Catalogue description Barnes Wallis Collection

This record is held by Yorkshire Air Museum

Details of YAM 10
Reference: YAM 10
Title: Barnes Wallis Collection
Description:

Papers, letters and photographs relating to the life and inventions of Sir Barnes Wallis, including models and display material explaining his innovative work with airships, 'bouncing' bombs and 'earthquake' bombs

Date: 1890-2000
Held by: Yorkshire Air Museum, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

Barnes Wallis Trust

Subjects:
  • Wallis, Sir Barnes, 1887-1979, inventor and designer of aircraft
  • Air warfare
  • Second World War, 1939-1945
Administrative / biographical background:

Yorkshire Air Museum is at Elvington, on the site of the wartime bomber base in No 4 Group. It was originally designated as a grass airfield but was completely rebuilt with the addition of three hardened runways and re-opened in October 1942, with the arrival of 77 Squadron RAF, as a sub-station to RAF Pocklington. Grouped together with RAF Melbourne, these three airfields became known as '42 Base'. In 1944 77 Squadron moved on to Full Sutton station and later that year the French No 346 Squadron and No 347 (Tunisie) Squadron were based at Elvington, leaving in October 1945. In 1952 the base formed part of the expansion programme of the US Strategic Air Command, but was vacated in 1958. Training and testing was carried out on the base until it was finally closed. The Museum was opened to the public in 1986. Its displays include aircraft, engines, aircraft ancillary equipment, tools, radios, parachutes, dinghies, helmets; badges and medals; uniforms and flying suits; aviation books; air gunners' turrets and radios.

 

Some of the Barnes Wallis Collection, displayed in a dedicated building, derives from the Barnes Wallis Trust and the RAF Museum.

Link to NRA Record:

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