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Martin Aircraft Company Photograph Collection

Creator:
Glenn L. Martin Company  Search this
Names:
Glenn L. Martin Company  Search this
Martin, Glenn L., 1886-1955  Search this
Extent:
119.9 Cubic feet (110 records center boxes)
114.4 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Manuals
Date:
1932-1972
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of 84 cubic feet of negatives and 22 cubic feet of photographs chronicling the history of the Martin Company, including the following subjects: aircraft plants; historical themes; people; aircraft programs: historic, US Army, US Navy, civilian export; experimental or projected designs; research and development programs; structures and materials; manufacturing processes; space tools; nuclear power programs; missile programs; and space programs. The collection also contains photograph log books which have information about the images.
Biographical / Historical:
The Martin Company was founded by aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin during World War I. Martin was mainly a producer of military airplanes for the US Army, Air Force, and Navy. Martin has also built several commercial types, including the model M130 Clipper, with which Pan American Airways opened transpacific commercial air service. Since the 1950s, Martin has been active in the development and production of a wide variety of rocket, missile and space programs, including lifting-body vehicles. Martin was also a pioneer in nuclear power units for remote sites.
General:
This collection also contains 26 photo logs and tech manuals.
Provenance:
Martin Marietta Aero and Naval Systems, 1989, 1989-0141, Unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
Martin Model 130 Clipper  Search this
Aircraft industry  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Manuals
Identifier:
NASM.1989.0141
See more items in:
Martin Aircraft Company Photograph Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg29d05a3cf-e0bd-4db3-af6f-7c71d550e1c7
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1989-0141

Flying army the modern air arm of the U.S. Army by W. E. Butterworth

Author:
Butterworth, W. E (William Edmund) 1929-  Search this
Subject:
United States Army Aviation  Search this
Physical description:
196 p illustrations, ports 27 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1971
Topic:
Armed Forces--Aviation  Search this
Call number:
UG633 .B98
UG633.B98
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_10396

The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 Collection

Topic:
The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17
Creator:
Brownstein, Herb  Search this
Names:
United States. Army Air Forces  Search this
United States. Army Air Forces. 19th Bombardment Group  Search this
United States. Army Air Forces. 19th Bombardment Group. 14th Bombardment Squadron  Search this
United States. Army. Air Corps  Search this
Kurtz, Frank  Search this
Smith, Weldon H.  Search this
Extent:
1 Cubic foot (3 boxes)
Container:
Box 4
Box 5
Box 6
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Diaries
Photographs
Maps
Reports
Manuscripts
Publications
Interviews
Correspondence
Date:
1939-1943
Summary:
The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 Collection consists of materials collected during research by Herbert Brownstein, the author.
Scope and Content:
This collection consists of materials collected by author Herbert Brownstein during his research for the book The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17. Fifty-four of the images collected were used in the book. These images feature the aircraft, its crew, its insignia, air fields where it was stationed and maps of the flights of The Swoose. Mr. Brownstein collected approximately six hundred additional photographs from former crew members and other sources which were not used in the book. Included among these are images of air bases including Milne Bay, New Guinea; Marreba, Australia; Clark Field, Philippine Islands; Port Moresby, New Guinea; Del Monte, Philippine Islands; Randolph, Texas; Wheeler, Hawaii; Brooks, Texas; and Kelly, Texas. Aircraft featured include the Bell P-39, Douglas C-47, Boeing B-17B, Boeing B-17G, North American B-25B, Curtiss P-40, North American N4J Pensacola Trainer, and Boeing B-17 Suzy-Q. Aviation field maps include those for Northeast Australia, Malaya, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippine Islands. Individuals represented include Henry Godman, Weldon S. Smith, Lyndon B. Johnson, Frank Kurtz, Sir Charles Burnett, Brigadier General George Acheson and several group shots of crew. There are also histories of the 14th and 19th Bombardment Groups, operations, battle honor lists, damage reports, debriefing reports, and crew lists as well as periodical articles about the aircraft and its crew.
Arrangement:
The collection has been organized into three series:

SERIES 1: Photographs Used in The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 SERIES 2: Photographs Collected but not Used in The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 SERIES 3: Official Government Documents, Periodical Articles, Miscellaneous Material
Biographical/Historical note:
The Swoose was the name given to Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress serial number 40-3097 by Weldon H. Smith, one of its crew members. The aircraft flew four historic trans-Pacific flights: California to Hawaii, May 13-14, 1941; Sydney, Australia to Hawaii and back, May 17-30, 1942; and Brisbane to Washington, DC, August 4-12, 1942. It was stationed in the Pacific theater during the first two years of World War II (1941-1943) and was assigned to both the 14th and 19th Bombardment Groups. In the Pacific, The Swoose carried out bombing and transport operations in the Philippines, Java, and Australia. In 1943, the aircraft was stationed in Panama. The aircraft remained in service until 1953, when it was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum. In 2008, The Swoose was transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Provenance:
Herb Brownstein, gift, 1994, 1996, 2000, 1994-0024
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Permissions Requests
Topic:
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress "Swoose"  Search this
Genre/Form:
Diaries
Photographs
Maps
Reports
Manuscripts
Publications
Interviews
Correspondence
Citation:
The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 Collection, Acc. 1994-0024, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.1994.0024
See more items in:
The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2d84f0417-6719-4ce0-9507-a4a71424b725
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1994-0024
Online Media:

Air corps by J.V. Mizrahi. Paintings by Dan Post [and others] Graphic design, Tony Enyedy

Author:
Mizrahi, J. V  Search this
Physical description:
144 pages illustrations (some color) 28 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
1970
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aéronautique militaire  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_9616

Oberammergau, Messerschmitt Research Plant

Photographer:
Youngman, Wilbur H. (Wilbur Hughes), 1896-1986  Search this
Collection Creator:
Youngman, Wilbur H. (Wilbur Hughes), 1896-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Negatives (photographic)
Type:
Archival materials
Negatives (photographic)
Place:
Oberammergau -- Germany
Date:
1946
General:
Messerschmitt aircraft's research facility was moved from Regensburg to a former military barracks in rural Oberammergau, Bavaria, in October 1943 in order to escape Allied bombing. It was captured by American forces in late April 1945.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Topic:
Aircraft industry  Search this
Aeronautics, Military -- Research  Search this
Barracks  Search this
Soldiers  Search this
Refuse and refuse disposal  Search this
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Wilbur H. Youngman collection.
Identifier:
AAG.YMN, Item YMN004
See more items in:
Wilbur H. Youngman Collection
Wilbur H. Youngman Collection / Images / Germany / Oberammergau
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Gardens
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb670018446-e604-477b-b75e-38d2254447bc
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-aag-ymn-ref49

United States Air Force Aircraft History Cards Microfilm

Creator:
United States. Air Force  Search this
Names:
United States. Air Force  Search this
United States. Army Air Forces  Search this
United States. Army. Air Corps  Search this
United States. Army. Air Service  Search this
United States. National Guard Bureau  Search this
Extent:
1.69 Cubic feet (128 microfilm rolls)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Microfilms
Date:
circa 1920-1953
Summary:
This collection consists of duplicate microfilm of individual aircraft records for the United States Air Force (USAF). The microfilm covers aircraft owned by the US Army Air Service, Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, USAF, and the National Guard starting in July of 1923 and including those dropped from the active inventory before June 30, 1955. (Master films are held by the Air Force Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, AL.) Each record card consists of a complete record of aircraft transfers (duty locations) from acceptance until retirement. Duty locations do not include unit, only theater/air base.
Scope and Contents:
Beginning in 1951, the USAF began microfilming the IARCs for retired aircraft. The first group filmed were aircraft retired as of May 1951 (119 rolls of 16mm microfilm), with additional sections including retirements through September 1952 and records "out of file" (not present in the retired aircraft file) in May 1951 (6 rolls) and retirements through May 1953 and records "out of file" in September 1952 (3 rolls). In 1971 the USAF microfilmed the records through 1954 for aircraft not retired by May 1953 (approximately 70 rolls) and all active aircraft from 1955 through 1964 (89 rolls). Later these various film series were designated by the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA; Maxwell AFB, AL), which maintains the original records, as ACR (May 1951 retirements), OA (out-of-file records from May 1951, retirements through September 1952 and May 1953), AC (aircraft active as of August 1954), and ACA (1955-1964 records).

Records were organized by military serial number, although some records were missorted and therefore filmed out of order. The project only encompassed the main IARC files and as a result the records maintained by the 15th SCU were filmed only in a few rare cases. Similarly the records maintained by overseas SCUs were not filmed. Thus the IARC records for wartime aircraft, particularly those transferred out of the Continental United States, remain incomplete.

The NASM holdings of these records consists of duplicate copies of the ACR and OA series of films only, comprising 128 rolls of microfilm. NASM rolls are identified consistent with the AFHRA designation scheme. The following listing gives the roll identification (ACR- or OA- number), the serial number range, and any special notes relating to the particular roll. The note "NASM M###" gives the roll identification assigned by the National Air and Space Museum in the 1960s when all microfilm in the NASM collection was sequentially numbered regardless of collection; these numbers are included for historical purposes and are cross-referenced in M-number order in Appendix 1 (page 8).

For access to the AC and ACA series, contact the Air Force Historical Research Agency at:

Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1600 Chennault Circle, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6424
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I: Records for aircraft retired from USAF service through May 1951

Series II: Records for aircraft retired from USAF service through May 1951 (Out of file records)

Series III: Records for aircraft retired from USAF service May 1951 through September 1952

Series IV: Records for aircraft retired from USAF service September 1952 through May 1953

The NASM holdings of these records consists of duplicate copies of the ACR and OA series of films only, comprising 128 rolls of microfilm. NASM rolls are identified consistent with the AFHRA designation scheme. The follow listing gives the roll identification (ACR- or OA- number), the serial number range, and any special notes relating to the particular roll. The note "NASM M###" gives the roll identification assigned by the National Air and Space Museum in the 1960s when all microfilm in the NASM collection was sequentially numbered regardless of collection; these numbers are included for historical purposes and are cross-referenced in container listing notes.
Biographical/Historical note:
The United States Air Force and its predecessors1 have maintained a variety of records relating to the aircraft operated by the service. Beginning in 1923, the Air Service maintained individual records for each aircraft added to the inventory listing location and activity from its acceptance by the service until its retirement from the inventory. Such records have had a number of official names --Aircraft Master Record, Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC), etc. --but are most commonly called "Aircraft History Cards." Originally, these records were manually compiled from unit inventories, morning reports, and so on, but the increased use of automated systems in the 1940s allowed automatic compilation and machine printing of the IARC entries after 1940.

IARCs do not record the entire history and activity of an individual aircraft. They do not include information about missions or crews, nor do they record exact locations or manners of loss. Rather, they serve as a compilation of the locations, transfers, and "controlling activity" (the unit responsible for reporting the aircraft) of the aircraft at a set time. The exact type of information and its manner of presentation changes over time and can be best described in chronological groups:

through c.1940 This period actually covers a variety of record card styles, but the data is hand-written or typed. The information follows the printed columns on the card. The information generally consists of reporting location, inventory date (month and fiscal year2), and flying time (both total and during the inventory period). The reporting activity is generally the base, rather than the unit. Transfers between bases are included as separate listings which include the authority for the transfer.

c.1940 --November 1942 During this period the USAAF switched to the use of electronic accounting machine (EAM) technology for inventory reporting and this allowed the automated compilation and printing of IARC data. The data and card presentation remains constant from the forms in use before the change, but the cards are machine printed, rather than hand written. Some data is abbreviated; location, for example, is given by a seven-character abbreviation.

November 1942 --April 1944 At the end of 1942 the responsibility for maintaining the inventory and individual aircraft status information was shifted from Headquarters, Air Materiel Command to one of several Statistical Control Units (SCU) within the Continental United States (CONUS) or overseas. IARCs were still prepared as before for newly-purchased aircraft and added to the main IARC file to track each aircraft from the factory to its initial assignment within CONUS or to an overseas shipping destination. The 15th SCU was responsible for tracking aircraft inventory and status information for aircraft within the CONUS and developed its own form for recording this data. The 15th SCU forms radically changed the data presentation --flying time was no longer recorded, some unit information was recorded for the first time, and location either appears as the abbreviations used previously or as a four-character shipping destination code. No effort was made to transfer 15th SCU data to the IARC master file, so that no activity was recorded on IARC cards during this period. Further, the inventory records on aircraft outside of the CONUS were maintained by SCUs in theater; as a result the entries on IARCs end with their transfer overseas, save for the final entry showing their removal from the inventory or until they returned to a CONUS location.

April 1944 --September 1949 At the beginning of this period, entries again appear on the main IARCs, although the concentration on CONUS-based aircraft continued until after the end of World War II. There are no records for aircraft transferred overseas once they leave the CONUS until they are dropped from the inventory, return to the United States, or until the reporting requirements changed after the end of the war. During this period the entries recorded a change in the status of the aircraft --either a transfer of station or a change in the usage of the aircraft. Entries record the reporting and other involved station and unit and the type, nature, and date of the change. The exact presentation of the data varies slightly over the period but generally involves a number of codes used to speed transmission of the data.

September 1949 and subsequent Beginning September 1949, IARCs entries were printed in batches, giving rise to groups of entries followed by a "bookkeeping" line indicating the serial number and number of entries printed. The data presentation for each entry remains similar to the entries from the previous period.

During the machine-printed period (from 1940 on) IARC entries become more and more difficult to understand due to the increasing data density and the use of one- or two-character codes for a variety of information. The Museum staff is currently preparing a guide to understanding the USAF IARC, which will treat the various code groups and data presentations in greater depth.

1 Aviation Section, United States Army Signal Corps (1914-1918); United States Army Air Service (USAAS; 1918-1926); United States Army Air Corps (USAAC; 1926-1941); United States Army Air Forces (USAAF; 1941-1947); United States Air Force (USAF; 1947- )

2 Until 1976 the government fiscal year (FY) ran 1 July --30 June. Thus FY1941 ran 1 July 1940 through 30 June 1941.
Provenance:
Dept. of the Air Force, Transfer, unknown, XXXX-0461.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Airplanes, Military  Search this
Airplanes  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Aircraft history cards  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Genre/Form:
Microfilms
Citation:
United States Air Force Aircraft History Cards Microfilm, Acc. XXXX-0461, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0461
See more items in:
United States Air Force Aircraft History Cards Microfilm
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg21018c261-43aa-4e54-b304-5d330835c75b
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0461
Online Media:

German combat planes [by] Ray Wagner and Heinz Nowarra

Author:
Wagner, Ray  Search this
Author:
Nowarra, Heinz J  Search this
Physical description:
400 pages illus 29 cm
Type:
Books
History
Place:
Germany
Date:
1971
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this
Airplanes, Military  Search this
Avions militaires  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
military aircraft  Search this
Call number:
TL685.3 .W134
TL685.3.W134
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_8863

95th Aero Squadron Photographs

Creator:
Garrison, Herbert  Search this
Names:
United States. Army. Air Service. 1st Pursuit Group. 95th Aero Squadron  Search this
Garrison, Herbert  Search this
Extent:
0.05 Cubic feet (2 folders, 23 black and white 8 x 10 inch print photographs; two 4 x 5 inch color transparencies)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1917-1919
Summary:
This collection consists of 23 black and white photographs taken by Herbert Emerson Garrison (1896-1986), during his service with the 95th Aero Squadron in France during World War I and includes informal views of both aircraft and personnel. The collection also includes two copy color transparencies of a Salvation Army post card stating that Garrison had arrived safely back in New York City after the war.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of 23 black and white photographs copied from a scrapbook which was loaned to the National Air and Space Museum Archives by Walter Garrison, son of Herbert E. Garrison, the photographer. The images feature informal views of both aviation personnel and American and French aircraft, including the Nieuport 11 (XI) Sesquiplane, Nieuport 17, Nieuport 28, Morane-Saulnier Model LA (Mo.S.4), Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, Spad XIII, and a Voisin 8 BN.2 (Type LAP). Also seen are two captured German biplanes, an Albatros D.Va (L24) and a Fokker D.VII which later became part of the collection of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM). On November 9, 1918, two days before the end of the war, Lieutenant Heinz Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay landed this Fokker D.VII at a forward American airfield being used by the 95th Aero Squadron, near Verdun. The pilot and airplane were captured by three American officers before Beaulieu-Marconnay could set fire to his aircraft. The captured Fokker D.VII is seen in the Garrison photographs embellished with the "Kicking Mule" insignia of the 95th Aero Squadron. The collection also includes two copy transparencies of a Salvation Army post card sent to Minnie Owens (whom Garrison later married) to let her know that Garrison had arrived safely in New York City on his way home from the war in France.
Arrangement:
The black and white images in this collection were copied as Smithsonian Institution negative numbers 98-15105 through 98-15118 and 98-15188 through 98-15196. The front and back of the post card were copied as numbers 98-15296 and 98-15297. The copy images are physically arranged in negative number order. The images have been arranged online in this finding aid into subject groups which are presented roughly in chronological order.
Biographical / Historical:
The 95th Aero Squadron, organized on August 20th, 1917, and demobilized on March 18th, 1919, was part of the 1st Pursuit Organization stationed in France on the Western Front during World War I. The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron and was the first American squadron to fly in combat, doing so on March 8, 1918. The 95th Aero Squadron shot down 35 enemy aircraft and 12 observation balloons, participating in the following military campaigns: Champagne-Marne Defensive, Aisne-Marne Offensive, St. Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Among the squadron's pilots were six air aces and Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt. Herbert Emerson Garrison (1896-1986), the donor's father, served as a mechanic for the 95th Aero Squadron during World War I.
Related Materials:
Related artifacts in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collection: Fokker D.VII, A19200004000.
Provenance:
Walter Garrison, originals loaned for copying, 1998, NASM.1998.0029
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
World War, 1914-1918  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Voisin Aircraft Family  Search this
SPAD XIII (S.13)  Search this
Nieuport (France) 11 Monoplane  Search this
Nieuport (France) 17  Search this
Nieuport (France) 28  Search this
Morane-Saulnier Model LA (Mo.S.4)  Search this
RAF F.E.3 (A.E.1)  Search this
Fokker D.VI  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Citation:
95th Aero Squadron Photographs [Garrison], NASM.1998.0029, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.1998.0029
See more items in:
95th Aero Squadron Photographs
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2934d6cb6-7889-42e1-b1ca-5983a4c59638
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1998-0029
Online Media:

Wings of war; an account of the important contribution of the United States to aircraft invention, engineering, development and production during the world war, by Theodore Macfarlane Knappen, with an introduction by Rear-Admiral D. W. Taylor. With 43 illustrations

Author:
Knappen, Theodore Macfarlane 1871-1938  Search this
Physical description:
xv, 289 p. front., plates. 21 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
United States
Date:
1920
Topic:
World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations  Search this
World War, 1914-1918  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Call number:
D606 .K6X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_57928

Portuguese fighter colours, 1919-1956 : piston engined / Luiz Armando Tavares, Armando Jorge Soares

Author:
Tavares, Luiz Armando  Search this
Soares, Armando Jorge  Search this
Physical description:
232 pages : illustrations, map ; 30 cm
Type:
Pictorial works
History
Place:
Portugal
Date:
2016
20th century
Topic:
Fighter planes--Markings  Search this
Fighter planes--History  Search this
Airplanes, Military--Decoration  Search this
Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this
Fighter planes  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1104975

Wright Field Technical Documents Library

Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio)  Search this
Names:
McCook Field, Ohio  Search this
United States. Air Force  Search this
United States. Air Force Materiel Division  Search this
United States. Air Materiel Command  Search this
Wright Field, Ohio  Search this
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio)  Search this
Extent:
733.77 Cubic feet (1508 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Publications
Reports
Photographs
Date:
1915-1955
Summary:
Throughout its history the Engineering Division/Materiel Division at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, maintained a catalogued library of technical documents, which was turned over to the Air Force Museum and later donated to the National Air and Space Museum. The collection consists of reports and other documents on a variety of aviation-related topics, including general science (aeronautics, physics, chemistry, etc); military air service personnel, organization, and equipment for both US and foreign air forces; as well as operations, and so on. Currently, the finding aid only covers documents from the D52.1 subject code (Airplanes, arranged alphabetically) and only those that are physically located in the Wright Field Technical Documents Library.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of reports and other documents on a variety of aviation-related topics, including general science (aeronautics, physics, chemistry, etc); military air service personnel, organization, and equipment for both US and foreign air forces; as well as operations, and so on. Information on foreign services and equipment is usually from military intelligence reports, although some foreign documents or translations are included. The material also includes a large section of test reports from the Material Division itself.
Arrangement:
Every document in the collection has been assigned a multi-part Wright Field Number. This number is adapted from the Air Force central decimal correspondence filing system. Wright Field Numbers are written in the format:

[Subject Code] [Category Suffix] / [Sequence Number] [Sequence Modifier]

Subject Code: This number begins with an alpha-numeric subject code. For example, D52.1 (Airplanes, arranged alphabetically).

Category Suffix: A more specific textual subject reference. For example, in the D52.1 subjects, the suffix is usually a manufacturer name, aircraft name, or a general type of aircraft. (Original Wright Field cataloguers could be inconsistent in how they classified an airplane. For example, a document on a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M could be filed alphabetically under A6M, Mitsubishi, Zeke, Zero, or Misc. Japanese.) It is possible to not have a category suffix.

Sequence Number: The individual number assigned to the document within its subject code and category. If a document was formerly classified as "Security Information," the sequence number starts with "S," for example "S-1." These are usually filed at the beginning of a range of documents. Sometimes technical manuals are filed using the technical order (TO) number. For example, 01-20EE-3 is the sequence number used for a Boeing B-17 Handbook of Overhaul Instructions, TO-01-20EE-3.

Sequence Modifier: If there is a revision or multiple parts of a document, this is reflected in a sequence modifier. Ex. Dates, revision numbers, etc.

The documents are arranged alpha-numerically by Wright Field Number in the order of:

Subject Code, Category Suffix, Sequence Number, Sequence Modifier

Example of arrangement by Wright Field Number:

D52.1 / 42

D52.1 Aeronca / 2

D52.1 Boeing / S-1

D52.1 Boeing / 422

D52.1 Boeing / 511 Dec 1, 1941

D52.1 Boeing / 511 vol. 2 March 1, 1943

D52.1 Misc. Japanese / 46

Each record contains the title and source from the index cards. Information from the subject field on the cards appears as a scope and content note.

Currently, the finding aid only covers documents from the D52.1 subject code and only those that are physically located in the Wright Field Technical Documents Library. Please contact the NASM Archives regarding additional documents. Some may be located in the Technical Reference Files, cataloguing information may be only on the index cards, or the document has been catalogued as missing from the collection.
Biographical / Historical:
In 1917, the United States Army Air Service established an aviation engineering section at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio. In 1927, the Engineering Division, as it was then known, moved to nearby Wilbur Wright Field and remained there as the Air Force Materiel Division (AFMD) and Air Materiel Command (AMC) until Wright Field combined with Patterson Field to become Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1948. The Engineering Division was responsible for Army Air Services research and development and served as a clearinghouse for information on aviation development worldwide. Throughout its history the Engineering Division/Materiel Division maintained a catalogued library of documents, which was turned over to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson and was later donated to the National Air and Space Museum.
Provenance:
United States Air Force Museum, Transfer, 1962, NASM.XXXX.0428.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
Military intelligence  Search this
Airplanes, Military -- Flight testing  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military -- Research  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence
Publications
Reports
Photographs
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0428
See more items in:
Wright Field Technical Documents Library
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2124245c3-eb7c-495a-a446-e87ba26d8251
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0428
Online Media:

William Thaw II World War I Certificates

Names:
Thaw, William, 1893 – 1934  Search this
Extent:
.53 Cubic feet (One 20 by 24 inch flat box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Certificates
Date:
1918-1919
Summary:
This collection consists of three oversized certificates presented to William Thaw, 1918 – 1919.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of the following three oversized certificates: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, presented to Lieutenant Colonel William Thaw on April 9, 1919; Distinguished Service Cross, presented to Colonel William Thaw on October 16, 1918; and United States Citation to Colonel William Thaw, on April 19, 1919.
Arrangement:
No order, only three certificates.
Biographical / Historical:
William Thaw II (1893 – 1934) was a World War I ace and is believed to be the first American to engage in aerial combat in the war as one of the original nine members of the Lafayette Escadrille. Born into a prominent Pittsburgh family, Thaw attended Yale University but left to learn to fly at the Curtiss School of Aviation at Hammondsport, New York, in 1913.  Soon after he was the first to pilot an aircraft up New York City's East River and fly underneath all four bridges. By the summer of 1914, Thaw was in Paris, along with his personal Curtiss Motel E Hydro, and had received the Aero Club of France F.A.I. Hydro License 2. When war started, Thaw joined the French Foreign Legion and by December he was transferred to the French aviation unit, first as an observer, then as an active pilot. In May of 1916 Thaw was commissioned as first lieutenant and shortly after he was shot in the arm during combat. After his recovery, he resumed active duty and in November he was transferred to the American Air Service and commissioned a major. In January 1918 Thaw was given command of the American Lafayette Escadrille, 103rd Pursuit Squadron and in August he was given command of the 3rd Pursuit Group and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. After the war, he returned stateside and from January to June 1919 he was the commanding officer at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. He was honorably discharged in July of 1919. During his service he received many honors and decorations. 
Provenance:
Found in Collecton, Transferred from the NASM Aeronautics Department, 2022, NASM.2023.0009
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations  Search this
Genre/Form:
Certificates -- 20th century
Citation:
William Thaw II World War I Certificates, NASM.2023.0009, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian
Identifier:
NASM.2023.0009
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg27012ec93-d5db-4c75-bef4-083ae469545f
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-2023-0009

Encyclopedia of U.S. military aircraft by Robert B. Casari

Author:
Casari, Robert B.  Search this
Publisher:
Casari, Robert B.  Search this
Printer:
Craftsman Printing  Search this
Physical description:
volumes in illustrations, photographs 23 cm
Type:
Encyclopedias
Encyclopédies
History
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
1970
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this
Airplanes, Military  Search this
Aéronautique militaire--Histoire  Search this
Avions militaires  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Call number:
TL685.3 .C33
TL685.3 .C36X
TL685.3.C36X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_6916

Ideas and weapons exploitation of the aerial weapon by the United States during World War I; a study in the relationship of technological advance, military doctrine, and the development of weapons by I. B. Holley, Jr

Author:
Holley, I. B (Irving Brinton) 1919-  Search this
Physical description:
xii, 222 p 23 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
1971
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations, American  Search this
Aéronautique militaire  Search this
Military operations, Aerial--American  Search this
Call number:
UG633 .H73 1971
UG633.H73 1971
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_7349

The complete book of jets and rockets by D. N. Ahnstrom

Author:
Ahnstrom, D. N  Search this
Physical description:
184 p illustrations, ports 29 cm
Type:
Juvenile literature
Ouvrages pour la jeunesse
Juvenile works
Date:
1970
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Airplanes--Jet propulsion  Search this
Airplanes--Jet propulsion--Juvenile literature  Search this
Rockets (Aeronautics)  Search this
Jet planes  Search this
Jet propulsion  Search this
Aéronautique militaire  Search this
Avions--Propulsion par réaction  Search this
Fusées (Aéronautique)  Search this
Call number:
TL709 .A4 1970X
TL709.A4 1970X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_7564

Elmo Neale Pickerill Papers

Creator:
Pickerill, Elmo Neale, 1885-1968  Search this
Names:
Early Birds of Aviation (Organization).  Search this
Long Island Early Fliers Club  Search this
OX5 Aviation Pioneers.  Search this
Radio Corporation of America.  Search this
Veterans Wireless Operators Association.  Search this
Extent:
2.55 Cubic feet ((4 legal document boxes) (3 shoeboxes))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Newsletters
Publications
Photographs
Date:
1907-1968
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains photographs (some with captions) with corresponding negatives, publications, periodicals, Early Bird newsletters and stationary, biographical material, and correspondence from friends and contemporaries.
Biographical / Historical:
Elmo Neale Pickerill (1885 - 1968) was born in Greenridge, Missouri. In 1910 he made his first solo flight while establishing air to ground wireless radio communication. Pickerill was an officer in the aviation section of the Army Signal Corps during World War I. He joined RCA in 1920 and retired in 1950. Pickerill was not only a member, but held officer positions in the following organizations: The Early Birds, Long Island Early Fliers Club, the OX5 Club, and the Veterans Wireless Operators Association. He was most noted for his work with the Early Birds.
Provenance:
Eugene M. Baker, gift, 1997, 1997-0023, NASM
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
Aeronautics  Search this
Radio in aeronautics  Search this
Radio  Search this
Radio -- History  Search this
World War, 1914-1918  Search this
Aeronautical instruments  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics, Commercial  Search this
Aeronautics -- 1903-1916  Search this
Periodicals  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence
Newsletters
Publications
Photographs
Identifier:
NASM.1997.0023
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2e26782d0-4150-4179-af7c-0de0d901ff44
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1997-0023

James Rogers McConnell Collection [Truitt]

Creator:
McConnell, James Rogers, 1887-1917  Search this
Names:
France. Armée. Escadrille Lafayette  Search this
France. Armée. Légion étrangère  Search this
Chapman, Victor  Search this
Lufbery, Raoul  Search this
McConnell, James Rogers, 1887-1917  Search this
Rockwell, Kiffin Yates  Search this
Extent:
0.33 Cubic feet (2 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Photographs
Date:
1890-1928
Summary:
This collection consists of correspondence, newspaper articles, and a photograph album documenting James Rogers McConnell's life, especially his World War I service in the Lafayette Escadrille.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of correspondence, newspaper articles, and a photograph album documenting James Rogers McConnell's life, especially his World War I service in the Lafayette Escadrille. This collection contains material pertaining to both McConnell's service as well as the service of his fellow Lafayette Escadrille members, including Kiffin Rockwell, Victor Chapman, and Raoul Lufbery. The correspondence includes letters from McConnell to his family and friends, as well as condolence letters from McConnell's friends to his family after his death. The photographs include images of McConnell, his friends--both ambulance drivers and pilots, aircraft, his grave, his crypt in the Lafayette Memorial, and also his memorial in Carthage, North Carolina. The newspaper articles include ones written by McConnell about his war service.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged by type of material.
Biographical / Historical:
James Rogers McConnell (1887-1917) was a member of the Lafayette Escadrille. Born in Chicago, McConnell attended two years of schooling at the University of Virginia before leaving the law school in 1910 to join his family in Carthage, North Carolina. There, he served as a land and industrial agent of the Seaboard Airline Railway and as secretary of the Carthage Board of Trade. After war broke out in Europe, McConnell arrived in France to enlist with the American Ambulance Corps. McConnell withdrew from the Ambulance Corps and entered the aviation training program, becoming one of the first members of the Lafayette Escadrille. McConnell first flight was on May 13, 1916, in which he flew a Nieuport biplane. McConnell was shot down and killed on March 19, 1917 above the Somme Battlefields. He was the author of the book Flying for France.
Provenance:
James M. Truitt, gift, 1963, NASM.XXXX.0232
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Ambulances  Search this
World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations  Search this
World War, 1914-1918  Search this
Periodicals  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence
Photographs
Citation:
James Rogers McConnell Collection [Truitt], NASM.XXXX.0232, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0232
See more items in:
James Rogers McConnell Collection [Truitt]
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg259a20d9a-0ebd-4cce-bc10-bebb52c7a938
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0232
Online Media:

Allied aircraft versus Axis aircraft by Geoffrey D. M. Block

Author:
Block, Geoffrey D. M. 1914-  Search this
Physical description:
133 p illustrations, map (on lining papers) 23 cm
Type:
Books
History
Date:
1970
1945
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this
Airplanes, Military--History  Search this
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations  Search this
Aéronautique militaire--Histoire  Search this
Avions militaires--Histoire  Search this
Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945--Opérations aériennes  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Airplanes, Military  Search this
Military operations, Aerial  Search this
Call number:
TL685.3 .B651 1970
TL685.3.B651 1970
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_6011

The log of air navigation by Norris B. Harbold

Author:
Harbold, Norris, B. 1906-  Search this
Physical description:
xv, 125 pages illustrations, facsimiles, portraits 22 cm
Type:
Books
History
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
1970
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Navigation (Aeronautics)--History  Search this
Aéronautique militaire  Search this
Navigation (Aéronautique)--Histoire  Search this
Navigation (Aeronautics)  Search this
Call number:
TL586 .H25
TL586.H25
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_6259

Summon the stars by Joe Christy and Page Shamburger

Author:
Christy, Joe  Search this
Author:
Shamburger, Page  Search this
Physical description:
434 p illustrations, ports 29 cm
Type:
Books
History
Place:
United States
États-Unis
Date:
1970
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this
Aeronautics--History  Search this
Aéronautique militaire--Histoire  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Call number:
TL515 .C55
TL515.C55
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_6373

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