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Nimitz Library

British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation, 1928-1929: Finding Aid

Published in 1997

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 331
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation
  • Dates: 1928-1929
  • Size: 0.21 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 half-manuscript box
  • Creator: Great Britain. Embassy (U.S.)
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: The unnamed British Air Attaché likely responsible for the production of the Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation served at the British Embassy in Washington, DC under Ambassador Esme Howard. The reports, which were produced between 1928 and 1929, consist of intelligence reports on the state of American Naval Aviation.

Biography of British Air Attaché

The unnamed British Air Attaché likely responsible for the production of the Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation served at the British Embassy in Washington, DC under Ambassador Esme Howard, who served as Ambassador from 1924 to 1930. In addition to serving as a liaison between British and American air forces, the British Air Attaché likely would have been tasked with preparing intelligence reports on American military aviation.

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Description of Contents

The British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation, comprising 0.21 linear feet of documentation, were produced between 1928 and 1929, and consist of intelligence reports on the state of American Naval Aviation.

Included among the reports are aircraft design drawings, data tables, flow charts, and a map.

The four reports focus on American naval aircraft specifications and performance; naval aviation policies, organization, and tactics; U.S. Marine Corps aviation work in Nicaragua and China; naval aviation training; and the integration of aviation into coastal defense.

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Arrangement

The British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation are arranged chronologically.

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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased in March 1997. Accession No. 97-17.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional documentation on the state of American naval aviation in the late 1920s can be found in the William Adger Moffett Papers, 1904-1948 (bulk 1918-1933), MS 198, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

British Air Attaché Reports on U.S. Naval Aviation, MS 331

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1997. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1997 and revised by David D'Onofrio in May 2014.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Airplanes, Military -- United States
  • Coast defenses -- United States
  • Flight training -- United States
  • United States. Marine Corps -- Aviation
  • United States. Navy -- Aviation

Genre Terms

  • Manuscripts
  • Reports
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

U.S. Naval Aircraft Performances, 1928 December 3

The reports note information on individual aircraft models, such as weight, fuel consumption, speed, rate of climb, service ceiling, and dimensions. The report also includes design drawings.

Includes reports for the Boeing FB-1, FB-3, FB-5, F-2-B-1, F-3-B-1, and F-4-B-1; the Curtiss F-6-C-1, F-6-C-2, F-6-C-4, F-7-C-1, and OC-1; the Vought FU-1, UO-1, and C-2-U-1; the Wright Apache; the Loening Amphibian OL-3, OL-4, OL-5, and OL-6; the Martin T-3-M-2, T-4-M-1, T-2-D-1, TN-1, and TB-1; the N.A.F. PN-10, PN-12, and PB-1; and the Consolidated NY-1.

Box 1 Folder 2

U.S Naval Aviation Resume of U.S. Naval Opinions, Ideas, and Policies, 1929 March 27

Contents include subsections on U.S. Naval Aircraft Policy (heavier-than-air, lighter-than-air, aircraft carriers, personnel), Aircraft Squadrons of the Fleet, Fundamentals in the Employment of Naval Aircraft (objectives, superiority, cooperation, economy of forces, security, etc.), Tactical Employment of Naval Aircraft (tactical requirements, fighting, scouting, torpedo attacks, attacks on surface craft, chemical warfare, anti-aircraft, etc.), Tactical Employment and Requirements of Aircraft Carriers (proposed design, future development, U.S.S. Lexington, Requirements in Naval Aircraft, Peace Programme at the Conclusion of the Five-Year Programme, Recent Developments to Meet Requirements (new aircraft specifications), Naval Manoeuvres 1929, and U.S. Marine Corps Aviation (Marine work in Nicaragua and China).

Box 1 Folder 3

U.S. Naval Aviation Training, 1929 April 26

The report notes information on aviation training course syllabi, equipment, and logistics.

Contents include chapters on Requirements as to Qualified Aviation Personnel, Sources of Naval Aviation Personnel, U.S. Naval Academy, Elimination and Indoctrination (Hampton Roads and San Diego), U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola, U.S. Naval Reserve Flight Training, U.S. Navy Aviation Mechanics' School (Great Lakes), and Lighter-Than-Air Training (Lakehurst).

Includes a hand-drawn map, flow chart, and equipment specifications for Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Box 1 Folder 4

U.S. Seacoast Defense and the Employment of Aviation. Resume of U.S. Opinions, Ideas and Policies, 1929 May 16

Contents includes subsections on General Data (aerial forces, naval forces, land forces, missions of harbor defense, characteristics of naval attacks, etc.), Employment of Observation Aircraft and Balloons (mission classification, communications, cooperation with shore batteries, etc.), Employment of Bombardment Aircraft (cooperation with other armed forces, bombs to be used, altitude and method of attack, etc.), Employment of Diving Bombers (advantages, policy, defense against, comparison to altitude bombing, etc.), Employment of Attack Aviation, Employment of Pursuit Aviation, and Employment of Combined Air Force in Coast Defense.

Box 1 Folder 5

Report Covers, 1928-1929

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