Virtual Museum -
Recogniton Manuals and Aids
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Ref. No. 953. IDENTIFICATION POSTER FOR A6M ZERO. July 1942. Original WWII poster manufactured in the United States. Wording at top reads: “Japanese Fighter Type Zero (“0”).” Shows top view, side view, silhouettes, position of guns and unprotected fuel tanks, plus performance data. At bottom of poster it reads: “Identification Poster . . No. 3 7/42 D.I.T.-A.A.F.- Identification Unit. From Data currently available. Restricted. U.S. Government Printing Office; 1942-O-477937.” |
Ref. No. 857. B-17 FORTRESS II
RECOGNITION MODEL. This model was made in England from shell
moulded plastic and is one of a series that were made in the 1:72
scale. The manufacturer is unknown but an identical model can be
seen at http://www.commercemarketplace.com/home/CollectAir/Museum.html
(see below). The modified example has clear plastic windows
and turrets added, as well as being painted. Even so, the models
share common features, including the upward curving tailplanes (a model
design defect and not evident on the real aircraft) and the raised word
“Fortress II” on the underside. Wingspan measures 420
mm. Length measures 310 mm. Recognition models like this were
often made from plastic, resin, cellulose and bakelite. 
Ref.
No. 124. IDENTIFICATION MODEL HUDSON. Circa 1940. Wingspan
350mm.
Length 265mm. Made from aluminium and originally painted black. Model
in three parts; top fuselage which includes tail, bottom fuselage, and
wing with engines. Stamped on bottom "HUDSON R/B OSNRB. Rare.
Ref.
No. 858. VIEWMASTER RECOGNITION REELS FOR US NAVY RANGE ESTIMATOR.
Circa 1940. These reels were used as a training aid in conjunction with
a stereoscopic “Sawyers Viewmaster”. When viewed through a Viewmaster,
the cards allowed aircrew to estimate the distance of a particular
aircraft when compared to two concentric circles which would relate to
those on a gunsight. The discs consist of a variety of aircraft and
groups of aircraft, each with its own number. The reels consist of
“Study Reels” and “Test Reels”. Some of these reels were
originally owned by an Englishman, Larry Bond, who flew Lancasters in
WWII. The reels in this collection, consist of the following.
Ref. No. 871. THE AEROPLANE SPOTTER,
2 January 1941 to 10 July 1948, Temple Press, complete set of
publications in nine binders. The Aeroplane Spotter ran for 217 issues
in 9 volumes. Initially published weekly, but became fortnightly during
late 1941, due to newsprint shortages. Launched with official
support just after the end of the London Blitz, this magazine quickly
became the focus for all the aircraft enthusiasts in the UK. It's
official function was to help improve the standard of aircraft
recognition among civilian air defence volunteers, but it effectively
launched the hobby of 'spotting'. It was also the first magazine to
cover military serial number and civil registration changes. With 12
pages in each issue, it contains features, photos and silhouettes of
the major aircraft types (both friend and foe), and news of the latest
types. Naturally, some information was ommitted for security reasons,
but generally this magazine was the best informed and best written of
the war years. After the demise of the magazine, many 'spotters' set up
their own organisations to carry on their interest - one of which was
Air Britain. As this title was printed on ordinary newsprint paper,
surviving copies experience a progressive discolouration of the pages
and the edges often become browned. An example of the cutaways
and photos is shown below with a Spitfire in the first issue.
Ref. No.
27. JAPANESE AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION HANDBOOK. 1944. Includes 25
aircraft
types. Restricted use - not to be taken into the air. Gives drawings,
photos, description and code names. Previously owned by E R Buttolph
F/O 432939.
Ref. No. 824. RECOGNITION BOOKLET –
AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION – HOW TO TELL FRIEND FROM FOE. 1939.
Second Edition, Second Impression. The Aeroplane. 36pp, illus., soft
cover.
Ref. No. 870. AIRCRAFT
IDENTIFICATION - PART ONE (REVISED) – FRIEND OR FOE? BRITISH AND
GERMAN FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS, 1940, The Aeroplane, 64pp., illus,
very good condition with staples removed. Details include
dimensions, type and size of engine, weight, fuel capacity,
performance, and includes narrative description with sillouette and
other illustrations showing markings. A rare, comprehensive and
original identification booklet.
Ref. No. 961. AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION -
PART TWO – BRITISH & GERMAN TROOP CARRIERS AND SEAPLANES/BRITISH
TRAINERS. 1940. Temples Press Ltd. 64 pp. Illustrated. Soft
cover.
Ref. No. 827. RECOGNITION BOOKLET –
AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION – PART TWO – GERMAN MONOPLANES. 1943.
The Aeroplane. 64pp., illus., soft cover.
Ref. No. 874. RECOGNITION BOOKLET –
AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION FREIND OR FOE – PART THREE – ITALIAN FIGHTERS,
BOMBERS AND SEAPLANES. 1941. The Aeroplane. 64pp., illus.,
soft cover.
Ref. No. 825. RECOGNITION BOOKLET –
AMERICAN MONOPLANES WITH THE RAF – PART FOUR. 1942. First
Impression. The Aeroplane. 64pp, illus, soft cover.
Ref. No.
719. JAPANESE AEROPLANES AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION – PART FIVE.
Prepared by the Aeroplane. First impression, second
edition. Published February 1943. Cover 21 Japanese Naval Air
Service aircraft and 21 Japanese Army Air Force aircraft. Soft
cover. Some stains. Small holes in cover.
Ref. No. 793 WAR DEPARTMENT, FM 30-30
AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION PICTORIAL MANUAL, 1943, Training Division,
Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, approx 100 pp, illus, soft
cover, cover torn, edge of pages tatty. Cover reads “This document
contains information effecting the National Defense of the United
States, within the meaning of Espionage Act, 50 U.S.C., 31 and 32 as
amended. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any
manner to unauthorized person is prohibited by law.” Includes US Army,
US Navy, UK, Reich, Japan & Italy. Rare item.
Ref. No.
84. AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION BOOKLET - LIST "A" ALLIED AIRCRAFT TYPES IN
NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC. Dec 1943. Royal New Zealand
Air
Force. Includes photographs and silhouettes. Aircraft are Aircobra,
Warhawk, Corsair, Dauntless, Dakota, Fortress, Electra, Voyager,
Wildcat, Hellcat, Avenger, Kingfisher, Seagull, Hudson, Ventura,
Lodestar, Lightning, Liberator, Catalina, Mariner and Coronado.
Ref. No.
792. WAR DEPARTMENT, BASIC FIELD MANUAL - MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
IDENTIFICATION OF U. S. GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT, 1941, War Dept -
Printed
by United States Government Printing Office, 92pp, photographs and
silouettes, reasonable condition, soft cover. This restricted document
was published to identify US government aircraft.
Ref. No.
11. RECOGNITION HANDBOOK OF GERMAN AIRCRAFT & RECOGNITION OF
JAPANESE AIRCRAFT. Circa 1939. Published by the Air Ministry. No
1480B.
Amendments page signed 26.11.42 by W P Berrell.
Ref. No. 1040. AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION –
SILOUETTES AND DESCRIPTIONS USA. Issued by the NZ Air
Department. This is N.Z. Air Publication No. 14B. Issued March 1943.
Printed E V Paul, Government Printer, Wellington New Zealand.
Ref. No. 1059. AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION GUIDE.
Issued by War Department, USA, and dated 15 October 1943. This booklet
was issued to individual soldiers in order to raise the general
standard of aircraft recognition. Covers British, American and
German fighter, bomber and attack aircraft.
Ref. No. 796. AIR MINISTRY, RECOGNITION
HANDBOOK OF JAPANESE AIRCRAFT, 1942, Air Ministry, 51 pages (one
sided), good cond but used. Front cover reads “For Official Use
Only. Air Publication 1480F Recognition Handbook of Japanese
Aircraft. Air Ministry.” Includes Ammendment List No. 11 dated
April 1942, which is loose (ammendments have not been incorporated).
Ref. No.
9. SCALE SILHOUETTES, PHOTOGRAPHS and "ODDENTIFICATIONS" of
well-known
British, American and German first-line aeroplanes, 1942, reprinted
from the "Aeroplane" and the "Aeroplane Spotter".