Welcome to the Fleet Air Arm Museum Centre for Naval Aviation Records & Research.
Archive
The collection covers a wide range of documents from official and private sources, related to the Royal Naval Air Service and the Fleet Air Arm. They cover areas such as aircraft, ships, equipment, air stations, operations and personnel. Amongst the most regularly consulted are the Squadron Line Books and Record Books, Air Publications and aircraft accident records.
The Centre also holds documents relating to service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines before and during the First World War. Personal papers from important figures in aviation are held.
The very large photographic collection covers all areas within the Museum's remit and is widely used by researchers and authors. It comprises material from both official and private sources.
Items mentioned on these pages are only a sample of what is held, and the collection is growing continuously.
Research
ARCHIVE RESEARCH SERVICES
Each year, the Archive Department of the Fleet Air Arm Museum assists hundreds of enquirers from all parts of the globe. Regular assistance is provided to genealogists, veterans, local historians, historians, modellers, aircraft restoration projects, the press and other commercial organisations.
The archive includes a range of documents related to the Royal Naval Air Service and the Fleet Air Arm, from official and private sources. It covers naval aircraft, personnel, air stations, operations, ships and equipment. Among the most regularly consulted documents are Squadron Line Books and Record Books, Air Publications and aircraft accident records. The archive holds some Royal Navy and Royal Marines service documents (see below), and personal papers of important figures in aviation. The extensive photograph collection covers all areas within the Museum's remit and is widely used by researchers and authors. It comprises material from both official and private sources.
Service Related Records:
The Museum holds some sets of documents relating to service before and during the First World War. They cover Royal Naval Air Service/Royal Air Force officers, Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (including Royal Naval Division) ratings and some officers. There are also some Royal Naval Reserve ratings records dating from 1908 to 1955.
PERSONAL RESEARCH - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the Archive Search Room will be open to researchers who wish to consult the archive in person. Charges apply. A range of finding aids is available and members of staff are always available to assist. Please contact the staff in advance to discuss your area of research. Due to the small size of the Search Room, a limited number of appointments is available and prior booking is essential.
POST AND EMAIL ENQUIRIES
We regret that the Museum is unable to answer enquiries by post or email, other than requests for copies of service related documents held in the archive. We may be able to answer simple queries by telephone, but if your enquiry requires any research you will be asked to arrange an appointment to visit the Museum in person.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Requests for copies of photographs should be phrased as precisely as possible. Photograph research by the Museum is an extremely limited service. Currently we will commit a maximum of one hour per enquirer. Charges apply. Those requiring large numbers of photographs MUST make an appointment to do their own research. Copyright and Data Protection legislation apply. Please note that many images in the collection are subject to Crown Copyright. Copyright clearances are the responsibility of the user.
For further information including Research charges etc, please download our leaflet.
To make an appointment, or for further information, contact the Archivist or the Curatorial Administrator:
Telephone 01935 842623 or 01935 842635
Email BarbaraG@fleetairarm.com or SusanD@fleetairarm.com