Ken de Russy <<weflyuniv>>
writes:

The sport of hang gliding in the USA has no sanctioned museum. My
hang gliding history preservation work along with my large collection and
extensive library serves as the closest our sport has gotten to something like a
National Hang Gliding Museum. Whenever inquiries about our history or offers to
donate equipment come to the attention of our USHPA office or to our sporting
community they are often referred to me. By now my work is known and well
supported by the hang gliding community both in the USA and abroad. I spoke last
month at the Soaring100 event as one of the "Legends of Hang Gliding" and had
many offers of donations from attendees. Our community is enthusiastic to know
that there is a place for preserving our history and seem to be ever more eager
to see that their artifacts find a home in my collection. To the many of you who
have donated material to the collection let me say thank you. Each of you have
made a huge contribution and deserve credit for what is now a far larger
collection than it might have been without your thoughtful and generous support.

I am still looking for 2 issues of Glider Rider to complete that set. May 1976
Volume 1 #4 and October 1976 Volume 1 #9. My collection of Glider Riders is
short just those two issues. The collection of Whole Air, Hang Gliding, and Joe
Faust's various publications are all complete as are the Paraglide USA and
Paragliding the Magazine sets. I have the first 2 years of the French and German
magazines, a few of the first issues of the UK magazine plus most of 1978, 79,
and 80, donated by Dan Poynter, and a collection of La Mouette Gazette/Cross
Country that is nearly complete. As well I have many years of a couple dozen
different early US newsletters and many other English language publications
including sundry issues of Australian Skysailor and a NZ magazine. There are
about 100 hang gliding specific books plus newspaper and magazine articles
numbering in the hundreds, organized chronologically providing an easily viewed
timeline of the 1960's and 1970's. There are many manuals, plan sets and batten
diagrams. I am doubtful anyone else in the world has assembled such a collection
and assume no one else has done as much. I hope I am wrong and that there are
other comprehensive collections.

I offer a photocopy service for those interested in obtaining copies of any of
this material. The small profit helps me in continuing my hang gliding history
preservation work. It is a joy when I receive a request for some arcane and
obscure material that I am then able to locate and make available. I have had a
small number of occasions to assist research into our history and I encourage
contact for such purposes.

My attention lately has turned more to writing and making good use of the
comprehensive library that has been expanded so much through individual pilot
donations. What I would very much like to have is back issues of "Soaring" from
about 1960 through 1975 as well as any other issues outside that range that
contain articles about hang gliding. Since hang gliding is the oldest form of
heavier-than-air flight, print coverage of it has been present throughout
aviation history in all eras since Lilienthal so it is tempting to seek a larger
range and even expand the search to other aviation publications. But that range
of "Soaring" serves a particular need to enable a fuller understanding of our
history. In the event you have back issues that might be available for donation
I would hope you will remember my work and refer them to me. Should you wish to
assemble any hang gliding library material or if you seek any display gear
please considering contacting me and I would enjoy reciprocating. I would be
happy to supply back issues of most any issues of hang gliding magazines as I
have a large surplus of most issues and other related publications. In many
cases I can provide those surplus items for no more than shipping costs.

Virtually anything connected to hang gliding is of interest to me. Please do not
underestimate the value of even the seemingly insignificant to my historical
preservation work. Just last week I was sent a shipping label from a box used to
ship parts to a dealer in the east. It adds another piece to the puzzle that our
early history is. Here are some items I am looking for - the older the better!;

General categories of items of interest;

Magazines, books, magazine articles, newspaper articles, films, video, slides,
photos, logbooks, autographs (autograph EVERYTHING!), USHGA and club membership
cards, club and regional newsletters, flight diaries and construction notes,
correspondence, receipts, licences, certificates, posters, contest or event
notices, event or club signs, banners, flags, windsocks, imprinted pens, drink
holders, advertising featuring hang gliding, contest programs/rules, x-rays and
damaged parts from crashes/accidents, stolen "No Hang Gliding" signs, old
hardware, instruments, land use and site access documents, leases, waivers,
warrants, tickets, or any legal documents, t-shirts, hats, neckties, jackets,
patches, badges, buttons, plan sets, drawings, artwork, stickers unused or
affixed, postage, awards, toys, board games, puzzles, product brochures and
specifications, catalogs, order and price sheets, batten diagrams, blueprints,
clocks, Christmas ornaments, trophies, plaques, tools, refrigerator magnets,
site guides.

Gliders with record setting or contest winning history or fabricated in 1972 or
earlier or featured in widely publicized events or feature films or owned by
famous or top ranked pilots, celebrities or political figures.

Specific items wanted:

Flap Chaps, Sports Aloft Stall Warning Indicator, Mehil Airspeed Indicator,
Double French Connection, 1976 Hang Ten World Open Hang Gliding Championships
poster, Bennett Back Pack Engine, Mariah Control Bar, 1976 Hang Ten World Open
hang Gliding Championships Poster as well as video copies of any of several
television shows of the event and TV news coverage, back issues of "Soaring"
from about 1960 through 1975 as well as any other issues outside that range that
contain articles about hang gliding.

Please do add written comments and notes to any item. I think very often donors
are reluctant to do so thinking that writing on an object diminishes the value.
I think it actually increases the value and interest as well as adding important
interpretation. Please sign, date, and add some comment, memory or explanation
as to what an item may be connected to. It helps me to understand its
significance in the context of your experience and to know its origins and place
in the larger history. Your willingness to contribute material is invaluable to
the steady growth of the collection. It is very satisfying to see such support
and together we are helping to assure that the history of a great aviation epoch
is preserved for posterity.

Please mail to;

Ken de Russy

6812 Carolina Street

Anacortes, WA 98221

Museum Images: http://tinyurl.com/75oqdhk

Hang Gliding Museum: http://tinyurl.com/89c2n6s

Historic Movies:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=weflyuniv