The August Kern Aviation Collection contains August Kern, Jr.’s reminisces about early aviation in St. Louis, as well as accompanying photographs showing pilots and planes. The collection includes 11 scrapbook pages and one photocopy of a scrapbook page, as well as the text of a “History of Aviation in St. Louis” presentation that Kern gave in 1968, probably to members of the OX5 Club; the draft of an essay or presentation regarding Kern’s personal experiences; and a 1959 letter to Joseph W. Wecker describing early motors and airplane models. The OX5 Club was limited to pilots who flew planes with the Curtiss OX5 engine prior to 1940. Wecker was the editor of the News of St. Louis Aviation Old Timers newsletter, and the letter was possibly intended for publication in whole or part.

Kern explains how interest in aviation in St. Louis grew among the members of the St. Louis Bicycle Club and then the St. Louis Motorcycle Club, and he describes the first flying field in Forest Park. After World War I, Kern and eight others, including Jules LaGrave and Cloyd Clevenger, bought surplus planes and parts from the Army. After rebuilding these planes, they used them for passenger trips and training lessons. Kern also gives a history of the Cleone Company, which built small, lightweight airplane motors during the 1920s. Ed Hanger, Sr. and Ed Hanger, Jr. served as president and vice president, respectively, with LaGrave as the secretary and Kern himself as the Treasurer. LaGrave is a frequent figure in the collection, and Kern also profiles Clevenger and Col. Roscoe Turner. Airplane models shown and described include the Cardinal plane built by Cleone, the Parks 2 plane, the DH-4B plane, the Jenny plane, and the Gypsy Moth plane. The scrapbook pages also include newspaper clippings, Kern’s member certificate from the Valley Birdmen, and the August 1959 issue of the News of Saint Louis Aviation Old Timers newsletter.