[ARC5] Getting Doc

[Robert Eleazer]

The only way I know to get documents from government records is to make an appointment at the appropriate facility, go there and look.  

I have been the NASM twice to do research on topics I wanted to write about.  Once you were there for a scheduled appointment they were very helpful.  And once you knew what they had it was easy to Xerox documents and to write down photo numbers so you could formally request copies.

For example, at the NASM I was able to find and copy a decaying but readable copy of the 1921 Washington Times newspaper front page that told of Billy Mitchell's sinking the German battleship, "Government Wastes Millions on Warships!  Airplanes are Superior! "

And I viewed and got the file numbers of photos of the first rocket powered manned flight in the U.S., an Ercoupe 415C at March Field.  Awesome! 

That was at the Air and Space Museum.  I'm sure the situation is the same at the USAF Museum, Navy Air Museum, National Archives, etc.

I have had little (none in fact) success with just writing a letter and asking for "anything on Subject X", despite the fact that I am a member of both Friends of the USAF Museum and Smithsonian Associates.

But you don't just walk in the door.  A specific date and time appointment is essential.  Once you are there they probably will be a bit more flexible relative to the allotted time.

Wayne