USAF Museum

RESEARCH DIVISION MISSION STATEMENT

The USAF Museum Research Division maintains an extensive collection of two-dimensional media as part of a government historical research facility. While primarily providing curatorial and historical research and writing in support of the Museum's exhibits and aircraft restoration programs, the Research Division provides limited research assistance to many external organizations and private individuals seeking information about Air Force aircraft, operations, and personnel. The Division also serves as the Museum's corporate memory by maintaining the Museum's historical files and writing its annual history.

RESEARCH DIVISION POLICY

Our primary mission of internal support, plus security and staffing considerations, mean that the USAF Museum Research Division offers only limited public access. The Research Division considers research visit requests individually, with preference given to academic and public-benefit projects, i.e., scholars and researchers working on advanced degrees or material for publication. Due to staff workload and availability, we can accommodate only a limited number of researchers. All requests for research visits must be submitted in advance through regular mail. We cannot support same day requests, nor can we accept research visit requests submitted via telephone or email.

Research requests and visits must have specific goals and be narrow in scope. The USAF Museum Research Division cannot support generic information requests, or visits intended simply to browse our collections. For example, we cannot support requests such as "I want to know what you have on the C-130 aircraft." Each research visit is approved based on its own research merit. Due to staffing limitations, the Research Division cannot conduct in-depth research for the public. However, the staff can answer brief questions concerning USAF history and aircraft. No e-mail or phone-in requests are accepted. All requests for information about the USAF Museum's history or aircraft must be written and sent via regular mail.

The USAF Museum Research Division is located in a secure area of Wright-Patterson AFB and can be subject to closure as a result of heightened security conditions or other factors. Situations may arise that can cause the disruption or cancellation of a planned visit to the Research Division with little or no notice. We cannot accept responsibility for any costs that may result from the cancellation or interruption of a research visit due to security or other unforeseen requirements. Please bear this in mind when planning a research visit.

Written requests for information or in-person research visits must be typed or printed neatly and include the following information:

Complete Name
Title
Complete return address
Telephone number (include Area Code) and Extension (if applicable)
Complete and detailed information request and/or questions (must be specific)
Purpose for in-person visit, project synopsis

Signature Block
Mail your completed request to:
United States Air Force Museum/MUA Research Division
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7102

Note: Due to workload, response time to written requests for questions concerning Air Force history and aircraft may be quite lengthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

· Can I get an answer to a research question by email or phone?
No, all research requests must be written and sent via regular mail.

· How can I get permission to view the interior of an aircraft?
No, the USAF Museum does not allow access to aircraft cockpits and interiors. Special permission to access aircraft interiors can only be granted by contacting the Museum's Special Events Division at:
United States Air Force Museum/MUS
Special Events Division
1100 Spaatz St.
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7102

· Are there any aircraft cockpits or interiors open?
Yes, the interior of the four primary Presidential aircraft (VC-54, VC-118, VC-121, VC-137) and are open to the public. In addition, visitors may enter the C-124's cargo bay, and visitors may sit in two cockpit mockups (F-16 and F-4)

· I'm a scale modeler and I need three view drawings, detail photos, paint schemes, etc.
Because of the overwhelming demand for this type of information, Museum staff cannot support modeler's requests. The growing number of commercial publications containing this information is now filling the needs of most modelers.

· Can I order copies of technical information, manuals and reports?
No, unfortunately we are not equipped to provide the public with photocopy reproduction of archival documents maintained in the museum collection. For example, we are unable to provide copies of Aircraft Technical Orders, Technical Manuals, and Foreign Aircraft Evaluation Data. The only way to access this material is to schedule an appointment and visit the Research Division in person. In most cases, documents maintained by the USAF Museum Research Division are also made publicly available from the National Archives, The Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

· I need photographs for a book/article. Can you provide these?
No, we do not have the capacity to reproduce imagery except for official government requests. Visiting researchers may use our copy stand with their own cameras and film. Official USAF photography can be obtained at the following locations:

USAF photographs and film pre-1981 are available from the National Archives. National Archives and Records Administration
Still Picture Branch (for still media
Motion Picture Branch (for motion media)
8601 Adelphi Rd
College Park MD 20740-6001

USAF photographs and film post-1981 are available from the Defense Visual Information Center:
Defense Visual Information Center
Still Media & Motion Media
DVIC Customer Service
1363 Z St, Bldg 2730
March ARB CA 92518-2073

Additional aviation-related photography is available from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
National Air and Space Museum
Archives Division
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Room 3100, MRC 322
Washington, DC 20013-7012

· Do you have service records, unit histories, USAF accident reports or Missing Air Crew Reports (MACR)?
No, military service records are kept at the National Archives.
National Archives
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Branch
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

o Unit Histories are kept at the Air Force Historical Research Center
o USAF accident reports are kept at the USAF Safety Center
o MACRs are kept in various locations including the National Archives and Air Force Historical Research Center.
o See the library section FAQ on the Air Force Homepage for more historical research offices.

Please read the Privacy, Security and Use Statement and FAQ

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