Original Items: Only One Set of 12 Available. Aircraft recognition is a visual skill taught to military personnel and civilian auxiliaries since the introduction of military aircraft in World War I. It is important for air defense and military intelligence gathering.

Aircraft recognition generally depends on learning the external appearance of the aircraft, both friendly and hostile, most likely to be encountered. Techniques used to teach this information have included scale models, printed silhouette charts, slide projectors, computer aided instruction and even specially-printed playing cards.

In the US during World War II, civilians were enlisted into a Ground Observer Corps to support air defense operations, receiving training in aircraft identification.

The US military continues to use "WEFT" as a mnemonic for the major features of an aircraft: Wings or rotors to provide lift, Engines to provide power, a Fuselage to carry the payload and pilot, and a Tail assembly which controls the direction of flight. These elements differ in shape, size, number, and position. The differences distinguish one aircraft type from another. The individual components can be taught as separate recognition and identification features, but it is the composite of these features that must be learned to recognize and identify an aircraft.

The recognition boards in this set are all in wonderful condition and measure 18 ⅜" x 24 ¾” each.

The Boards Are As Follows:
- U.S. / U.K.
- Navy PB2Y-3 Consolidated “Coronado” Patrol Bomber: US Naval Aviation Training Division, November 1942.
- U.K.
- R.A.F. Fleet Air Arm Fairey “Albacore” Torpedo Reconnaissance: US Naval Aviation Training Division, December 1942.
- R.A.F. “Wellington” IV, V Vickers “Wellington” Heavy Bomber: US Naval Aviation Training Division, December 1942.
- R.A.F. Short “Sunderland” Patrol Bomber: US Naval Aviation Training Division, February 1943.

- Germany
- Army FW 200 K Focke-Wulf “Kurier” Bomber Transport: US Naval Aviation Training Division, November 1942.
- Army Heinkel “He IIIk” Medium Bomber: US Naval Aviation Training Division, November 1942.
- Army Junkers “JU 90” New Type Transport: US Naval Aviation Training Division, March 1943.
- Army Henschel “Hs-126” Reconnaissance: U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, February 1944
- Army Blohm und Voss “B.V.-141” Reconnaissance: U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, February 1944

- Japan
- Navy MacArthur Name “Hamp” Mitsubishi “Type 00 MK-2” (Square Wing Tips) Fighter: US Naval Aviation Training Division, March 1943.
- Army MacArthur Name “Lily” Mitsubishi “Type 99” Kawasaki Medium Bomber: U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, February 1944
- MacArthur Name “Jake” Watanabe “Type 0 MK-1” Reconnaissance: U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, February 1944

This is a fantastic set of genuine WWII US Navy aircraft recognition boards!

Comes ready for display.