Original U.S. WWII US Army Air Corps Carved Wooden Personal Photo Album
-
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an absolutely beautiful carved wooden clad personal photo album that belonged to a member of the US Army Air Corps. It appears he served in the years leading up to the American entrance into the war and during the war.
There are many names written on the pictures and pages throughout the album, but not once does the Airman mention his own, it’s all labeled as just “Me” whenever he appears in a photo. The album shows what appears to be his progress while a Cadet in the Air Corps, leading all the way up to him in a proper US Army Air Corps uniform after receiving an officer's commission. There are 181 pictures in total showing various scenes of military installations, barracks life, academics halls, training, different aircraft types with labels, leave and liberty life, being home with friends and family, aircraft hangars, parades and formation and many more. The album measures 11 ½” x 10” x 2” and appears to be without damage. This wooden style definitely added to the preservation of the pages and pictures. All photos are still very clear and easily identifiable.
This incredible album comes ready for research and display!
Context is everything when preserving old photo albums. The order in which an album was put together meant something to the creator and may give you clues about the photographs if they’re not identified. If at all possible, keep old albums in their original order. It’s okay to remove loose photos, but make a note of where they came from.
The older albums such as these usually withstand the ravages of time. The leather or fabric covers may wear, but the pages stay well intact. The black paper albums of the early 20th century are more fragile, while the glue from magnetic albums can damage photographs. And, as with all old photographs, keep albums in a safe, climate controlled environment.
Aviation Cadet Training Program (USAAF)
The Flying / Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program was originally created by the U.S. Army to train its pilots. Originally created in 1907 by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, it expanded as the Army's air assets increased. Candidates originally had to be between the ages of 19 and 25, athletic, and honest. Two years of college or three years of a scientific or technical education were required. Cadets were supposed to be unmarried and pledged not to marry during training. From 1907 to 1920, pilot officers were considered part of the Signal Corps or the Signal Officer Reserve Corps. After 1920, they were considered part of their own separate organization, the U.S. Army Air Service (1918–1926).
The U.S. Army Air Corps Training Center (USAACTC) was at Duncan Field, San Antonio, Texas, from 1926 to 1931 and Randolph Field from 1931 to 1939. Two more centers were activated on 8 July 1940: the West Coast Army Air Corps Training Center (WCAACTC) in Sunnyvale, California, and the Southeast Army Air Corps Training Center (SAACTC) in Montgomery, Alabama. The SAACTC was later renamed the Gulf Coast Army Air Corps Center (GCAACTC). In 1942, the Army moved the WCAACTC from Moffett Field to Santa Ana Army Air Base (SAAAB), located on West 8th Street in Santa Ana, California.
On 23 January 1942 the USAAF created the separate Air Corps Flying Training Command and the Air Corps Technical Training Command to control all aspects of technical and aviation training. Originally formed in Washington, D.C., they moved to facilities at Fort Worth, Texas, in July. They were renamed the Army Air Forces Flight Training Command and Army Air Forces Technical Training Command respectively in March, 1942. They were later unified as the Army Air Forces Training Command (July, 1943 - June, 1946).
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
