Air Force History Question.

[BushwickBill]

Hello,

I'm trying to research a crash that occured in Northern California during 1946. I guess planes were falling out of the sky quite often because there was only a small mention in the local paper. We found a big radial engine while mountian biking and I'm becoming quite curious. The newspaper says the aircraft was a B-17 with 8 aboard. No mention of crew names.

How can I go about researching old military records? Would the military consider releasing old documents or copys of old documents? I know the exact date departure airport and planned destination and aircraft type but thats it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mud Eagle]

Ask that question at:

www.warbirdinformationexchange.org

I'm sure you'll get some good assistance there.

 

[pilotyip]

I believe there is public access to Air Force historic records and I think members our Museum the Yankee Air force have made trips to Maxwell Air Force Base in montgomery, AL to research the history of our warbirds

 

[BushwickBill]

Thanks

Pilotyip,

I'll look for the contact info for Mobile AL. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Huggyu2]

If I find it, I'll let you know, but there's a website out there with California crashes. Try googling it.

 

[11Davis11]

You could also try sending a letter to Air Force Public Affairs with all the info you have and ask if there is anything they can provide under the Freedom of Information Act. The accident may have occured long enough ago that records are releasable.

 

[BushwickBill]

Great news.

The packet of documents arrived from the air force. It will be a great thing for a local history project.

Is there a place I can get specific answers to questions about military terms?

For example the mission type was S-2. They were transporting people around I think but it would help to know if that really was the purpose of the flight.

Is there a "dictionary of terms for the Air Force?

Thanks for all of your help guys. The air force really helped kick things up a notch.