Air Force Historical Research Agency Welcome to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Legacy Vault

DAF Legacy Vault

We are excited to announce the development of a new digital space dedicated to showcasing the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) official archival records. This project highlights the rich and storied history of both the Air Force and Space Force, featuring historical records, artifacts, photographs, audio recordings, video documentation, and archival finding aids.

Although the page is currently under construction, our team is actively working to ensure it becomes a comprehensive and accessible resource for historians, researchers, veterans, and enthusiasts. We aim to make these valuable materials readily discoverable for those seeking insights into the DAF's contributions to our nation's history.

This initiative underscores our commitment to preserving and sharing the official ephemera of the Airmen and Guardians who have shaped the legacy of the skies and beyond. Updates will follow as the project progresses, and we look forward to unveiling more resources soon!

DAF History Publications

The Logbook of Signal Corps No. 1: The U.S. Army's First Airplane
This document is a detailed flight log and technical record maintained by Lieutenant Benjamin D. Foulois during the early testing and development of the U.S. Army's first airplane, Signal Corps No. 1, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, between 1910 and 1911. The logbook meticulously records daily flight data including start and finish times, flight durations, maximum altitudes, glide distances, fuel consumption, and prevailing wind conditions, along with specific propeller performance test data such as full-advance readings of up to 1454 RPM and full-retard values around 1100 RPM. It documents numerous mechanical modifications and troubleshooting efforts—from repairs to engine components, replacement of broken bed plates and truss braces, and the addition of a pioneering tricycle landing gear with small wheels and shock absorbers—to improve takeoff and landing performance. The record also details field experiments at the target range near Leon Springs, Texas, and highlights the contributions of enlisted personnel including Private Glenn R. Madole, Sergeant Stephen J. Idzorek, Sergeant Herbert Marcus, Corporal Vernon L. Burge, and civilian mechanic Oliver G. Simmons, all of whom played key roles in advancing early military aviation techniques.

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