Lester M. Zinser Papers
Scope and Contents
The Lester M. Zinser Papers contain reports, search logs, hand-drawn and printed maps, sonar search tracks, equipment order forms, video sonar print rolls, correspondence, clippings, and handwritten notes about the searches to locate the NCAR Queen Air N303D aircraft that disappeared on October 28, 1968 over Lake Superior. Mr. Zinser led the NCAR team in the second search in September 1969 for the aircraft and the three men who were on board.
Dates
- Creation: 1968-1982
- Creation: Majority of material found in 1969
- Other: Date acquired: 2005-05-05
Creator
- Zinser, Lester (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection must be viewed in person.
Conditions Governing Use
Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.
Biographical or Historical Information
Lester "Bill" M. Zinser was a research pilot for NCAR for over eighteen years before retiring in January of 1985. He flew research scientists who were studying the atmosphere in a variety of weather situations, including dust storms and monsoons. Before coming to NCAR, Zinser flew B-25s, B-24s and B-29s during World War II. He was inducted into the Western Michigan University's College of Aviation Hall of Honor in 2011 where he had served as the aviation unit's first chief flight instructor (1957) and coached its precision flight team, the Sky Broncos (1958-1966). Sources: Baron, J. (2011). College of Aviation to induct four into Hall of Honor. WMU News. Retrieved from http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2011/05/048.html. NCAR Staff Notes
Full Extent
0.42 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arrangement is by alphabetical order by original folder title.
Physical Access Requirements
The collection must be viewed in the Archives during normal business hours.
Appraisal Information
The Lester M. Zinser Papers collection was minimally processed in March 2012. Duplicate records were removed from the collection.
Accruals and Additions
No accruals or additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processing was completed in March 2012. Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders. Documents were interleaved with acid-free paper as needed. Metal paperclips were removed and replaced with plastic clips. Folded materials were unfolded and flattened when possible. Rolled materials were unrolled and flattened when possible.
- Title
- Lester M. Zinser Papers
- Author
- Krista Stracka
- Date
- 2012
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives Repository