Coleman Primary Flying School - Coleman County, Texas

Information about each class is based primarily on the Class Book of each class. I am still missing a few of these classbooks at this time.
Please contact me if you have any class books, information about any classes or individuals that were in these classes.
I am not sure how many classes there were ... there is some conflicting data. I am adding information to each class from their classbooks, as time permits.

Ralph Terry, November 2008

"Coleman Field, at Coleman, was activated as a contract primary flying school in December 1940. It was operated by the Austin Flying Service.
Flight training began in June 1941. The field was deactivated on November 15, 1944."
(From the Handbook of Texas Online. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Coleman County Historical Commission, History of Coleman County and Its People (2 vols., San Angelo: Anchor, 1985).
Robert E. Hays, Jr., Military Aviation Activities in Texas, World Wars I and II (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1963 - written by Art Leatherwood.)
(I don't know where Texas Handbook got these dates, but it is probable..)

Dates from the "Flight Line" show ... In early 1940, Harry A. Hammill of Austin first conceived the idea of establishing a Civil Contract Primary School in Coleman.
He contacted local attorney Rob O'Hair, who called a joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and the City Commission, who approved the idea.
In March 1941, the voters of Colema approved a $60,000 bond issue for purchase of property. ...
Construction began July 1, 1941 and (many of the buildings) were completed by September 15, 1941.
On October 7, 1941 instuction began. ("History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985.")

Coleman Primary Flying School - Coleman, Texas 1941 - 1945 304th AAFFTD (Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment) 2550th Army Air Force Base Unit (INTRODUCTION AND PICTURE OF FIELD TO BE ADDED) Information about each class is based primarily on the Class Book of each class. I am still missing a few of these classbooks at this time. Please contact me if you have any class books, information about any classes or individuals that were in these classes. I am not sure how many classes there were ... there is some conflicting data. I am adding information to each class from their classbooks, as time permits. *Ralph Terry, November 2008* "Coleman Field, at Coleman, was activated as a contract primary flying school in December 1940. It was operated by the Austin Flying Service. Flight training began in June 1941. The field was deactivated on November 15, 1944." (From the Handbook of Texas Online. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Coleman County Historical Commission, History of Coleman County and Its People (2 vols., San Angelo: Anchor, 1985). Robert E. Hays, Jr., Military Aviation Activities in Texas, World Wars I and II (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1963 - written by Art Leatherwood.) (I don't know where Texas Handbook got these dates, but it is probable..) Dates from the "Flight Line" show ... In early 1940, Harry A. Hammill of Austin first conceived the idea of establishing a Civil Contract Primary School in Coleman. He contacted local attorney Rob O'Hair, who called a joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and the City Commission, who approved the idea. In March 1941, the voters of Colema approved a $60,000 bond issue for purchase of property. ... Construction began July 1, 1941 and (many of the buildings) were completed by September 15, 1941. On October 7, 1941 instuction began. ("History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985.")
Background on Contract Flying Schools			Roger M. Crow, Commander 1942 - 1943
History of the School	General Pictures	Explosion at School	Memories	Today and Those Living

Class of 42-D first class began 7 October 1941	Class of 42-E second class began 6 November 1941	Class of 42-F third class began 22 December 1941	Class of 42-G 42-G began January 22, 1942	Class of 42-H February 1942
Class of 42-I	Class of 42-J May 1942 to July 1942	Class of 42-K in memoriam 6 July 1942	Class of 43-A	Class of 43-B in memoriam 17 August 1942
Class of 43-C	Class of 43-D classbook printed December 1942	Class of 43-E	Class of 43-F cartoon dated 11 January 1943	Class of 43-G
Class of 43-H	Class of 43-I	Class of 43-J completed 28 May 1943	Class of 43-K completed 8 July 1943	Class of 44-A completed 3 August 1943
Class of 44-B completed 6 September 1943	Class of 44-C	Class of 44-D completed 5 November 1943	Class of 44-E	Class of 44-F
Class of 44-G	Class of 44-H	Class of 44-I 44-I was the 28th class	Class of 44-J	Class of 44-K completed 22 June 1944
Class of 45-A	Class of 45-B	Class of 45-C	Class of 45-D	Class of 45-E school was deactivated November 15, 1944
*The Flight Line* 304th AAFFTD (Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment) Coleman Field, Texas Compiled about the same time as the Class of 44-I Compilation of Officers, Instructors, etc., and History of the School The background for the Coleman Flying School pages is taken from a matchbook cover of the school. Below is the back side: "You buy 'em - we'll fly 'em!" Defense Bonds - Stamps