RAF Air Historical Branch – Photographic Collection

I received telephone call from the AHB this morning. The MoD’s photograph collection, as held by the AHB, is not open to the public. I understand that they have contact prints or sheets bound in books, but visitors are not allowed access. They no longer provide a print service, where you once could order enlargements, but they do offer a scanning service – £10 for the first scan and £5 each thereafter – JPEGs or TIFFs burned onto the CD.

Now this is where is gets interesting. As you are not allowed to access their archive in person, you can only secure a scanned copy if you provide (I’m not making this up) a copy of the photograph (or negative number) for them to search for their own copy of the photograph to scan. They are unable to provide a photocopy of any index card or photographic contact sheet or enlargement.

Basically it’s pot luck. You write to them asking if they have any images from such ‘n’ such squadron or airfield and ask them to scan what they have £5 per go. The good news is that the AHB will be transferring part of their collection to the IWM.

It’s a real shame that the AHB isn’t more open to the public as I’m sure that income generated from print sales and increased awareness of RAF History would have benefitted a lot of people.