The museum is home to the Michal Cwynar memorial archive. The archive is normally closed to the public, but academics and others undertaking research are invited to arrange a visit with our archivist who can be contacted through the Contact Us page.
The Museum’s archive and library collections hold a diverse amount of material. The archive contains manuscript items – log books, notebooks and the like – and a wide range of printed material on many different topics and covering all periods. Various collections of photographs are held, including images from airfields and war theatres around the world, from World War 2 and later.
Naturally, the collection also includes documents of all kinds relating to R.A.F. Dumfries, aviation in the area and people from the area who served in various different capacities in the British armed forces around the world. Material on R.A.F. Dumfries is not abundant and the Museum will welcome loans or donations of any relevant items.
Some of the archival material is displayed in the Museum, but much of it is held in store. Selections from the archive collections are being made available on the web site and these can be viewed below. It is planned to continue adding documents to the handful currently available.
Selections from the Archives
PH247 – Fleet Air Arm Aircraft at Lossiemouth
The late James Clark was am enthusiastic photographer throughout his career in aviation in different parts of the world, finally including in North East Scotland. The Museum holds more than 400 photographs taken by him. This selection of photographs shows … Continue reading →
PB232 – Air Stories
Air Stories was a monthly magazine published from 1935 until early in World War 2. Although it mixed fact and fiction in its coverage, fiction seemed to have been especially popular, with stories of air fighting in the First World … Continue reading →
PB699 – Battle of Britain Week Souvenir Programme – RAF Dumfries, 1952
In September every year the R.A.F. holds a Battle of Britain Week to collect funds for the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. Each week culminated in R.A.F. station “at homes” and associated air and ground displays. This is the programme for the … Continue reading →
PB735 – RAF Dumfries Autograph Book, 1943
Teresa McNabola (later Richardson), from Edinburgh, was a W.A.A.F. stationed at R.A.F. Dumfries from 1942 to 1945. In 1943 she began to compile an autograph book with signatures of personnel at the station. The book has 37 entries, seven of … Continue reading →
PB244 – Programme for The Scottish International Aviation Meeting, Lanark, 1910
The official programme for Scotland’s first air show gives a distinct flavour of the times. It contains numerous advertisements, both local and national, as well as full details of the event. One page of advertisements is included in this selection. … Continue reading →
PB282 – Royal Flying Corps Rigging and Servicing Notes
The Museum’s archive holds various log books, notebooks and similar handwritten documents, mainly from World War 2 and the post-war period. There is also a small number of such items from the First World War. This handwritten notebook was compiled … Continue reading →