Search and rescue aircraft

This collection contains materials related to aircraft built in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. William M. Leary taught at the University of Georgia focusing on a variety topics of aviation related events. This main subject was the study of aviation in China and the Far East, cumulated in documenting the history of China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), Civil Air Transport (CAT) and Air America, and their connections to the United States intelligence establishment.

Jonathan Denton Ledford was both an actor and U.S. Naval Aviation blimp commander with a passion for lighter-than-air airships. This collection includes materials Ledford collected during his time with the U.S. Navy, such as documents related to his time in flight school, personal correspondence and history, flight log book, clippings related to lighter-than-air airships, World War II, photographs of dirigibles, naval ships, and entertainers.

Gayle L. Morrison is a scholar and academic whose research subjects include the Hmong people of Laos. The Hmong were important allies of the American forces fighting in Laos during the Vietnam War, and were connected to Air America, Inc. operations.

French Nestor Smith, Jr. was a captain in the rotary wing division of Air America, Inc. His employment started September 7, 1965, and just prior to the time of his resignation on December 31, 1973, he was an instructor pilot stationed in Udorn, Thailand.

The collection contains correspondence, reports, maps, and drafts for a book, photographs, articles, and newsletters primarily pertaining to Laos.