RVNH40458 Clifton Woodrum
Congressman Clifton Woodrum, Sr. stands in front of his Fairchild 24. Woodrum soloed in 1942
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
Lanier Woodrum
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RVNH40458
RVNH40455 Navy Cadets
Class of Navy aviation cadets in front of a C-47 at Woodrum Field.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
13 March 1944
Nelson Harris
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RVNH40455
RVNH40424 E.H. St. Clair
Lt. E.H. St. Clair of Roanoke is shown in the cockpit of his flying fortress, "The Roanoke Magician", in England. He was a veteran of over 30 combat attacks and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
unknown
N&W Magazine
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1945
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RVNH40424
RVNH40274 Military Aircraft
Military airplane at Woodrum Field. Left to right: Lawrence Hall, Buddy Wingfield, and Raymond Hall.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1945
Raymond Hall
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RVNH40274
RVNH4043 Navy Pilot Cadets
A class of Navy pilot cadets pose in front of a Douglas C-47 at Woodrum Field. Ground school was conducted at Roanoke College.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
13 March 1944
Nelson Harris
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RVNH4043
RVNH4042 Frantz Flying Service
Frantz Flying Service opened in 1948 at Woodrum Field. It was owned by T.E. "Boots" Frantz (right); Wes Hillman (left) was an employee.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1948
Nelson Harris
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RVNH4042
RVNH4033 C-47
A Douglas C-47 takes off from Woodrum Field.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1946
Wes Hillman
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RVNH4033
RVNH4029 Woodrum Field
Looking toward Tinker Mountain from Woodrum Field.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
November 1947
Marshall Harris
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RVNH4029
RVNH4026 Mason-Dixon Airlines
A Mason-Dixon Airlines passenger plane at Woodrum Field.
unknown
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Roanoke Public Libraries
30 March 1947
Marshall Harris
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RVNH4026
Davis2 62.152 Roanoke Regional Airport
A view of the terminal at Woodrum Field, now Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1965
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negative
Still Image
Davis2-62.152
Davis2 62.1521 Frantz, Boots
T.E. "Boots" Frantz with his plane.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1940
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negative
Still Image
Davis2-62.1521
Davis 62.143 Reynolds, Frank
Frank Reynolds with his plane.
George C Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
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negative
Still Image
Davis62.143
Davis 62.1401 Anchor Post Fence
Anchor Post Fence Company plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
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negative
Still Image
Davis62.1401
Davis 62.133 AA Mail Plane
American Airlines airmail plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
18 July 1934
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negative
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Davis62.133
Davis 62.1312 VPA Biplane
Volunteer Pilots Association Waco biplane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1930
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negative
Still Image
Davis62.1312
Davis 62.124 Biplane
Clayton Lemon (left) and an unidentified man stand next to a Waco aircraft.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1930
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negative
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Davis62.124
Davis 62.123 Biplane
An unidentified man poses next to a biplane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
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negative
Still Image
Davis62.123
Davis 62.121 Biplane
Clayton Lemon poses next to a biplane.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1928
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negative
Still Image
Davis62.121
RAC77 VANG Ad
An advertisement for the Rice Bottling Company depicting the Virginia Air National Guard Fighter Squadron.Organized in 1946, the Virginia Air National Guard flew the P-47 Thuderbolt.
Circa 1946
RAC77
RAC71 Marine Corps
Aircraft from the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point , North Carolina are lined up at Woodrum Field during the hurricane evacuation in September 1945.
1 September 1945
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC71
RAC70 Piedmont Airlines
This unusual photograph illustrates the increased traffic of Piedmont Airlines in and out of Roanoke and the transition from propeller aircraft to jets. The prop aircraft landing is a Martin 4-0-4; the aircraft at lower left is a Nihon YS-11; and the jet (upper right) is a Boeing 737. Almost lost in the shuffle is a twin-tail Cessna Skymaster, visible beyond the nose of the Martin 4-0-4.
1 January 1970
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC70
RAC54 Landmark Aviation
This building houses the fixed-base operation (FBO) of Landmark Aviation at the Roanoke Regional Airport. FBOs have evolved from very simple operations to full-service onces that provide fuel, maintenance, pilot support services and more. The Roanoke airport has a long history of FBOs, beginning with Clayton Lemon's operation in 1930.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC54
RAC53 Virginia Airmotive
This is an advertisement for Virginia Airmotive Service and Supply, a business owned and operated by W. Clayton Lemon at Woodrum Field. The aircraft are identified as a Beechcraft (left) and a Stinson (right).
Circa 1950
Courtesy of Donna Jean Sweeney Anger
RAC53
RAC50 Woodrum Flying Service
An advertisement for Woodrum Flying Service, which offered flying lessons, charters, and rentals.
Circa 1950
RAC50
RAC49 USAF C97
This photograph shows a US Air Force Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter parked on the ramp at Woodrum Field. Only sixty of these planes were built. The Roanoke airport has been and remains important to the military subce World War II, either for training, refueling, or as a hurricane evacuation site for coastal bases, not to mention its proximity to Washington, DC.
1 February 1967
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC49
RAC48 American Airlines
American Airlines restored air service, notably passenger and airmail, to Woodrum Field in the 1940s. This photograph appears to have been taken at Woodrum during World War II. The statement painted on the rudder of this DC-3 reads, "Buy War Bonds".
Circa 1942
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC48
RAC44 Landmark Aviation
This photograph shows a privately owned, fully restored DC-3 being refueled by Landmark Aviation at Roanoke Regional Airport. The appearance of such a vintage aircraft in restored, flying condition has become increasingly rare with limited air shows now available to the public.
21 October 2013
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC44
RAC43 Playboy
This DC-9 was purchased by Hugh Heffner in 1970 as the Playboy airplane, known as Hare Force One.
1973
RAC43
RAC42 Eastern DC3
An Eastern Airlines DC-3, part of the "Great Silver Fleet" takes off from Woodrum Field.
1948
RAC42
RAC37 Civil Air Patrol
A Cessna 172, one of 500 Cessna aircraft owned by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is seen here. These aircraft are rotated periodically among active stations, including Roanoke Regional Airport. The CAP was established in 1941 to serve as a civilian resource during World War II, including anti-submarine surveillance along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Wes Hillman was a charter member of CAP; Roanoke's chapter dates back to 1942. In 1947, the CAP became an auxiliary of the US Air Force and remains so today. Its purpose is civil air defense, aviation education and flight training. Since 2001, it has taken on duties associated with the Department of Homeland Security.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC37
RAC26 Cannaday, Charles
This photo is of Charles "Chuck" Cannaday, grandson of Dr. A.A. Cannaday who once owned the land where the Roanoke Regional Airport is located today. He is pictured in his Pitts special "Cloud Dancer". This airplane was the star of the movie by the same name. Cannaday lived at Waverly, the Cannaday homeplace as a boy.
unknown
Courtesy of Chuck Cannaday.
RAC26
RAC23 Military Aircraft
Unknown military aircraft.
unknown
unknown
RAC23
RAC22 Stearman
A 1942 Stearman bi-plane is parked on the south ramp at Roanoke Regional Airport. The tower stands in the background. Restoration of these vintage planes has allowed new generations to relive aviation history. Such planes used to be seen regularly at airport appreciation days, but security concerns have eliminated such events locally and around the nation.
1 October 2012
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC22
RAC21 Air Force One
Roanoke Regional Airport was host to this Boeing 757, and on that date the aircraft was designated as "Air Force One" because President Barack Obama was on board. Air Force One pilots have often used Roanoke Regional Airport as a site for "touch and go" exercises due to the airport's proximity to the nation's capital.
13 July 2012
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC21
RAC20 C-17 Globemaster
With Tinker Mountain as a backdrop, a C-17 Globemaster sits on the north ramp at Roanoke Regional Airport. This aircraft, one of the US Air Force's largest transport planes, has significant operational flexibility.
1 September 2011
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC20
RAC19 Private Aircraft
Unknown private aircraft
unknown
unknown
RAC19
RAC17 Piedmont Airlines
This promotional photograph shows a Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727. Piedmont began using the 727 in January of 1967 in Roanoke. The following year, Piedmont placed the Boeing 737 into service in Roanoke.
1967
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC17
RAC13 Hillman, Wes
Wes Hillman sits in his Waco "F" in front of the terminal at Woodrum Field. At left is a Pan American DC-4 (most likely a charter, as Pan Am did not serve Roanoke). A Piedmont Airlines DC-3 can be seen in the distance at right.
1961
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard
RAC13
RAC12 Piedmont Airlines
January 1967 saw the introduction of the Boeing 727 by Piedmont Airlines to its routes. The first 727 to visit Woodrum Field is seen here. Just a few months earlier, in November 1966, Piedmont Airlines had opened routes through Roanoke to New York. Piedmont began providing passenger service to Roanoke in 1948.
1967
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC12
RAC11 Woodrum Field
The progress made at Woodrum Field is seen here in 1971. Among the facilities shown are the terminal dedicated in 1953, the nose-in hangar (left of center, top), general aviation hangars and the service hangar for Piedmont Airlines (upper right). Also illustrated here is the parking needed to support the growth of commercial aviation. An Eastern Airlines DC-9 waits on the ramp.
1971
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC11
RAC9 Airport Dedication
Many types of military aircraft were present in Roanoke at the dedication of the airport. Among them were the Douglas B-23 Dragon (left) and the Douglas B-18 (right).
13 October 1941
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard
RAC9
RAC8 First Flight
The first flight of an aeroplane in the Roanoke Valley occurred at the Great Roanoke Fair, when aviator Eugene Ely flew his Curtiss Pusher biplane from a hill in South Roanoke. Ely flew across the Roanoke River and circled the fairgrounds, where he landed, having made a half-mile flight.
22 September 1910
Courtesy of Nelson Harris
RAC8
RAC4 Woodrum, Martha
Martha Anne Woodrum displays her trophy for winning a trancontinental air race in 1950. She and her Beechcraft Bonanza were sponsered by Johnson-Carper Furniture of Roanoke.
1950
Courtesy of Wes Hillman
RAC4
RAC1 Mason, George H.
An early Roanoke aviator who used flight for commercial success was George H. Mason, shown here in 1929 with his Waco. Mason sold textbooks throughout Virginia, the Carolinas, George and Florida. He would circle a town, drawing attention, and then land near schoolyards to take book orders, often addressing the awestruck students. In an advertisement for Waco aircraft, Mason was profiled and the company boasted, "The value of a Waco as an Aid to Mr. Mason's sales is reflected in his record. He consistently leads the entire sales force of his company. He profits by prestige gained through use of his Waco...by his ability to cover more territory, more frequently and in less time.
1929
Courtesy of Henry Mason
RAC1
Davis 62.18 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
Plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
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Photograph
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Davis62.18
Davis 62.17 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
Mayor Sidney F. Small (left) and pilot B.A. Carpenter at the inauguration of Roanoke's passenger air service by American Airlines.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
10 January 1936
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Photograph
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Davis62.17
Davis 62.161 Baltimore Airways
An unidentified couple poses next to a Baltimore Airways plane in front of the Cannaday Farm. The Cannaday Farm would become Roanoke Municipal Airfield, then in 1941 Woodrum Field. It is the current location of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1936
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Photograph
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Davis62.161
Davis 62.15 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
View of Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1940
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Photograph
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Davis62.15
Davis 62.14 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
View of Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
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Photograph
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Davis62.14
Davis 62.134 AA Mail Plane
American Airlines Airmail plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
18 July 1934
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Photograph
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Davis62.134
Davis 62.1 Modern Air Transport
Modern Air Transport plane parked at Woodrum Field. Modern Are Transport commenced commerical operations in 1946.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1946
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Photograph
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Davis62.1