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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:

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

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:

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

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

Purple Heart medal awarded posthumously to Tuskegee Airman 2d Lt. James McCullin

Issued by:
United States Armed Forces, American, founded 1775  Search this
Received by:
Second Lieutenant James L. McCullin, American, 1919 - 1943  Search this
Subject of:
Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946  Search this
99th Pursuit Squadron, American, 1941 - 1949  Search this
Medium:
cardboard , paper, metal and ribbon
Dimensions:
H x W (Medal): 3 × 1 3/8 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 3.5 × 0.5 cm)
H x W x D (Closed): 1 x 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (2.5 x 8.9 x 16.5 cm)
H x W x D (Open): 7 x 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (17.8 x 8.9 x 16.5 cm)
Type:
cases (containers)
medals
Date:
after 1943
Topic:
African American  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Military  Search this
Tuskegee Airmen  Search this
World War II  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the McCullin Family, in memory of Second Lieutenant James L. McCullin
Object number:
2013.52.3ab
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification:
Awards and Medals
Exhibition:
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View:
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50b99ef9d-6b1d-4f6b-8154-036ca7a3874e
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2013.52.3ab
Online Media:

Aircraft observer badge owned by Fenton B. Sands

Manufactured by:
American Emblem Company, American  Search this
Issued by:
United States Air Force, American, founded 1947  Search this
Owned by:
Dr. Fenton B. Sands, American, 1918 - 1998  Search this
Subject of:
Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946  Search this
Medium:
sterling silver
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 7/8 × 3 3/16 × 1/2 in. (2.2 × 8.1 × 1.3 cm)
Type:
insignias
Place made:
Utica, Oneida County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1942-1945
Topic:
African American  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Military  Search this
Tuskegee Airmen  Search this
World War II  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Sands Family
Object number:
2014.7.14
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification:
Awards and Medals
Exhibition:
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View:
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58f78df0c-6b05-4bb2-a215-c525f896d445
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.7.14
Online Media:

Bombadier wings owned by Fenton B. Sands

Manufactured by:
Unidentified  Search this
Issued by:
United States Air Force, American, founded 1947  Search this
Owned by:
Dr. Fenton B. Sands, American, 1918 - 1998  Search this
Subject of:
Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946  Search this
Medium:
metal
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 1 × 3 1/16 × 5/16 in. (2.5 × 7.8 × 0.8 cm)
Type:
insignias
Date:
1942-1945
Topic:
African American  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Military  Search this
Tuskegee Airmen  Search this
World War II  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Sands Family
Object number:
2014.7.15
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification:
Awards and Medals
Exhibition:
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View:
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58fcd242a-53b2-4395-85e4-e8313de3332b
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.7.15
Online Media:

Navigator wings owned by Fenton B. Sands

Manufactured by:
Unidentified  Search this
Issued by:
United States Air Force, American, founded 1947  Search this
Owned by:
Dr. Fenton B. Sands, American, 1918 - 1998  Search this
Subject of:
Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946  Search this
Medium:
sterling silver
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 13/16 × 3 1/16 × 5/16 in. (2.1 × 7.8 × 0.8 cm)
Type:
insignias
Date:
1942-1945
Topic:
African American  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Military  Search this
Tuskegee Airmen  Search this
World War II  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Sands Family
Object number:
2014.7.16
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification:
Awards and Medals
Exhibition:
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View:
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57628b11a-4e76-40c6-8a0a-b7972b56d344
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.7.16
Online Media:

Curtiss-Wright Corporation Records

Creator:
Curtiss-Wright Corporation  Search this
Names:
Curtiss-Wright Airports Corporation  Search this
Keystone Aircraft Corp  Search this
Extent:
212.29 Cubic feet (598 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Motion pictures (visual works)
Reports
Drawings
Financial records
Date:
1868-1972
bulk 1925-1949
Summary:
This collection consists of the corporate records of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Included in the collection are technical and engineering reports of Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division's operations in St. Louis (Robertson), MO (1935-1945) and Buffalo, NY, (1932-1945), as well as AAS Material Division and AAF Air Technical Services Command memorandum reports collected by Curtiss-Wright's St. Louis and Buffalo technical reference libraries. The collection also contains the files of Curtiss-Wright's Patent Department, which hold records of patents filed by Curtiss-Wright and patent-infringement cases involving Curtiss-Wright. Also included in the collection are specifications issued by and photos commissioned by the Keystone Aircraft Corporation (Huff-Daland Airplanes, Inc. until March 1927), which had been acquired by Wright in 1928 along with Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corp., and formed the Keystone Division of Curtiss-Wright until 1932 when Keystone's Bristol, PA factory closed its doors. The collection also contains financial records of the Curtiss-Wright Airports Corporation, which was liquidated in 1936, as well as an extensive negative collection featuring Curtiss-Wright aircraft from the 1930s and 1940s, concentrated especially on the war years.
Scope and Contents:
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation Records collection contains approximately 212 cubic feet of material. The collection contains the following material:

Army Air Service Material Division & Army Air Force Technical Services Command Memo

Reports & Technical Reports which include testing of various Curtiss-Wright models of aircraft and/or various parts of aircraft

Technical & Engineering Reports from the St. Louis, MO plant [Robertson] & Buffalo, NY plant

Patents, Patent Dockets, Patent Serial numbers, Suits, License Agreements, Patents filed by Curtiss-Wright & Patent Infringement Cases [1800s to 1940s]

Miscellaneous Research Files

Corporate & Financial Records [1923 to 1972]

Correspondence

Blueprint Drawings

Advertisements from Newspapers & Magazines in Scrapbooks

Engine Decals

Photographs

Negatives & Glass Plates
Arrangement:
This collection was arranged into Series and Subseries:

Series I: Curtiss-Wright Corporation Records

Subseries I: Corporation Reports\Records Subseries II: Patents Subseries III: Patent Serial Numbers Subseries IV: Patent Application/Dockets Subseries V: Patent Litigation Subseries VI: Aircraft & Engine Designations arranged by Designation Subseries VII: Photographs Subseries VIII: Keystone Aircraft Corporation Subseries IX: Oversize Scrapbooks of Advertising Material, Newspaper Clippings

Series II: Technical Reports

Subseries I: Air Corps Materiel Division, Reports [ACMR] Subseries II: Buffalo Reports Subseries III: St. Louis

Series III: Glass Format Photography

Series IV: 1969 Accretion - Listing of Archival Material

Series V: Master Print Books [this part of the collection has not been processed]
Historical note:
An historic event in aviation occurred on June 26, 1929 when two major aircraft companies: the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company merged with the Wright Aeronautical Corporation to form the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. After this merger, the former Wright organization took over all of the engine and propeller manufacture while Curtiss concentrated on airplanes. This merger was completed by organizing two major divisions under their original names, but under the direction of a corporate headquarters located in New York City. However, there was a recognized separation of spirit as well as specialized facilities that was never completely resolved in succeeding years. The election of former Wright personnel to key corporate positions soon led to Wright becoming the dominant division. At the height of the Lindbergh Boom during the 1920s and 1930s, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation was made up of the following identified organizations: The Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Company; The Curtiss-Caproni Corporation; The Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company; The Keystone Aircraft Corporation; The Moth Aircraft Corporation; The Travel Air Manufacturing Company; The Wright Aeronautical Corporation; Curtiss-Wright Flying Service; The Curtiss-Wright Sales Corporation; The Curtiss-Wright Export Corporation. Curtiss-Wright was quickly becoming the 'General Motors of the Air' until the great depression in October 1929. Sales dropped and Curtiss-Wright was forced to close certain satellite plants and transfer some of their product lines to the St. Louis facility. It looked like even the Buffalo plants would also have to close when Curtiss-Wright received an order from Colombia, South America for Hawks and Falcons. This was the largest military order to Curtiss since the war. The Colombia sale saved the Curtiss-Wright organization at this low point in its history. This order kept the production lines going until new military and civil markets began to open up as the depression waned and the build-up for World War II began. During the U.S. military build-up prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, all existing Curtiss-Wright plants were expanded and new aircraft factories were built at Columbus, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. The dropping of the two atomic bombs on Japan resulted in an unexpected early end to World War II. All of the major U.S. airplane builders including Curtiss-Wright were hit by massive contract cancellations because of the Japanese surrender. In 1946 Curtiss-Wright had only two experimental military models at hand for postwar delivery and no assurance of production orders. Curtiss-Wright was forced to shut down all airplane plants and transfer all units of the Aeroplane Division to their Columbus Plant. The eventual sale of the Airplane Division to North American included design rights to the former Curtiss-Wright airplanes. The Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division, which manufactured airframes, finally closed down in 1951.
Provenance:
Curtiss-Wright Corporation, gift, XXXX, 1969
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
Curtiss, General, Aircraft  Search this
Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States  Search this
Curtiss-Wright aircraft  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Genre/Form:
Motion pictures (visual works)
Reports
Drawings
Financial records
Citation:
Curtiss-Wright Corporation Records, Acc. XXXX-0067, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0067
See more items in:
Curtiss-Wright Corporation Records
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg21b19fbef-7db3-4c81-be86-3bb02ecbfee0
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0067
Online Media:

William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks

Creator:
Webb, William  Search this
Names:
Mitchell, William, 1879-1936  Search this
Extent:
.51 Cubic feet (1 flatbox)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Clippings
Date:
1925-1926
Summary:
Colonel William Lendrum "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1936) of the U.S. Army Air Service, a leading proponent of air power, was court-martialed for insubordination in October – December 1925 after publically criticizing the Navy and War Departments. This collection consists of two scrapbooks of material relating to the court-martial by William Webb, a member of Mitchell's defense team.
Scope and Contents:
This collection was created by William Webb, a member of Colonel William L. "Billy" Mitchell's the defense team for his 1925 court-martial. The collection consists of two scrapbooks containingcontain photographs of Mitchell, Mitchell's family, the defense team, and witnesses; newspaper articles on the trial; and courtroom sketches.
Arrangement:
The collection consists of one flatbox containing two scrapbooks; the contents were arranged by the donor.
Biographical / Historical:
An active participant in American military aviation since its beginnings, Colonel William L. "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1936) was closely involved in shaping air policy and air defense strategy in the 1920s. Mitchell publically criticized the Navy and War Departments in the wake of the crash of the U.S. Navy rigid airship "Shenandoah" on September 3, 1925. His actions resulted in a court-martial held from October – December 1925 for insubordination and "Conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the military service." Mitchell was found guilty and was sentenced to "Suspension from rank, command, and duty with forfeiture of all pay and allowances for five years." Mitchell resigned from the Army on February 1, 1926. He remained a public voice for air power until his death on February 19, 1936. In 2003, Congress voted to posthumously commission William L. Mitchell as a major general in the Army.
Provenance:
Mrs. William Webb, Gift, 1991, NASM.1992.0013
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:
Bombing, Aerial  Search this
Courts-martial and courts of inquiry  Search this
Air pilots  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Air defenses -- United States  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Clippings
Citation:
William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks, Acc. 1992.0013, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.1992.0013
See more items in:
William Mitchell Trial Scrapbooks
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg28c55fc5e-ecb0-42ba-b10e-c7b883fc8ab1
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1992-0013
Online Media:

Helicopters in action

Author:
Adwill, James  Search this
Physical description:
iii, 92 pages illustrations 24 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1969
Topic:
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Helicopters  Search this
Military aeronautics  Search this
Aéronautique militaire  Search this
Hélicoptères  Search this
helicopters  Search this
Call number:
TL716 .A24
TL716.A24
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_3022

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