Integral to this Collection is the biography page for Lee Willey, which itself exhibits 60 photographs, documents and artifacts that illustrate the chronology of Willey's career in aviation. Please direct your browser to his link to learn about one of the Register's most interesting and accomplished, yet little-known, pilots.

The following exhibits 13 documents and images from his early career. I have included a few images that he collected early from various unidentified places, not necessarily related to his own transport flying.

Below, left to right, Gladys Willey, Lee, and his sister Nona. Son Selwyn in front. The date of this photo is estimated as 1927-28. Lee was an employee of the Aero Corporation of California ("Aero") and wears his wings on his necktie. Note also the Sheriff's badge on his belt. Click his biography, above, to learn more about the badge.

Gladys & Lee Willey & Son Selwyn, Sister Nona, Ca. 1927-28

Aero conferred wings on each of its pilots. Click here to see a bracelet made from the wings you see above. Aero became the parent company of Standard Air Lines late in 1927. Willey became a pilot for that line. See his biography page, linked above, for further details on his experience with Aero, Standard and other airlines he flew for during his career.

Below, an extraordinarily clear photograph of Fokker Universal NC3317 in Standard Air Lines livery. This was a primary liner for Standard, landing at Tucson 95 times between December, 1927 and March, 1930. As well, it was the airplane that Willey flew to Tucson most often (37 of his 44 total landings). Another image of it is here.

Fokker Universal NC3317, Ca. 1927-30

Below, a port side view of NC3317. What appears to be one of Aero Corporation's Alexander Eaglerocks is in the near background.

Fokker Universal NC3317, Ca. 1927-30

French Visa, 1929, Front

After his work with Standard, on March 15, 1929, he set sail for Tahiti with a French visa.  He was employed as a pilot by a French company, which grew cocoa, to carry executives to their plantations.  His job was supposed to last a year, with his wife joining him once he was settled, but he stayed only through April. At left and below, the French visa for his trip.

An unsourced and undated news article (but probably near 3/15/29) documenting his plans for the South Pacific is on his biography page linked above.

French Visa, 1929

French Visa, 1929

Below, the inside and outside of Willey's Air Transport License, validated April 9, 1930 and July 27, 1934.

Lee Willey, Transport License, Outside

This license would have been current sometime during Willey's flight duties with Mid-Continent Air Express and Eastern Airlines.

Lee Willey, Transport License, Inside

Lee Willey's Mechanic's License, 1939

At right, Lee Willey's Mechanic's License with an expiration date of October 31, 1939.

Lee Willey Air Transport License, 1952

Although not really an "early career" document, Lee Willey's 1952 Air Transport Pilot License is interesting to compare to the one from twenty years earlier, above. At left is his license dated February 25, 1952. A certificated pilot to the end, Willey passed away just three months later on May 26, 1952.

Today, pilot certificates are issued for the life of the pilot, with currency requirements established to maintain the flying privileges specified on the certificate.

The following images are in no particular chronological order, or are they primarily related to Lee Willey's early career. It is not known why Lee Willey had them and they are exhibited simply as representitive of other candid photographs saved by him.

The image below is notable for the gaggle of aircraft visible. Front and center is a Lockheed Vega. Although there is no identification number readable, it is probably Amelia Earhart's NC7952. There appear to be long range tanks installed, as the windows are covered over. The paint striping is characteristic of Earhart's airplane also.

A Medley of Aircraft

To the left of the Vega is a Register airplane, Fairchild NC2K. To the right of the Vega is the autogiro known as Miss Champion (NC11609, not a Register aircraft). Note the turned up left wingtip and the rotor extending from the right toward the Vega. The stick is forward and the rudder is hard right. This autogiro still exists on display at the Experimental Aircraft Museum in Oshkosh, WI. A video of the craft in the air is at this link.

The vertical stabilizer of a Stinson is visible behind the autogiro, with a State of Pennsylvania registration insignia on the fuselage just in front of the horizontal stabilizer. Behind the Stinson there is what appears to be a Monocoupe with the number "98" on the fuselage. I have researched several places and can find no event that would cause the juxtaposition of these aircraft. Does anyone have any CLUES?

Below, is NR796W (not a Register airplane), the Bellanca Skyrocket Miss Veedol. Please direct your browser to this link for a brief history of this airplane. The pilot of this airplane was Hugh Herndon.

Bellanca Skyrocket NR796W, Miss Veedol

Below, , NX211, the Spirit of St. Louis owned by Charles Lindbergh. The date and location of this image are unknown, but, from the overcoats and the snow on the ground, it was probably during the winter of 1927-28.

The Spirit of St. Louis, Ryan NX211

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UPLOADED: 07/08/09 REVISED: