Air-Britain

Summary

Air-Britain, traditionally sub-titled 'The International Association of Aviation Enthusiasts', is a non-profit aviation society founded in July 1948. As from 2015, it is constituted as a British charitable trust and book publisher.

History

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Air-Britain was formed in 1948 as an amateur association of aviation enthusiasts. In April 1968, it was incorporated into a company limited by guarantee, Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. On 16 April 2015, the status of Air-Britain changed from a Private company limited by guarantee, in the form of Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, to a British charity, in the form of Air-Britain Trust Ltd.[1][2]

Air-Britain organised an annual international aircraft recognition contest that started with an event in September 1961, for all-comers, and attracted applications from individuals and teams from various sources such as Royal Observer Corps (ROC), Air Training Corps (ATC), and Air-Britain regional branches. The annual aircraft recognition contest was discontinued after the 48th event held at Royal Air Force Museum London on 21 November 2009.[3][4]

Activities

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With over 2,500 members worldwide, Air-Britain publishes books about worldwide civilian and military aviation, that are sold via bookshops, air show stands, mail order, and via a secure sales website. Two regular journals are published, with coverage of both current and historical aviation themes.[5][6][7]

Journals

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Aviation World (all aviation) - quarterly[7]
Air-Britain News (current aviation) - monthly[7]
eABN (current aviation) - monthly (electronic magazine version of Air-Britain News)[8]

Events organised

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Air-Britain periodically organises events such as international aircraft fly-ins.[5]

Defunct publications

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Archived scans of many journals and books are progressively being made available as PDF files on CDs.[5]

Archive (historical civil aviation), 1980 - Dec 2017 (absorbed into Aviation World)
Aeromilitaria (historical military aviation), 1975 - Dec 2017 (absorbed into Aviation World)
British Civil Register News, 1948 - Jun 1953 (renamed British Civil Aviation News)
British Military Serial Numbers, 1950 - Jul 1954 (renamed British Military Aviation News)
Overseas Civil Register News, 1952 - 1957
British Civil Aviation News, Jul 1953 - Dec 1965 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest)
Overseas Airline News, Jul 1953 - Dec 1963 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest)
British Military Aviation News, Aug 1954 - Dec 1963 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest and Aeromilitaria)
Commonwealth Aviation News, Jan 1958 - May 1961 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest)
European Aviation News, Jan 1958 - Dec 1963 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest)
Aircraft Movements Review, May 1959 - Dec 1963 (absorbed into Air-Britain Digest)
Air-Britain Digest, 1948 - Dec 2002 (renamed Air-Britain Aviation World)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Aviation Historian magazine on Facebook
  2. ^ Details at Charity Commission
  3. ^ Hooks, M.J. (1981). "Recognition Contest". Air-Britain Souvenir 81. Janes Publishing Company Limited: 6.
  4. ^ Simpson, Rod (2010). "Recognition Contest". Air-Britain Aviation World. 62 (3): 106. ISSN 1742-996X.
  5. ^ a b c Official website
  6. ^ "Aeroplane Monthly". UK: IPC Media Ltd. June 1981: 21. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b c "Air-Britain & Aviation World". The Aviation Historian (24). Horsham: 120. Autumn 2018. ISSN 2051-7602.
  8. ^ Pocketmags
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  • Main website. http://air-britain.com/web/
  • Sales website. http://www.air-britain.co.uk
  • ABPIC - a photographic images website accessible to all comers for image uploads and downloads. http://www.abpic.co.uk
  • AB-IX - members-only e-mail forum for information exchange. https://groups.io/g/AB-IX
  • Air-Britain Information Exchange - Researchers' Corner. http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/
  • Air-Britain Message Board. http://air-britain.freeforums.net/
  • Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/airbritain/