This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Warbird Military Service Records

Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:20 am

I’m looking for information on where to obtain warbird military service records. In this case, I am particularly interested in U.S. warbirds. However, as we are on the subject, information regarding records for warbirds of other nations could be useful for me or others.

Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:31 am

Can you be more specific on what you're looking for? A specific aircraft type? A specific type of information?

That's a HUGE subject that actually has many different answers depending on what you're specifically searching for.

Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:40 am

USN, USAAF, WWII era mostly. But USAF and RCAF would be helpful as well. Of course records from any nation could be helpful to me in the future or others working on their own research.

Thanks for the intrest, and fly safe Randy.

Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:13 am

For all Fleet Air Arm fixed-wing aircraft (Sea Furies etc, including RCN and RAN examples) their histories are in "Fleet Air Arm Fixed-Wing Aircraft since 1946", by Ray Sturtivant, Mick Burrow and yours truly, published by Air-Britain Historians and available here: https://www.air-britain.co.uk/actbooks/acatalog/Other_Military_Books.html

Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:16 am

I'd like to know how to obtain the USAF service records for our Museum's F-86F. Anyone?

Cheers!

Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:13 am

Go here for instructions.

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/co ... istory.cfm

Be warned the responce time varies from glacial to geologic.

James

Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:44 am

I use this to get operation information.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/faq.asp

Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:56 pm

Thanks guys.

James and Paul hit the nail on the head for me.

Are these free services?
I did see the 30 cent a page charge for documents over 20 pages on the Smithsonian page. Anything else?

How about Canadian records?
I could use some of these also.

Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:23 pm

Some useful links here...
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Links.php#ResearchAids

Mike

Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:28 pm

My sister lives blocks form the Air and Space Museum where the wwII to the 1950's service cards for aircraft are kept. She charges a $60 Fee to take the train to the research center by appointment and pull history records for people. If you're interested let me know ( PM ) and Ill set you up. That goes for anyone that needs aircraft records pulled. Thats pretty cheap to consider you can wait until the aircraft htis age 90 to get this info. And when you find out it costs $9 each way to get to the center and make an appointment and spend 2 hours looking through microfiche, its pretty non-profittable, but its her donation to the warbird restoration effort!

Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:36 am

Ok,

I got one of the record cards I sent away for today. Paul those guys at the Air Force are quick. I highly recommend them. The only problem is they wouldn't process a second request for me.

I'll still try to sweet talk them into one or two more.

So now my question is.......HOW DO I READ THIS THING?????

In the last hour (since I got it in my hand) I've been able to translate some but I still have no idea what a lot of it says.

Who can help me translate.

Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:58 am

scan it and send it to me and ill translate. they only do one a year. my sister goes there on her own as a side business for $60 per visit for people to copy additional cards for people cause she lives only 20 mins away.

email it to my account and ill send you a typed translation
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