US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

W.A. Allen aka Bill Allen :: HG photographer

A significant trace in the modern renaissance of hang gliding has been that of W.A. Allen. One will be enriched by following his story and gifts. His blessings continue to imbue our sport. Any part of his trace is welcome in this topic thread. Bill does not always get the byline for many of his photographs, unfortunately; we would be glad to help remedy such, as possible. And his contemporary story is not known to me.

Starting: A clip from May 23, 1971, where we see Bill on the field lens loaded:

Then a typical byline:

Seeking:
1. W.A. Allen --- his life story
2. All his hang gliding published words.
3. All photographs published in hang gliding community.
4. He had a column in Eipper-formance newsletter, as I recall.
5. He had a challenge regarding the numbering of editions of Low & Slow.
6. His works showed in Low & Slow, Ground Skimmer, Popular _________ (maybe several).
7. A sense of disappearance seems to have occurred, in my personal sense.
8. He may have the best set of unpublished photographs regarding 1971-1975 hang gliding in Southern California. Will such collection ever be published?
9. Some of his photographs were published in books. What books and what photographs?

Bill Liscomb told me that when he was working on Big Blue Sky he contacted Bill Allen. For some unexplained reason Bill Allen rebuffed Bill Liscomb and wouldn't help him at all. He said that Bill Allen was very short and discourteous when they talked. Liscomb was very surprised by this reaction especially since Bill Allen used a photo of Bill Liscomb flying on his business card for some time.

So the latter day Bill Allen is a mystery at this time. But his recording and publishing of the beginning and evolution of modern sport hang gliding is unquestionably of great significance.

FC