Charles “Chuck” J Graham
Born February 21^st 1923 ~ Died September 18^th 2001

Items in section 1 of this sale are from the estate of Charles “Chuck” Graham.  The following is excerpted from a Resume written by Mr. Charles Graham on January 10^th 1994 and serves here as his autobiography which will be sold as part of lot #103.

After graduating high school in CA in 1941 Charles Graham enrolled in Santa Monica JR College by day and began working evenings at Douglas Aircraft as a sheet metal mechanic.  In 1942 he enlisted in the aviation cadet program of the US Army Air Corp. 

From 1944 to 1945 he was assigned to the 9^th Air Force in England and participated in the subsequent battles in France and Germany where he received several decorations.

 In 1947 after receiving a Federal Aviation Agency Instrument License and a Commercial Multi engine and single engine license he was employed by North American Aviation as a utility pilot.  In 1948 he became Captain of an Air Force C-47 leased by North American, and flew personal and high priority parts to Holliman Air Force base, New Mexico., supporting a rocket test program.  After the rocket program was terminated he became a production test pilot, flying the T-6, T-28, F-86 and B-45 Aircraft.

 In 1950 he was transferred to public relations as a customer relations test pilot representative.  The majority of the companies customers where mostly military.  He continued flying test programs for production, electronic and engineering flight tests.  He eventually became executive director of his department. 

In 1966 when North American Aviation and Rockwell Standard merged he was assigned to the aerospace group and began coordinating corporate interface with the astronauts, planning and managing the participation of corporate executives and guests to the Apollo Moon Launch, landing and recovery program.

By 1982 the name of his department became Special Projects and Charles became Director reporting directly to the Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In 1988 after 41 years of service Charles retired after progressing from a relatively low paying job through the technical aspects of transport/test flying to a high paying executive position reporting to a senior vice president and Chief Executive officer.  He amassed over 6000 hours in flying time in the military and with Rockwell International.  He is listed in the Who is Who in Aviation and Aerospace 1983, was a member of the Aero Club of Southern California, The Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The Society of Experimental Test Pilots, An Honorary member of the Doolittle Raiders Association, The SU Air Force Thunderbird Alumni Association, Than National Aeronautical Association, Aircraft Owners and Test Pilots Association, Life member of the Air Force Association, The Navy League, and The Naval Institute.

The Below information relates to the NAA models to be sold in this sale.

FRANK G. COMPTON, PRELIMINARY DESIGN SPECIALIST, NAA
The following letter printed below was sent to us by Frank G. Compton, who worked with Chuck Graham as a preliminary design specialist at North American Aviation, Los Angeles Aircraft Division. He continued to work at NAA for over 29 years (1940-1970), where he eventually became the vice president of marketing, NAA Division Operations. This letter is on file at the auction house.

  Charlie Graham was hired by N.A.A. in the early ‘50s. His job description was transport pilot and he flew NAA’s DC-3 from L.A. to Edwards AFB and other locations daily. In the late ‘50s, he was assigned to the corporate office, reporting directly to company president Dutch Kindelberger as corporate pilot. He flew executive level personnel to widespread destinations across the country. He was qualified to fly all company transport aircraft and most of the production aircraft ie: T-28s, P-510s, B-25 Saberliners, F-86s and others.
             When Lee Atwood took over the chief executive officer spot, Charlie was promoted to manager of corporate customer relations and was responsible for making high level military contacts and coordinated most all of the military contacts at low-rank levels. He operated a military operations center on the field at NAA’s Inglewood (L.A.) facility. Here he greeted operational pilots who flew various NAA aircraft in for special services, etc. Military ferry pilots also used this facility.
            Chuck had approval signature for all display models built in NAA’s model shop, which was adjacent to the wind tunnel model shop. The principle model maker was Ambrose Hope. Models made from 1/30 to 1/10 scale were built in his shop.
             In the role of manager, corporate customer relations, Charlie Graham gave briefings on NAA products to all levels of the military and made model presentations where required. For example, Lee Atwood, Ed Schmued, or myself would request a model to be given to Admiral X or General XX. Charlie would direct the wind tunnel model shop to construct a 1/20” scale poplar or mahogany model with proper markings, etc, and would have it sent to the person’s office, ship at sea, or sometimes his home.  
            Further, Charlie would organize NAA’s presentation for 8-10 large meetings or shows each year. Example: see enclosed 8” x 10” photo of a large model of the A3J-1 (1/6 scale) at the Las Vegas AF Gunnery meet in Las Vegas. The industry, about 15 A/C contractors would rent space to show off their proposal concept or design for their forthcoming long range interceptor competition.
            Charlie had the personality and the smarts to organize and manage such an event….

Cheers,
            Frank Compton