Author: VULTEE AIRCRAFT - Aviation Manufacturing Corporation ( publisher ) - Major Maurice THEIS - Belgian Airforce ( recipient ) :
Title: Vultee Vanguard Pursuit. Special report for the Kingdom of Belgium. This copy presented to Major Theis.
Description: 14. Downey, CA, Vultee Aircraft, Division of Aviation Manufacturing Corporation, s.d. (1939 - 1940 ?) , oblong in-4° album , 28 x 35 cm, ring binding with blue cloth boards decorated with the Vultee trademark. Title page + 2 maps + 1 table + 10 original photographs 28 x 35 cm, (mounted on stiff board) + 1 smaller photograph ( group of 6 persons in front of the aircraft ). Well preserved album. From the presentation and contents we conclude that this album was presented to Major Theis of the Belgian Airforce to accompany a possible tender for the Model 61 Vultee Vanguard Pursuit, equipped with a Pratt & Whitney S3C4-G (100 Octane) engine. The photos show a Vultee 48 with the registration number NX21755. This is the same aircraft as shown in the W.T.Larkins Collection N° 3035 and N°9264. From Dutch historical sources (dare.uva.nl/document/145622 ; pp. 259) we know that the US government lifted the export ban on these aircrafts at the beginning of 1940 and that the Dutch government showed some purchase interest. Here we have proof that its neighbour , the Kingdom of Belgium, also took steps in that direction. Major Maurice Louis Justin Theis, a senior pilot/officer in the Belgian Airforce, promoted to the rank of major in 1940, was one of the recipients of this aircraft presentation album, specially made for the Belgians (It shows e.g. a map of Europe with the range of the fighter set out from the belgian capital Brussels). Major Maurice Theis ( Heinsch, Luxembourg 26-01-1894 - +?) acquired his pilot's licence on 20-10-1925. We also found out that he flew a lap of honour for the Belgian Airforce at Valenciennes (France) on September 1st 1929 for the inauguration of the monument for Charles Nungesser, French pilot ace of the First World War. ( Belgian history , second world war , airforce , aviation , original photographs ). .

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