Kingsberry, Bill 2000-07-12
Bill Kingsberry, a resident of Alto, New Mexico, discusses the history of Clint Breedlove and the role he played in regards to the history of aviation in Lubbock, Texas. He also talks about the experiences and issues Clint Breedlove faced with his career in aviation. Throughout the interview his wife Mary Louise Kingsberry, daughter of Clint Breedlove, interjects information as well.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Bill Kingsberry
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 12, 2000
Location: Alto, New Mexico
Interviewer: David Marshall
Length: 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Breedlove, Clent,
b. 1900 in Texas,
Married in Abilene, Texas,
He met his wife at a dance,
Mrs. Breedlove attended Hardin-Simmons ,
Moved to Levelland, Texas,
Worked for his father-in-law at a Ford Agency,
Education in Aviation,
Graduated in 1917 from Randolph Field,
1930’s – opportunity to become the first Airport Manager in Lubbock, Texas,
He lived in Lubbock until 1947,
Moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico,
d. October 1953,
Aviation,
Interest in aviation,
1st charter service in West Texas,
His planes flew in and out of New Mexico,
World War I,
Joined the War,
Great mechanic,
Flying Contracts,
Trained pilots during the war,
CPT training – Civilian Pilot Training program,
Licensed to train pilots under the GI Bill,
Army – Air Force,
Randolph & Kelly fields,
Mail Planes,
Instrumental in helping the U.S. mail routes,
History,
Jackie Cochran,
Good friends,
Lubbock Municipal Airport,
Started working during the Great Depression ,
Apartment,
1 bedroom & 1 bath,
Billy Mitchell,
Characteristics,
Thinking ahead of his time,
Airplane – future weapon of war,
Lubbock Municipal Airport (again),
Reputation for being safety conscious,
Airport was established in the 1920’s,
1st full time Airport,
Lubbock Army Air Field,
Established in 1941,
Career,
After his contract with the Army he established a field in Plainview and Lamesa,
Apple orchard in Idalou, Texas,
29 acres,
Donated apples to the food bank,
2500 trees,
More than 100,000 apples,
Good irrigation system.
Tape 1, Side 2: Civilian Pilot Training (CPT),
Offered to college students who wanted to learn how to fly,
Texas Tech University students,
A Texas Tech Program,
Cadet Program,
Pilots had to take 10 hours in small planes,
If students qualified they would continue further training,
Building/Working on Planes,
1920’s,
Interested in getting his daughter involved,
Mary Louise – flew plane at age 6 or 7,
Lubbock Municipal Airport,
He wanted the Municipal Airport to be a big part of Lubbock,
Promoted mail planes,
Mail pilots,
Mrs. Breedlove,
Story,
A plane could not see the airport and could not land,
She flashed car lights at the end of the runway,
She was credited for saving a lot of lives,
No permanent lights were on the runway,
1940’s,
Career,
Retired from flying during the war,
Gave all of his time to training,
Early supporter of passenger travel ,
Promoted airlines to make Lubbock a regular stop,
Flew people around the city of Lubbock for two dollars,
1st passenger travel was in the 1940’s,
Charter service.
Range Dates: 1900-1953
Bulk Dates: 1920-1950
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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