From: AHB2 RAF1
Air Historical Branch MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Building 824 RAF Northolt West End Road Ruislip
Middlesex HA4 6NG
Telephone
(Direct dial)
0208 833 8162
(Fax)
0208 833 8170
(Military)
95233
8162
Mr P Ashby
Your Reference
Our Reference
D/AHB(RAF)11
Date
26 February 2009
Thank you for your e-mail of 22 February 2009 requesting information about Vulcan,
Phantom, Lightning and Buccaneer aircraft. I can confirm that we hold information about
the aircraft however the information that you have requested is already in the public
domain and therefore, under Section 21 of (FOIA), which permits us to direct enquirers to
information already in the public domain, I would ask you to consult the considerable
amount of material about these aircraft which is already accessible to the public. I am
afraid that it is not part of the FOI regime to provide alternative means of access to
information which is already freely available either through commercial publishing
operations or through existing publicly funded provisions. The FOIA rights are designed
to supplement, and not to duplicate, the ordinary circulation of information through
various extant means.
I enclose a list of sources, both official and unofficial, which will provide the information
you are seeking. I would draw your attention to 2 books in particular. These are “RAF
Squadrons” by Wing Commander C G Jefford and “Aircraft of the RAF since 1918” by
Owen Thetford. Copies of aircraft service history cards are obtainable from the RAF
Museum.
On 1 January 2005 the Freedom of Information Act came into force as part of the policy for open
government. The Air Historical Branch (RAF) of the Ministry of Defence is subject to this Act and, whilst we
continue to make every effort to provide the highest standard of service to our enquirers, we appreciate
that at times we may not be able to fulfil all their requirements. If the information enclosed does not
address your requirements or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then
you should contact the member of the Air Historical Branch who has sent the reply in the first instance.
Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an MOD internal review by contacting the
Director of Information Exploitation,
6th Floor,
MOD Main Building,
Whitehall,
London SW1A 2HB.
Such action must be taken within 40 working days. If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you
may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the
Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case
until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the
Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner’s website,
http://www.informationcommissoner.gov.uk
OPEN SOURCES OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (TNA)
The National Archives in Kew, London is the official repository for all documents
generated by government departments, including the MOD, which have been selected
for permanent preservation under the Public Records Acts. The documents in the TNA
open collections are accessible to members of the public and may be studied by any
interested individual. The TNA does hold some documents, which, for a variety of
reasons, are not yet open to the public. The public may visit the TNA in person or
request the TNA Search Department to undertake work for them. A fee will be charged
for this service, a practice that is in line with the Freedom of Information Act. The TNA
has a catalogue on the Internet, which can be searched from the TNA’s website at
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
The National Archives are divided into various ‘classes’ of information. These usually
have the prefix of the department of origin – thus, AIR relates to RAF material, WO
relates to War Office (Army) material, CAB to Cabinet Office, etc. Some examples of
RAF material the TNA holds are:
ROYAL AIR FORCE MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS
Aircrew’s Flying Log Books
Air 4
Chief of Air Staff
Air 8
Air Publications
Air 10
Unregistered
Papers
Air
20
AHB
Narratives
&
Monographs
Air
41
Combat Reports
Air 50
RAF COMMANDS
Balloon
Command
Air
13
Bomber Command
Air 14
Coastal
Command
Air
15
Fighter
Command
Air
16
Maintenance
Command
Air
17
Overseas
Command
Air
23
Training
Command Air
32
Ferry
&
Transport
Command
Air
38
Army
Co-operation
Command
Air
39
OPERATIONS RECORDS BOOKS (ORBs)
The TNA’s collection of RAF Operations Record Books (ORB’s) is a primary source of
RAF Information. All RAF units keep an ORB (known also as RAF Form 540) but the
quality of input to them varies. These records document the activities of the Unit and
may include details of the operations flown by Service personnel with listings of aircraft
and crews. An ORB can provide a researcher with a flavour of the life on a RAF Unit as
well as more specific details. The ORBs are held in the following classes:
RAF Commands
Air 24
RAF
Groups
Air
25
RAF Wings
Air 26
RAF Squadrons
Air 27
RAF Stations
Air 28
RAF
Misc
Units
Air
29
The TNA also holds other information relating to air matters in the
AVIA classes. This is
material which has been deposited by the Ministry of Aviation and includes some
information on RAF aircraft accidents, RAF sites, the Royal Aircraft Establishments, the
Ministry of Aircraft Production, the Air Transport Auxiliary etc.
RAF Narratives
The TNA also holds copies of official RAF Narratives.
WAR OFFICE (Army)
Information relating to the RAF can also be found in War Office material. Some of these
sources are as follows:
WO 235
War Crimes Papers
WO 309
War Crimes Files
WO 344
Interrogation Questionnaires (Liberated POW’s)
WO 345
Japanese Index Cards of Allied POW’s & Internees 1939-45
WO 356
War Crimes South East Asia
MOD LANDS OR FORMER SITES.
In addition to material such as ORBs, the TNA has a collection of maps and plans, some
of which relate to former military sites and property, as well as an Ordnance Survey
collection (including a set for the UK based on the old WWII military OS system). The
TNA's on-line catalogue can be used to search for information on specific sites. The
TNA also holds a variety of other files that may be of some assistance in clarifying details
regarding sites, such as the various committee papers dealing with reviews of the estate,
training lands etc. Two examples are:
AVIA 62
Estates Branch: Maps & Plans and Papers (Civil/Military Airfields).
CM4
Graves and Cemeteries.
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE WEBSITE
Official information can also be found on the Ministry of
Defence Website (www.mod.uk)
which has links to the 3 Services for more specific information. Researchers need to be
aware that there are numerous other unofficial sites on the internet, some of which
appear to be official or have official backing.
OTHER REPOSITORIES OF OFFICIAL MATERIAL
The RAF Museum
The RAF Museum at Hendon has a large archive of RAF related material including
RAF
aircraft records. The RAF Museum can supply photocopies of aircraft Service History
Cards (AM Forms 78), Aircraft Accident Cards (AM Forms 1180) and Bomber Command
Loss Cards for a small charge. The address of the RAF Museum is:
The Royal Air Force Museum
Grahame Park Way
Hendon
LONDON
NW9 5LL
Tel: 020 8205 2266
www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Other Services Aircraft Records
For information relating to aircraft operated by either the Royal Navy or Army you should
contact the following:
Navy Aircraft Records
Fleet Air Museum
Royal Navy Air Station
Yeovilton
Somerset BA22 8HT
Tel 01935 840565
www.fleetairarm.com
Army Aircraft Records
Museum of Army Flying Agency
Army Air Corps Museum
Middle Wallop
Stockbridge
Hants SO20 8DD
The Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum has a site dedicated to aircraft on the former RAF airfield at
Duxford near Cambridge. The IWM's main base is in Lambeth, London where there are
considerable archives containing official material. The IWM is the official repository for
imagery generated by the Ministry of Defence and its predecessors. The photographic
archive contains both still and moving imagery. The address of the Imperial War
Museum is:
The Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road
London SE1 6HZ
020 7416 5000
www.iwm.org.uk
.
Aerial Photographs
Official aerial photographs from the Allied Central Interpretation Unit, RAF Medmenham
which have been deposited with the TNA The collection comprises over 5 million
photographs from World War 2 and covers Europe. The collection is currently in the
process of being moved and will not be accessible until mid 2008. The Royal
Commission on Historial Monuments in England or their equivalent in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland controls all aerial photographic coverage of the United Kingdom.
SOURCES OF UNOFFICIAL MATERIAL
The Internet
Secondary reference materials and, occasionally, primary source documents may be
available on the Internet. It will also be of assistance in locating relevant local resources
(such as libraries, local government offices, local record offices etc) and national
information sources (such as The British Library).
It is worthwhile attempting a search on a subject through available search engines, as
this may take you to a specific webpage already compiled on it or lead you into other
areas of research not previously considered.
Reference Books
The following books are a good starting point as secondary sources for information about
the RAF.
Military airfields in the UK and some overseas
ACTION STATIONS, VOLUMES 1 TO 10
1.
ISBN 1 85260 377 1 - East Anglia
2.
ISBN 0 85059 484 7 - Lincolnshire & East Midlands
3.
ISBN 1 85260 375 5 - Wales & North West
4.
ISBN 0 85059 532 0 - Yorkshire
5.
ISBN 1 85260 374 7 - South West
6.
ISBN 1 85260 372 0 - Cotswolds & Central Midlands
7.
ISBN 1 85260 309 7 - Scotland, North East & Northern Ireland
8.
ISBN 1 85260 431 X - Greater London
9.
ISBN 1 85260 376 3 - Central South & South East
10.
ISBN 0 85059 682 3 - Supplement & Index
ISBN 1 85260 319 4 - Action Stations Overseas
Book 1 & 6 by Michael J Bowyer
Book 2, 4, 8 by Bruce Barrymore Halpenny
Book 3 & 7 by David J Smith
Book 5 & 9 by Chris Ashworth
Book 10
by Bruce Quarrie
Action Stations Overseas by S/Ldr Tony Fairburn
Published by Patrick Stephens Ltd
Aircraft
AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF SINCE 1918 by Owen Thetford
Published by Putnam & Co, London
ISBN 0 85177 810 0
RAF History
RAF SQUADRONS by Wing Commander C G Jefford
Airlife Publishing Limited
ISBN 1 84037 141 2
THE SOURCE BOOK OF THE RAF by Ken Delve
Published by Airlife Publishing Ltd
ISBN 1 8531 0 451 5
SQUADRONS OF THE RAF & THE COMMONWEALTH 1918-1988 by James J Halley
Published by Air-Britain Ltd, East Street, Tonbridge, Kent
ISBN 0 85130 164 9
RAF FLYING TRAINING & SUPPORT UNITS SINCE 1912 by Ray Sturtivant, John
Hamlin
An Air Britain Publication
ISBN 0 85130 365 X
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN THEN & NOW Edited by Winston G Ramsay
After the Battle Publication
ISBN 0 900913 46 0
MEN OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN by Kenneth G Wynn
Published by CCB Associates
ISBN 1 902074 10 6
THE BLITZ THEN & NOW Edited by Winston G Ramsay
After the Battle Publication in 3 Volumes
Vol 1 ISBN 0 900913 45 2
Vol 2 ISBN 0 900913 54 1
Vol 3 ISBN 0 900913 58 1
RAF BOMBER COMMAND
THE BOMBER COMMAND WAR DIARIES - An Operational Reference Book, 1939-
1945 by Martin Middlebrook & Chris Everitt
Published by Viking Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex
ISBN 1 85780 033 8
RAF BOMBER COMMAND LOSSES OF WORLD WAR 2 by W R Chorley
Published by Midland Counties Publications, Leicester, England
Vol 1 - 1939-1940 ISBN 0 904597 85 7
Vol 2 - 1941
ISBN 0 904597 87 3
Vol 3 - 1942
ISBN 0 904547 89 X
Vol 4 - 1943
ISBN 0 904597 90 3
Vol 5 - 1944
ISBN 0 904597 91 1
Vol 6 - 1945
ISBN 0 904597 92 X
Vol 7 - 1940-1947 (Heavy Conversion Units & Misc Units)
ISBN 1 85780 132 6
Vol 8 - 1939-1947 (Operational Training Units)
ISBN 1 85780 156 3
BOMBER COMMAND LOSSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND MEDITERRANEAN by
David Gunby and Pelham Temple
Published by Midland Counties Publications
Vol 1 – 1939-1942 ISBN 1 85780 234 9
(Further volumes expected)
RAF FIGHTER COMMAND
RAF FIGHTER COMMAND LOSSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR by Norman
Franks
Published by Midland Publishing
Vol 1 - Operational Losses: Aircraft & Crews 1939-1941
ISBN 1 85780 055 9
Vol 2 - Operational Losses: Aircraft & Crews 1942-1943
ISBN 1 85780 075 3
Vol 3 - Operational Losses: Aircraft & Crews 1944-1945
(Incorporating Air Defence Great Britain and Second TAF)
ISBN 1 85780 093 1
RAF COASTAL COMMAND
RAF COASTAL COMMAND LOSSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR by Ross
McNeil
Published by Midland Publishing
Vol 1 - Aircraft & Crew Losses 1939-1941
ISBN 1 85780 128 8
(Further volumes expected)
Aircraft Accidents
THE PRICE OF PEACE - A Catalogue of RAF Aircraft Losses Between VE-Day and
End of 1945 by Colin Cummings
Published by Nimbus Publishing, P O Box 3, Yelvertoft, Northants
ISBN 09526619 5 0
FINAL LANDINGS - A Summary of RAF Aircraft and Combat Losses 1946-1949 by
Colin Cummings
Published by Nimbus Publishing
ISBN 09526619 4 2
LAST TAKE OFF - A Record of RAF Aircraft Losses 1950 to 1953 by Colin
Cummings
Published by Nimbus Publishing
ISBN 0 9526619 3 4
TO FLY NO MORE - RAF Aircraft Accidents and Write-Offs 1954-1958
By Colin Cummings
Published by Nimbus Publishing
ISBN 0 9526619 2 6
LOST TO SERVICE- A summary of accidents to RAF aircraft and losses of
personnel, 1959-1996 by Colin Cummings
Published by Nimbus Publishing
ISBN 0 9526619 0 X
HIGH GROUND WRECKS AND RELICS, Aircraft Hulks on the Mountains of the UK and
Ireland by David J Smith
Published by Midland Publishing Limited
ISBN 1 85780 070 2
INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL BRANCHES
Office of Air Force History
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
(formerly RAAF Historical Records)
Militarwissenschafliches
Institut
Level
3 1030
Wien
Tuggeranong Churches Centre
Arsenal
205
Anketell
Street
Objekt
1
Tuggeranong
ACT
2900
AUSTRIA
AUSTRALIA
RCAF
Historical
Section
Haerstabens Militaerhistoriske Arbejder
Access of Information &
Sondre Magasin 2
Privacy Co-ordinations Office
Kastellet
PO
Box
7000
2100
Kobenhavn
0
Charlottetown DENMARK
PE1 C1A
CANADA
The National Research Records Centre
Armee de la L’Air Service Historique
Military Personnel Records
Chateau de Vincennes
Air Force Section WWII
BP 110 – 00481 ARMES
9700
Page
Boulevard
FRANCE
St. Louis
Missouri 63132
USA
USAF Historical Research Agency
Musee Royal de l’Armee et
Reference Division, Building 1405
d’Histoire Militaire
Maxwell Air Force Base
Parc du Cinquantenaire 3
Montgomery
B
–
1040
BRUXELLES
Alabama
36112-5000
BELGIUM
USA
Sotahistoriallinen Tutkimuslaitos
Mauritzgatan 1
Helsingfors 17
FINLAND
Document Outline
