Welcome to September's Aviation Collector Auction! This auction will feature aviation memorabilia from the collection of famed aviator Walter E. Ohlrich (Capt. USN, Ret.) and others. Flight Helmets, Flight Suits, patches, factory models, Flight Jackets, gear, instruments and more! We'll be adding photos and descriptions of the lots daily, so please check back often! Remember the auction is "as is/where is" with no returns allowed - please check out the multiple photos and description before bidding. Lots of good items, bid early, bid often, bid high and good luck!...more

The the son of a pioneer aviator and WWII USAAF pilot, Walter Ohlrich was exposed to aviation early in life. He soloed at age 16 in a PT-17 Stearman and obtained a pilots license at age 17. Ohlrich joined the U.S. Navy and bacame a fighter pilot during the transition era from prop to jet aircraft. He served a 33 year military career which included being a flight instructor, production test pilot and A-4 Skyhawk Project officer at the Douglas Co., a Pentagon tour and 3 A-4 Shyhawk squadrons, one combat tour flying A4s aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid in Viet Nam and later commanded Attack Squadron 95 aboard the U.S.S. Shangri-La. Captain Ohlrich retired in 1978 as Commander of the Nuclear Weapons Training Group, Atlantic, after having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, 5 Air medals and the Meritorious Service Medal. Concurrently with the Navy career, Walter remained active in civilian flying, owning several airplanes along the way. In 1964 he participated in the renewed Unlimited Air Races in Reno, Nevada, flying an F-8 Bearcat in the pylon races until 1971. Also raced in the Los Angeles Air Races in Lancaster, California in 1965 and 1966, and the Las Vegas Unlimited Air Races. In 1968, Ohlrich raced his F8F in the Harolds Club Transcontinental Trophy Dash from Milwaukee to Reno, and also flew acrobatics in weekend air shows in California with his Bearcat. In the spring of 1965, Walter founded the "Warbirds of America", an aviation organization dedicated to the preservation and flying of WWII and other ex-military aircraft, serving as the group's first president. The "Warbirds", a name he coined in 1965, has grown to a worldwide movement and the term "Warbird" has become synonymous with vintage and military aircraft. Subsequent to Navy retirement, Captain Ohlrich co-authourd a book titled "Pilot Maker" - the story of the T-6 "Texan". As the owner of an SNJ-5, have remained a strong supporter of the Warbirds, CAF, Valiant Air Command and antique aircraft activities. Up to recently he contributed flight safety articles for the Warbirds and NATA magazines, and have served on the Reno Air Race Contest Committee for the past 18 years. In Virginia he served as fly-in chairman for EAA Chapter 330 for 10 years. In 1995, Ohlrich was inducted into the EAA Warbirds Hall of Fame, partly for his involvement with the Reno Races of about 25 years total. In addition, after USN retirement, he flew 3 seasons with Barnstormers Airshows and 5 years skytyping with the 6 plane Skytyper Squadron, sponsored by the Miller Brewing Co. Until a year ago he was a volunteer pilot for the Virginia Beach Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach and the Fighter Factory in Suffolk Va, flying the A-1, FG-1D Corsair and the P-40E Kittyhawk in airshows and USN Legacy flights. In November 2006, he was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. Now semi-retired after 70+ years of flying, he is down-sizing his collection, with items from his father, his career and friends mementos. Don't miss this opportunity to pick up unique items from this well-known aviator! ...more