Air Power

Manuscript Collections

MSS 002 – Papers of Christopher Clark
Example: Box 11/Folder 88 – Research material relating to Australia’s military map-makers, including photocopy of ‘Operations record book’, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF, Point Cook, 1925-1932

MSS 012 – World War 1914-1918 photograph collection
Black and white photographic record of Australian Infantry Forces during and after World War I.

Example: Folder 1 - E4609: The wreckage of two British aeroplanes which collided in flight near Ypres, Belgium, 20th September 1917; Folder 2 - E3767: An enemy armour-plated, two-seated fighting biplane brought down early in October near Sonia Wood, Beaurevoir sector, France, 10th October 1918; Folder 3 - E4145: German aeroplane wrecked on the Bickendorf Aerodrome, near Cologne, Germany, December 1918, when the 4th Squadron Australian Flying Corps, was established there, E5122: Electric landing lights used in connection with the observation tower for sighting aeroplanes, erected by the Germans at Flavion, Belgium, 25 April 1919, B1601: A view of Jerusalem, photographed from an aeroplane of the Australian Flying Corps, B5989: 'Above the Clouds in Palestine', Australian aeroplanes in battle formation; Folder 6 - Hun plane which surrendered in mid-air to Australian airmen, Bailleul Aerodrome

MSS 025 – Papers of Roy G. Bettiens
The papers chiefly comprise press clippings, notebooks and scrapbooks relating to Australian aviation history, Bert Hinkler and Charles Kingsford-Smith. Also included is Molly Rackemann's research collection on Charles Kingsford-Smith, which she donated to Bettiens.

Example: Folder 17 – Aviation history, General; Folder 21 – scrapbook photo album, including Harry Butler and Bert Hinkler

MSS 075 – Papers of Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Mackay Burrell
Example: Letter from F.H. Kelly, The Bristol Aeroplane Company Limited, 27 February 1953, photograph taken when three Bristol Sycamore MK50 aircraft were delivered to HMAS Vengeance at Weymouth.

MSS 095 – Papers of Frank Korbl
Comprising 50 scrapbooks (including newspaper cuttings, brochures, invitations, letters, maps, menus, newsletters, photographs, postcards, programs, receipts, souvenirs) principally relating to his service as an RAAF Vietnam War pilot.

Example: Folder 9 – RAAF news, ‘Golden Jubilee 1921-1971’ issue, March 1971; Folder 20 – Scrapbook, January-April 1981, relating to RAAF history and Diamond Jubilee

MSS 161 – Papers of George Odgers
Manuscript of Aces wild (1988) by George Odgers, official World War II historian and former RAAF Group Captain who served in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam.  In 1965 Odgers was appointed Head of Public Relations, Department of Air, and in 1975, Head of Historical Studies, Department of Defence.

Example: Box 1/Folder 2 – typescript manuscript of ‘Aces Wild’, with editorial corrections

MSS 176 – Papers of John Croyston
Radio producer with the ABC Drama and Features Department, writing and producing many dramas (including a feature on the bombing of Darwin) and co-producer of The Poet's Tongue.

Example: Folders 34-43 – Bombing of Darwin research for ABC television dramatisation: including plan and photographs of RAAF Station Darwin 1942

MSS 182 – Papers of Robert Alexander Little
Typescript notes, photocopies of biographical and military material and photographs collected by Vera Brettell relating to the life of Captain Robert Alexander Little, who served with the Royal Naval Air Service in Squadrons 1, 3 & 8, and with the Royal Air Force in Squadron 203 during World War I.

MSS 200 – Papers of the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion
Nominal Roll, 4 Platoon, B Company Roll Book, diary extracts, newsletters, newspaper cuttings, poster, cloth colour insignia badges and photographs relating to the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion collected by former officer Michael Fleming.

MSS 231 – Papers of General Sir John Wilton
Box 5/Folder 2 – souvenir photo album (b&w) documenting Unison 65 (the Commonwealth Inter-Service Study, Cranwell, England), including images of RAF flying display

MSS 366 – Papers of John Coates
Research material used for the publication of Coates’ Bravery above blunder: the 9th Division at Finschhafen, Sattelberg and Sio (1999). It includes photocopies of military archival material held in Australia, the United States and Britain, detailing the Huon Peninsula Campaign in New Guinea in 1943-44; interviews with Japanese prisoners of war and, post-war Japanese commanders; audio cassette interviews with Australian commanders; and maps of the Huon Peninsula area, and selected maps used for An atlas of Australia's wars.

Example: Japanese Navy prisoners-of-war interrogation reports – No. 71 – Japanese naval land-based air operations in western New guinea; No. 77 – Operations of 22nd air flotilla in Malaya; No. 97 – Air operations by Japanese Naval Air Forces based at Rabaul; No. 116 – Japanese land-based air operations – Celebes and Rabaul

MSS 355 – Papers of John McCarthy
This collection comprises photocopies of Australian government documents relating to World War II and research material for various publications by the historian and academic John McCarthy.

Example: Folders 4-7 – Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) and other air matters

MSS 336 – Richard Northam
This collection contains photographs, plans, cards, leaflets, booklets and miscellaneous on US and British aircrafts, mostly from WWII and the 1950-60s

MSS 371 – Papers of Brian Beddie
Papers and reference material assembled by Professor Brian Beddie relating to Australian defence policy and administration.

Example: Box 27/Series 10/Folder 9 – Notes on organisation of the RAAF; Box 46/Series 11/Folder 10 – RAAF history and development
 

Rare Books

 

Early Flight & Aviation History

Aeronautical prints & drawings
W. Lockwood Marsh (William Lockwood), 1886- 
London : Halton and Truscott Smith, 1924.
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (folio TL 515 .M25 1924)

De Havilland Comet maintenance engineer's lecture notes
De Havilland Aircraft Company. Servicing School
Hatfield, Hertfordshire : De Havilland Servicing School, 196-? 
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (TL686 .D4 1960)

First World War

Reports of movement of the enemy's aircraft
Great Britain. Army.
France : Army Printing and Stationery Services, 1918
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (D 600 .R46 1918)  Great Britain. Air Ministry.
London : H.M.S.O., 1923.
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (TL710 G73 1923)

Souvenir of ninety-four gift battle-planes which helped us to victory August 4th 1914 to November 11th, 1918
C. Alma. Baker
London : The Field Press, 1920
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (UG 1242 .B35 1920)
 
The struggle in the air, 1914-1918
Charles C. Turner (Charles Cyril), 1870-
London : Edward Arnold, 1919
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (D602 .T8 1919) 
 

Second World War

Aircraft

Aircraft national markings
Australia. Air Board.
Melbourne : Victorian Railways for the Air Board Melbourne, 1942
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (TL603 .A37 1942) – Plan cabinet

The use of oblique air photographs
Great Britain. War Office.
London : War Office , , 1942
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (UG476 .G73 1942)

War planes of the Second World War
William Green 1927-2010.
London : Macdonald, 1960-1968
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (TL685.3 .G728 1960) 

Asia

Air operations in Burma and Bay of Bengal January 1st to May 22nd, 1942
London : H.M.S.O, 1948
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (folio D767.6 .A4 1948)
 
Nippon's army airforce : Japanese army aircraft colours and markings in the Pacific war...and before
Ian K. Baker
Camberwell, Vic : Ian K. Baker, 1992
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (VG 95.J3 B35 1992) 

Nippon's naval air force : Japanese navy aircraft colours & markings in the Pacific war - and before
Ian K. Baker
Rev ed., Camberwell, Vic : I.K. Baker, 1991
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (VG95.J3 B35 1991) 

Europe

Air operations by the Allied Expeditionary Air Force in N.W. Europe from November 15th, 1943 to September 30th, 1944
Trafford Leigh-Mallory 1892-1944
London : H.M.S.O., 1947
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (folio D786 .L45 1947)
 
There's freedom in the air : the official story of the Allied Air Forces from the occupied countries
Great Britain. Air Ministry; Great Britain. Ministry of Information.
London : H.M.S.O., 1944
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (D785 .G7) 

RAAF - WAAAF

Life in the R.A.A.F. 1942-1945
Richard Noel Levy; Australia. Royal Australian Air Force.
Bendigo, Vic : Richard Levy, 1993
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (UG635.A8 L48 1993)
 
These eagles; story of the R.A.A.F. at war
Australia. Royal Australian Air Force; Australian War Memorial
Canberra : Australian War Memorial, 1942
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (D792.A8 A5 1942)
 
They speed the eagles : the story of the W.A.A.A.F. (the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force)
Patricia Massey-Higgins; Australia. Royal Australian Air Force.
Sydney : F.H. Johnston, 1943
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (UG635.A8 M3)
 
Those air force days : being the true story of an enlisted man in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1942 to 1946 : the everyday life of its airmen, the air war in Darwin and a pre war and post war autobiography
Gordon Wallace 1918-
Surrey Hills, Vic : G. Wallace, c1986
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (D767.8 .W3 1986) 

Post-Second World War

Middle East

Flight from the Middle East : being a history of the Royal Air Force in the Arabian Peninsula and adjacent territories, 1945-1972
David Lee 1912-
London : Ministry of Defence, Air Historical Branch, 1978
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (UG635 .G7)
 
The strategic air lessons of the Gulf War
Gary Waters 1951-
Canberra : Australian Defence Studies Centre, University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, 1992
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Folio Collection (DS 79.72 .W37 1992)

Vietnam

The RAAF in Vietnam : Australian air involvement in the Vietnam war 1962-1975
C. D. Coulthard-Clark (Christopher David), 1951- ; Australian War Memorial
St. Leonards, N.S.W : Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial, 1995
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Main Collection (DS558.6 .A8 O3 vol.4 1995)

Salute to Vietnam Veterans 17-20 August 2006 : 40th Anniversary Battle of Long Tan
Australia. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs; Australian War Memorial
Canberra : Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs, 2006
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (plancab DS558.6 .A8 S2 2006) 

Today

What it takes to become an air force officer in five easy steps
Australian Defence Force Academy; Australia. Dept. of Defence
Canberra : Dept. of Defence, c2000?
Available at Canberra, Academy Library Special Collection (folio UB415.A8 W43) 













Collated by Special Collections: 2019
Updated: Aug 2020