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Andrew Fodor Personal Papers

 Collection
Identifier: SDASM-SC-10050

Scope and Contents

The collection contains Andrew Fodor's personal collection of papers, letters and photos primarily relates to his involvement in the Mutual Aircraft Service. The papers and letters relate primarily to Mutual's aircraft and financial problems. The older photo's subject matter involves Mutual's aircraft factory and the Blackbird. The newer color photos detail the restoration of the Blackbird at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.

Dates

  • 1904 - 1951

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Biographical / Historical

Andrew Fodor was born in 1904 to John S. and Clara Fodor. He spent most of his early life in Connecticut farming. On September 18, 1929, Fodor received his diploma from Sweeney Aviation School in Kansas City, Missouri in Mechanical and Flying. In 1928 Alfred Fefelle founded the Mutual Aircraft Service in Kansas City and was looking for investors. Fodor decided to become one of the primary investors in Mutual Aircraft, along with his brothers. Mutual produced only one airplane, The Blackbird designed by Frank Bellanca. Unfortunately, the depression hit and Mutual Aircraft Service went bankrupt. The Blackbird crash landed on Fodor's farm in 1931 and was placed in a barn until it was discovered in 1995. Fodor's descendants donated the airplane to the San Diego Aerospace Museum, where it was restored. Andrew Fodor died August 7, 1951 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut.

Extent

0.41 Cubic Feet (One Box )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains Andrew Fodor's personal collection of papers, letters and photos primarily relates to his involvement in the Mutual Aircraft Service.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Related Materials

O'Dwyer, William, "Biplane in a Barn", Flight Journal. December 1999. Steinberg, Jon, "Historic biplane under Restoration." The Daily Californian. 20 August 1999: AS. Stewart, Chuck. "Oh No, Not Another Biplane in a Barn Story." Pacific Flyer. January 2002.

*photocopies of articles located in subject vertical files

Title
The Descriptive Finding Guide for Andrew Fodor Personal Papers
Author
Alan Renga
Date
12/03/2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository

Contact:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)