The Aviation Technical Manuals Collection contains over 40,000 original aviation technical manuals for aircraft, engines, aircraft components, and ground equipment.
Manufacturers and operators of aircraft and equipment produce large numbers of manuals for their air and ground crews. These manuals generally cover all phases of operation, from assembling the newly-purchased aircraft, operation and maintenance of the equipment, to storage of the equipment. Manuals are updated (revised) as new procedures are developed or modifications are made to existing models. New subtypes generally receive new manuals, although subtypes with the same procedures are generally grouped into the same manual, with new models being added in revisions.
Identifier
NASM.XXXX.0429
Creator
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division.
Date
1912-1987 bulk 1930-1945
Provenance
No donor information, temporary deposit, varies, XXXX-0429, unknown
Extent
1,765.61 Cubic feet (1375 records center boxes; 1 flat box; 2 microfiche boxes)
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection contains over 40,000 original aviation technical manuals for aircraft, engines, aircraft components, and ground equipment. The bulk of the material consists of military technical manuals (United States Air Force and Navy) with some civil aviation manuals as well. The bulk of the manuals relate to American-built equipment, although some foreign types are included. Whenever feasible, revisions are maintained separate from the basic manual.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Citation
Aviation Technical Manuals Collection, NASM Acc. XXXX.0429, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics
Airplanes, Military Aeronautical instruments Airplanes -- Motors Airplanes -- Design and construction Airplanes Aeronautics, Military Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States Aeronautics, Commercial Aeronautics