Guide to the John Slattery Collection (1928 - 2008) Inclusive Dates: 1954 - 2003 Bulk Dates: 1954 - 1979 5.00 Linear Feet Accession Number: 37-09 Collection Number: T37-09 Prepared by Thomas J. Allen, Ph.D. March 3, 2010 Revised September 16, 2011 CITATION: Document name or type, Folder number, Box number, Series number, John Slattery Collection, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas. Special Collections Department McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas Contents Historical Sketch ............................................................................................................................. 3 Series Description ........................................................................................................................... 3 Series I: Helicopter Manufactures. .5 linear feet. ..................................................................... 3 Series II: Hiller Aircraft Corporation. 2 linear feet................................................................... 4 Series III: Magazine Articles. .75 linear feet. ........................................................................... 4 Series IV: Helicopter General Information. .75 linear feet........................................................ 4 Series V: Videos. 1.6 linear feet. .............................................................................................. 4 Series VI: Models. On display in Special Collections Research Area. .................................... 4 Series VII: Photographs. 1 linear foot....................................................................................... 4 Series VIII: Autogiros, Compound Helicopters, and Maintenance. .25 linear feet. ................. 4 Series IX: Artifacts. .25 linear feet. .......................................................................................... 4 Scope and Content .......................................................................................................................... 4 Provenance Statement ..................................................................................................................... 6 Literary Rights Statement ............................................................................................................... 6 Note to the Researcher .................................................................................................................... 6 Image Identification ........................................................................................................................ 6 2 Historical Sketch John Matthew Slattery was born in Bay City, Michigan in 1928. During World War II he enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific. At the outbreak of the Korean War he was recalled to active duty and served with the Marine Corps. During the Korean War he was afflicted with frostbite and was evacuated by medical helicopter. This experience fascinated Slattery, and was the start of his life time interest in helicopters. In 1954, he entered the Air Force as an aviation cadet and trained to be a helicopter pilot. He served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War and eventually left the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his Air Force Career, Slattery was decorated numerous times, receiving the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and 11 awards of the Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. During his Air Force career, Slattery began collection and documenting information about the history of the helicopter, as well as amassing a collection of models of various helicopters. The bulk of this material was used to establish a historical collection/museum at the offices of Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) in Alexandria, Virginia. Slattery dedication to helicopter history led to his involvement with the Twirly Birds, a helicopter association, as longtime secretary and treasurer. Slattery also was a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and several veterans and helicopter organizations. Slattery also worked with Hollywood, consulting on the use of helicopters for 20th Century Fox/Warner Brothers film The Towering Inferno, and the syndicated helicopter action-adventure television show AirWolf Slattery passed away from complications related to emphysema on March 6, 2008. His wife of 53 years Jane Slattery, two sons, and six grandchildren survives him. Sources Schudel, Matt. 2008. “John Matthew Slattery, 80, Air Force Pilot”. The Washington Post, March 21. Series Description The John Slattery Collection is arranged into nine series Series I: Helicopter Manufactures. .5 linear feet. 1 Box. This box is arranged alphabetically by manufacture name. It contains information about the products, operations, and functions of the major world manufacturers of helicopters. 3 Series II: Hiller Aircraft Corporation. 2 linear feet. 4 Boxes. Boxes are arranged chronologically by box. Series includes information about Hiller Helicopter products, technical reports, test documents, and marketing. Series III: Magazine Articles. .75 linear feet. 1 and ½ Boxes. Items are arranged alphabetically by magazine title. Series houses articles from various magazines related to aviation, science, and the military. Series IV: Helicopter General Information. .75 linear feet. 1 and ½ Boxes. Materials are arranged topically. Series contains information about various helicopter organizations, planning and marketing materials, and reports and analysis about the commercial and military use of helicopters. Series V: Videos. 1.6 linear feet. 2 and ½ Boxes. Materials are organized by title. Series houses video tapes used for helicopter marketing purposes. Series VI: Models. On display in Special Collections Research Area. 14 Models. Series consists of helicopter models collected by John Slattery. These models were part of the display located at Helicopter Foundation International (HFI). Series VII: Photographs. 1 linear foot. 2 Boxes. Materials are organized by title. Series includes photographs of various helicopters, pilots and operations. Series VIII: Autogiros, Compound Helicopters, and Maintenance. .25 linear feet. ½ of a Box. Materials are organized by date. Series contains information about helicopter maintenance, as well as other types of rotor powered aircraft. Series IX: Artifacts. .25 linear feet. ½ of a Box. Materials are organized by title. Series houses a number of three dimensional artifacts connected to the helicopters. Scope and Content The John Slattery Collection is arranged into six series: Series I: Helicopter Manufacturers – 1 Box (1953 – 1980) This series includes articles, press releases, brochures, and other information about the products of the world’s major helicopter manufactures. 4 Series II: Hiller Aircraft Corporation – 4 Boxes (1960 – 1970) This series contains material generated by the helicopter arm of the Hiller Aircraft Corporation. The bulk of the collection relates to Hiller’s work on a contract for a Light Observation Helicopter for the United States army (eventually designated the OH-5 Cayuse). Other information includes engineering and technical reports about helicopter propulsion and systems. Series III: Magazine Articles – 1 and ½ Boxes (1954 – 1980) This series houses articles taking from another of periodicals dedicated to science, aviation, and the military. The bulk of the articles are about helicopters, but all aspects of aviation are encompassed. Series IV: Helicopter General Information – 1 and ½ Boxes (1947 – 1980) This series includes information covering on a variety of topics related to helicopters. It includes government reports, marketing documents, material discussing other helicopter associations, and information about various practical applications of helicopters. Series V: Videos – 2 and ½ Boxes (1992 – 1996) This series contains videos for trade and shows and conferences to advertise various models of helicopter. Series VI: Helicopter Models – 14 Models (Undated) This series houses fourteen models of helicopters from the collection of John Slattery. At one time these models were on display in at the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI). They are now on display in the research room of the Special Collections department. Series VII: Photographs – 2 Boxes (1952 – 1971) This series includes photographs of Army and Navy helicopters at work, helicopter crash sites, pilots and ground crew, as well as a photo album of material on Autogiros. Series VIII: Autogiros, Compound Helicopters, and Maintenance – ½ Box (1929 – 1997) This series contains documents and information about the maintenance of Bell and Sikorsky helicopters, experimental helicopter variants, and Admiral Byrd’s use of Autogiros during his Antarctic expedition. Series IX: Artifacts – ½ Box (1952 – 1994) This series contains pins, paperweights, patches, and a balsawood model of an Autogiro (unassembled). 5 Provenance Statement The John Slattery Collection was donated to the History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas, by Jane Slattery in December of 2009. Literary Rights Statement Permission to publish material from this collection in any form, current or future, must be obtained from the Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas. Note to the Researcher It is the researcher's responsibility to secure permission from copyright holders of materials to