ARCHIVE

"Archive" is Air-Britain's Civil Aviation Historical Quarterly, first published in 1980.

It was conceived as an outlet for information which might otherwise not be published in the mass-interest aviation press. The four main aims were:

1. To present complete historical civil registers from around the world.

2. To publish production lists containing detailed type histories.

3. To provide a forum for original and previously unpublished research.

4. To act as a data sharing and exchange medium.

"Archive" has never claimed to publish the last word on a topic, but by making information available it does hope to add to the total sum of knowledge! This is why the Feedback section is such an integral part of the magazine's approach.

Now at a regular 48 A4-size pages per issue, "Archive" is heavily illustrated; the latest 48-page magazine is the 114th issue and contains 123 illustrations, 18 of which are in colour. The contents are grouped as far as possible on even numbers of pages to allow series to be filed separately if desired. A full colour cover has been introduced since the first issue of 1999.

DHC-1 Chipmunk 22A G-AOTY at Pontoise 4.6.69 on a visit to the Paris Salon. (Jack Meaden)

The content of the latest issue, number 2 (Summer) of 2008, is as follows:

The Development of Commercial Aviation in China -

Part 5B: Japanese Airlines in Occupied China and Manchuria

This issue continues the history of the Japanese air services in Manchuria and China up to the end of World War 2. Specifically covered are the services and fleet of DNKKK (Greater Japan Airlines), Hui-t'ung (China Aviation Company), MKKK (Manchurian Air Transport Co) and KKKK (International Air Transport Co), with each type operated being listed. Timetable extracts and explanatory maps are included, as is a matrix of Japanese airline registration systems.

A Junkers Ju 86Z-2 registered M-223 with MKKK.

The Consolidated Model 16 Commodore

Closely linked to earlier parts of the series above because of the two operated by CNAC, this feature consists of a production listing of the Consolidated Commodore, illustrated with photos of several examples of the 14 built.

Consolidated Commodore c/n 4 NC660M "Cuba" in NYRBA colours.

The Civil Registers of Yugoslavia 1919-1991

The third part of a new series covering civil aviation in the former Yugoslavia. This includes the first entries in the YU- series from 1933 featuring YU-PAA to YU-PCA.

The Bloudek XV monoplane YU-PAO built by the Ljubljana branch of the Royal AC of Yugoslavia in 1930.

CallAir Production

Following the earlier feature on the IMCO / Call-Air A-9 and B-1 development this article continuess a production listing of mainly A-4 and A-5 models between c/ns 154 and 298.

Head-on View: The Cunliffe-Owen COA-1

G-AFMB was commonly referred to as the Cunliffe-Owen Flying Wing, or the British Burnelli OA-1, and this article describes its history, its predecessors and developments.

The Cunliffe-Owen COA-1 G-AFMB on roll-out at Eastleigh in January 1939.

Jack Meaden - The Flying Years

The second and final part of an article capturing the spirit of club flying in post-war years which is also intended as a tribute to "Archive"'s most prolific contributor, the late Jack Meaden. This part cover from 1959 to 1997.

Homebuilt Luton Major G-AYVN at Staverton at the time of its first flight 24.7.73 piloted by JM.

F.M.A. from 1927 to 1945

The story of Fabrica Militar de Aviones, Argentina, and the aircraft it produced. Continuing with the DL-22 trainer/ground attack aircraft and a listing of all 201 examples built.

The sole surviving FMA DL-22 at the Argentine Air Force Museum, Moron, as Ea-701.

F-1922 The French Civil Aircraft Register from 1922

A further update to the 1922 register published in full earlier, this issue covers additions between April and August 1926 (F-AIBQ to F-AIFG).

SPAD 56/5 F-AIEP of CIDNA was a modified model 56/3.

Casualty Compendium

This regular feature reports a variety of aircraft accidents each issue, mainly commercial, followed in the next issue by identification of the aircraft involved and the circumstances. The incidents are selected for variety, both in aircraft type and geographical location, and the responses are a popular reader-participation feature. This issue covers casualties between 2.5.70 and 12.8.70 and lists new items for identification from between 18.8.70 and 31.12.70.

Major topics covered by Archive in the past have included Pre-War UK registers, Impressments, Flying Clubs, The Dornier Wal, Fokker F.VII, Beech 17, Frati designs, Bolkow lightplanes, Sikorsky flying boats, Thai airlines, early airfields and many more. A complete index is available by e-mail on request to the Editor or may be viewed on the ab-ix files website.

Single copies available at £6.50 (UK) from e-mail mike@absales.demon.co.uk or save by subscribing..... see Membership Pages

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