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
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
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
- 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
Air-Britain periodically organises events such as international aircraft fly-ins. [5]
Defunct publications
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
References
- ^ The Aviation Historian magazine on Facebook
- ^ Details at Charity Commission
- ^ Hooks, M.J. (1981). "Recognition Contest". Air-Britain Souvenir 81. Janes Publishing Company Limited: 6.
- ^ Simpson, Rod (2010). "Recognition Contest". Air-Britain Aviation World. 62 (3): 106. ISSN 1742-996X.
- ^ a b c Official website
-
^ "Aeroplane Monthly". UK: IPC Media Ltd. June 1981: 21.
{{ cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=( help) - ^ a b c "Air-Britain & Aviation World". The Aviation Historian (24). Horsham: 120. Autumn 2018. ISSN 2051-7602.
- ^ Pocketmags
External links
- 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/