Original Items: Only 2 Kits Available. The basic principle of Surface Vessel recognition as with aircraft is familiarity with the total form of the object observed. The true character of a ship is not determined by a single feature or features but by the familiarity we may have with the total mass of the hull and superstructure, when viewed from great distances.

As in aircraft recognition, the salient recognition characteristics are shown in their simplest form by silhouettes. If this silhouette is further simplified into its basic masses, we obtain a silhouette where the minor details have disappeared, leaving only the real recognition features. It should be noted, however, that in one important respect ship silhouettes differ from those of aircraft. With planes, all three views are of nearly equal importance for correct identification, but in ship recognition, the use of the beam, or side view silhouette, is by far the most important. If the beam silhouette is thoroughly known, the ship can be recognized from either the surface or the air. This can be proven by examining any group of aerial views of ships.

Preceding each group of vessels of each nation represented in the manuals that would have accompanied these kits, is a chart of these simplified silhouettes representing a vessel of each class. These are arranged at the same scale for ease of comparison with each other and with other ships in the same class in other navies.

Sets of scale models of surface craft were available on request for supplementary instruction from the Bureau of Aeronautics for the Navy, and from the A. A. F. Training Aids Division, New York City, for the Army Air Forces. These are useful for detailed examination and for various forms of realistic display on surfaces simulating water under varying light conditions, such as study of fleet maneuvers. The models are particularly valuable since they may be displayed at any angle and may be viewed from above to illustrate views of ships or groups of ships.

Training in recognition of surface craft follows the same general pattern as in aircraft recognition. The principal value of the flash meter as a teaching device is that it forces the student to grasp total form as opposed to detail. It has already been indicated that this recognition of total mass is as essential for surface craft as for aircraft. Therefore, exposures of slides should be as brief as is consistent with the progress of the group being taught. While, in general, exposures will probably be at the one or one-half second rate, successful work on surface craft images has been reported at speeds up to 1/75 of a second.

The Kits In This Lot:
- ONI 202 Italian Naval Vessels: The kit contains 11 different types of vessels as well as an aircraft. Unfortunately, they are not original to the kit and are a mixture of French and German internal boxes with ships that may differ from the box label.

- ONI 201 Warships of the British Commonwealth: The kit contains 3 different types of vessels which are clearly marked. There are unfortunately no British vessels in this kit. There is a US North Carolina Class Battleship, US Essex Class Aircraft Carrier and a French Béarn Class Aircraft Carrier.

All models are in good condition as are the boxes, however, the boxes does have tears in the corners.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.