Authentic Action-packed Flyboys Logbooks Available for Public Viewing at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

(October 12, 2006) - The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park is proud to announce the conservation of a significant historical document relevant to today’s popular culture. Recently, the Library and Archives undertook the process of restoring and digitizing two logbooks of the Lafayette Escadrille 103rd Pursuit Squadron from World War One. The project is to be completed and the books open to the public on October 15, 2006.

The legendary Lafayette Escadrille squadron is depicted in the new Hollywood blockbuster, Flyboys. The movie recounts the heroics of a group of young American volunteers who joined the French military before America's official involvement in World War I, becoming the first fighter pilots of the war. When America entered the War in 1917, the remaining pilots and aircraft from the Lafayette Escadrille were re-designated the 103rd Pursuit Squadron from which these logbooks were written.

Acquired by the Museum in 1994, the logbooks record the day-to-day lives and combat details of the members of the 103rd Squadron. One of the books is dated from June 1, 1918 to December 15, 1918 and contains notes, flights, and kills. The other, dated from February 19, 1918 to March 19, 1919 is a diary of patrols and other activities.

The Museum’s Library and Archives is the third largest in the nation housing collections from many San Diego history making industries as Consolidated/Convair, Ryan Aeronautical, Pacific Southwest Airlines, and the personal papers of leading aviators. To visit the Library and Archives please call 619-234-8291 x 25 for an appointment.