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 Summary

This collection traces Preece's engineering work with WAC, and includes the following types of materials: correspondence, memos, technical drawings, minutes of meetings from both the WAC Gear Committee and the American Society of Tool Engineers, descriptions of various projects and equipment, photographs, reports, catalogues, brochures, manuals, notebooks, and personnel information.

 Biographical / Historical

Eric Preece was an engineer with the Wright Aeronautical Corporation (WAC) of Paterson, New Jersey, a company involved in the engineering development of the mass production of cylinder heads for WAC air-cooled engines for Boeing B-29 bombers during World War II. Mr. Preece served as the manager of Experimental Manufacturing prior to his promotion to Production Manager of WAC's Plant 7 in 1943. He was also an active member of the American Society of Tool Engineers, serving as the Public Relations Chairman and later as chapter president.

 Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0502

Creator

Preece, Eric

Date

1933-1944

Provenance

Unknown (Eric Preece?)

Extent

4.4 Cubic feet (8 records center boxes; 1 flatbox)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection traces Preece's engineering work with Wright Aeronautical Corporation (WAC), and includes the following types of materials: correspondence, memos, technical drawings, minutes of meetings from both the WAC Gear Committee and the American Society of Tool Engineers, descriptions of various projects and equipment, photographs, reports, catalogues, brochures, manuals, notebooks, and personnel information.

Arrangement note

This collection is arranged into six series: Series I: Professional Materials Series II: Material Related to Notebooks Series III: Material Related to Business Practices Series IV: Drawings Series V: Miscellaneous Material Series VI: Oversized Material

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Eric Preece Engine Collection, Acc. XXXX-0502, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Airplanes

World War, 1939-1945

Wright Cyclone 18 (R-3350) 18-cyl radial engine family

Aeronautics

Airplanes -- Motors

Airplanes -- Design and construction

Aeronautics, Military

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Notebooks

Correspondence

Photographs

Reports

Memoranda

Drawings

Manuals

Catalogs

Brochures