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: 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:
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
"Memorandum. Germany. German Airplanes." Source: Prepared by MI2. Positive Branch, Military Intelligence Division, General Staff.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D587, Folder D52.1 D.F.W. / 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
01/10/1919
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - Germany - German Airplanes
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Report on a visit to the works of de Havilland Aircraft Company, Ltd." Source: M.I.D. 2083-543. England-13. R.14268.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D587, Folder D52.1 D.H.27 / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
August 2, 1922.
Scope and Contents:
Aeronautics - Great Britain; Airplanes - de Havilland 27; Military Intelligence Division - England; [Aircraft ditching in the ocean]
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of de Havilland 29; by Maj. Melvin Hall." Source: M.I.D. 2083-420/1. England 12292.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D587, Folder D52.1 D.H.29 / 2
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
July 18, 1921,
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland 29; Military Intelligence Division - England
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Report on German Daimler light airplane L-15 by W. von Langadorff." Source: M.I.D. 2082-490/3. Germany D-5728.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 Daimler / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Aug. 28, 1924
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - Daimler L 15; Military Intelligence Division - Germany - D-5726
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Characteristics of the de Boyesson airplane being constructed in Japan." Source: M.I.D. 2085-279. Japan 4778.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Boyesson / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Dec. 16, 1922.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - De Boyesson; Military Intelligence Division - Japan
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Information on the radio controlled de Havilland Queen Bee." Source: M.I.D. 2280-A-122/10. England 38,359.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Havilland / 12
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Nov. 9, 1936.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland Queen Bee; Military intelligence Division - England 38,359
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Handbook on the radio controlled de Havilland Queen Bee." Source: British air ministry. S.D. 147. M.I.D. England 45556.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Havilland / 15
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Nov. 26, 1941
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland Queen Bee; Military intelligence division - England 45556
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Report on the de Havilland 106 jet propelled civil transport aircraft." Source: Military intelligence division. Report R 3587.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Havilland / 22
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
July 16, 1947.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland 106; Military intelligence division - England - 1947 - R 3587;
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of the de Havilland 53, light monoplane." Source: M.I.D. 2083-673. England 16124.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Havilland 53 / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Dec. 11, 1923.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland 53; Military Intelligence Division - England 16124
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of the de Havilland 77, new interception fighter." Source: M.I.D. 2082-1195/1. England 28,661.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D588, Folder D52.1 de Havilland 77 / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
June 20, 1930.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Havilland 77; Military Intelligence Division - England 28,661
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Trials of bomb installation in de Havilland Mosquito with the alternative of one four-thousand-pound bomb, or four five-hundred-pound bomb." Source: Aircraft and armament experimental establishment, Feb. 19 1944. Military intelligence division, Engla...
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D589, Folder D52.1 de Havilland Mosquito / S-6
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Feb. 19, 1944; April 27, 1944
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes- de Havilland Mosquito - Armament; Military intelligence division - England 67897
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Trip through the de Havilland factory at Hatfield to inspect Mosquito aircraft." Source: M.I.D. England 44204.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D589, Folder D52.1 de Havilland Mosquito / 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Aug. 25, 1941.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes-de Havilland Mosquito ; Military intelligence division - England 44204
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Information on de Havilland factory at Hatsfield, England and de Havilland Mosquito airplane being produced there." Source: M.I.D. Canada 991.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D589, Folder D52.1 de Havilland Mosquito / 9
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Jan. 12, 1942.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes-de Havilland Mosquito; Military intelligence division - Canada 991
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Brief information on Delanne 10c2, French tailless airplane." Source: M.I.D. England 41,633.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 Delanne / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Sep. 26, 1940
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - Delanne 10 C2; Military intelligence division - England 41,633
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"General description of de Marcay 4C-1 monoplane pursuit." Source: M.I.D. 2081-509. France 7384-W.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 de Marcay /
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
July 3, 1923.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - Demarcay 4 C 1; Military Intelligence Division - France 7384-W
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of the de Monge monoplane, built to enter the speed contest of the Deutsch de la Meurthe at Etampes." Source: M.I.D. 2081-155. France 4744-W.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 de Monge / 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Oct.27, 1921.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Monge; Military Intelligence Division - France
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of Buscaylet-de Monge pursuit type 52 c1. ." Source: M.I.D. 2081-409. France 6530-w
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 de Monge / 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Dec. 20, 1922
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Monge 52 C1; Military Intelligence Division - France
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Characteristics of the Buscaylet de Monge airplanes, types 72 and 74." Source: M.I.D 2081-618/1/2. France 8101-W.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 de Monge / 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Nov. 24, 1923.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Monge 72; Airplanes - de Monge 74; Military Intelligence Division - France 8101W
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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
"Description of the de Monge 52 C 1 monoplane pursuit." Source: M.I.D. 2081-635. France 8260-W.
Collection Creator:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio) Search this
Container:
Box D590, Folder D52.1 de Monge / 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
Dec. 26, 1933.
Scope and Contents:
Airplanes - de Monge 52 C 1; Military Intelligence Division - France 8260-W
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection 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