian aircraft). Additionally Soviet/Warsaw Pact Aircraft are listed with their NATO codenames. It is further divided into fifteen Sub-subseries: A. Attack Aircraft, B. Bomber Aircraft, C. Cargo/Transport Aircraft, D. Electronic Warfare Aircraft, E. Fighter Aircraft, F. Tanker, Observation, Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, G. Trainer Aircraft, H. Utility Aircraft, I. Experimental Aircraft, J. Personal Aircraft, K. Business Jets, L. Commercial Airliners, M. Helicopters, and N. General Aircraft.

Sub-subseries A. contains photographs of aircraft given an “A” designation, because they serve an attack role.

Sub-subseries B. includes photographs of aircraft given a “B” designation, because they serve a bombardment role.

Sub-subseries C. houses photographs of aircraft given a “C” designation, because they carry cargo or serve in a transport capacity.

Sub-subseries D. consists of photographs of aircraft given an “E” designation, because they serve an electronic warfare or command and control role.

Sub-subseries E. contains photographs of aircraft given an “F” designation because the engage in a fighter role.

Sub-subseries F. houses photographs designated “KC” for aerial refueling activities, “P” for patrol activities, or “S” for a reconnaissance role.

Sub-subseries G. includes photographs of aircraft designated “T” for serving in a training role.

Sub-subseries H. consists of photographs of aircraft designated “U” for having a utility role.

Sub-subseries I. contains photographs of aircraft given an “X” designation because they are experimental test beds.

Sub-subseries J. houses photographs of private use and personal aircraft.

Sub-subseries K. includes photographs of business jets.

Sub-subseries L. consists of photographs of commercial airliners.

Sub-subseries M. contains photographs of helicopters.

Sub-subseries N. houses photographs of other types of aircraft including gliders, ultralights, and hot air balloons.

The Second Series is the Negatives/Transparencies series, which is further organized into twelve subseries: 1. Andrews Air Force Base, 2. American Military Installations, 3. Nevada Test and Training Range, 4. Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), 5. Reno Air Races, 6. Airshows, 7. Aviation Events, 8. Airports, 9. Aviation Museums, 10. Aircraft, 11. Aviation People, and 12. Non-Aviation Topics.

Subseries 1. consists of negatives of Andrews Air Force Base and associated military facilities.

Subseries 2. includes negatives of operations at other American military facilities.

Subseries 3. houses negatives of the Nevada Test and Training Range, its activities, facilities and component squadrons.

Subseries 4. contains negatives of the Experimental Aviation Association, its EAA Airventure Airshow, and other smaller fly-ins and events.

Subseries 5. consists of negatives of the Reno National Air Races as well as travel to and from the events.

Subseries 6. includes negatives of various Airshows and Fly-In held in the United States of America.

Subseries 7. houses negatives of aviation events including the Gathering of Eagles in Las Vegas, Nevada and the 50th Anniversary of the USAF.

Subseries 8. contains negatives of various American commercial and general use airports.

Subseries 9. consists of negatives of aircraft displayed at various aviation museums.

Subseries 10. includes negatives of individual aircraft organized by type.

Subseries 11. houses negatives of Kippen’s friends, special quests at aviation events, pilots, and aircraft restorers.

The third series is the Slides series consisting of 35mm slides, which is further organized into nine Subseries: 1. Andrews Air Force Base, 2. Nevada Test and Training Range, 3. EAA Airventure, 4. Airshows and Fly-Ins, 5. Warbirds of America, Inc., 6. Demonstration and Acrobatic Aircraft, 7. Individual Aircraft, and 8. Aircraft Categories.

Subseries 1. consists of slides of Andrews Air Force Base and its related facilities.

Subseries 2. includes slides of the Nevada Test and Training Range its component facilities, as well as other Nevada aviation sites including McCarran International Airport and the Reno Air Races.

Subseries 3. houses slides of the EAA Airventure show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Subseries 4. contains slides taken at various airshows and fly-ins located around the United States.

Subseries 5. consists of slides depicting the activities of the Warbirds of America, Inc.

Subseries 6. includes slides of demonstration teams (Blue Angels and Thunderbirds) as well as aircraft used for acrobatic/stunt flying.

Subseries 7. houses slides depicting individual aircraft.

Subseries 8. contains slides of aircraft divided into categories by type (generally in cases where there were not enough slides of a given aircraft to justify in an individual listing).

Subseries 9. consists of slides depicting the aircraft carriers USS John F. Kennedy and USS Wolverine.

The fourth series includes oversized material, primarily large posters advertising various Airshows, as well as autographed posters of aircraft.