Hi Alan, I assume these are the pages from the 76 Squadron ORB for January 1944, as I can't view the files on my iPad. I will have a better look tonight. Thanks a lot for this early Christmas present, much appreciated! Lee would check the other months I need, so this topic feels like an early Christmas for me!
Are the Form 540 s also digitised for RAF Stations or do I have to order the from TNA. What I am specifically looking for is RAF Dale August 1942.
Station ORBs have not been digitised, only Squadron books that had been previously microfilmed are downloadable. Lee
Thanks Lee, I missed this one when you first posted. I can grab 31 Squadron's books for when they supplied Chindit 1.
Hello all, Sorry have searched TNA site but found no definite answer... I wanted to get an AIR27 file containing 59 Squadrons operations for both the Berlin Airlift and in Germany upto 1961. Did a search between 1948 and 1961 and it came up with about 64 download files... so I am looking at about 200 pounds all up to download. I am going to be in the UK this year for two weeks and can probably make it to the Archives for a day but I just wanted to know a few details on "protocol" before booking or planning anything. Files that have been digitized, can I download these for free and onto an external USB drive at the archives? I don't need to print them, so would like to avoid that cost if possible. Files that haven't been digitized, such as AIR 1/1225/204/5/2634 which is 1917-1918 59's combat reports, is viewing then of the original microfilm? If so, what's the best way to copy them? I'm assuming a camera as per the way TNA do? I remember in the early 1980's using a machine with a light and a screen to view what I am assuming was microfilm at the library waiting for my mother to finish work... but I'm also assuming we wouldn't be let near the original microfilm at TNA? Any help appreciated. I have many files to get and only a day to do it so, proper time management is going to be a must! Thanks all. Lorenzo.
Lorenzo, I think it's still possible to download the digital files to your own computer when it's connected to TNA's own wifi. It used to be possible but then they suspended the service and then later again resumed downloads. I haven't checked recentl if it is still working or not. However it is a slow process, taking a few steps to start the download. The speed is slow and trying to grab multiple files simultaneously often caused issues with downloads failing. Basically it is going to take a lot of your time to grab 200 files. Is that AIR 1 listed as being on microfilm on Discovery? All the AIR 1 files I've looked at have been the origina documents. Lee
Just checked this morning, downloads are currently still working if connected to TNA wifi. Even seemed quicker than in the past. Lee
So if you bring your own device, like a laptop, and connect to the TNA wifi, you can download the ORB's for free?
Yes that's correct, I downloaded a file to my cell phone this morning. With ORBs it will be time consuming with two downloads per month. Larger files will also be split up into several ZIP archives which have to be downloaded separately.
Hello Lee, Thanks for the info and yes, I believe some of those files I mentioned are the original. Checked up on the process for those files and getting a readers ticket etc. I've given myself two to three days in London, was going to do some sightseeing but having done that all before, I'm happy to sit at the archives for the most part if needed, excited about it all really, haven't been back to the UK for 22 years, I'm sure a lot has changed! I'll take multiple devices, phone, tablet, Ipod and maybe a laptop, that'll speed things up! ThanKS again, much appreciated. Lorenzo.
Thanks for the post and link. I download a file quickly and easily. However, it took awhile to scroll to 437 Sqn.
Afternoon to all Can I just confirm that of you are linked into TNA Discovery Catalogue using their Wifi and at TNA then the ORBs can be downloaded for free? If so it might just save me a few pounds on my next few visits! Thanks Andy B
That's correct Andy. I often download files directly to my phone rather than bringing a laptop. However, it is a slow process especially for ORB's that are often split into 2 downloads per month which might then be split again into multiple PDFs if quite large. I also sometimes come across an issue when the download will just not work no matter how many attempts are made. So all in all a bit hit and miss and long winded but saves a lot of money if you have the patience. Lee
Just like to say a public thank Lee (Psywar) for the heads up about the downloading - when I got on the train home last Tuesday, I found I had downloaded a total of 255 ORBS/Combat Reports which has saved me a LOT of cash...... also had a right good day copying some Air 2 files (although I was locked away from the general public all day!) Just need to get a list done for the rest of them now !! Once again a BIG thank you Andy
A cautionary tale..... Was at Kew yesterday and saw that the ORBs I wanted (101 Sqn for 1942 and 43 and 76 Sqn for 1943) were digitised so thought I would pay and download them from home as I have been doing with WWI War Diaries. So today went to do that but found they have been split into month by month downloads each at the cost of £3.45. Found one that seemed to cover 1942-mid 1943 - AIR27/805 as a test so bought it - and found it had nine pages of mixed documents of no relevance and linkage. I won't be buying ORBs from TNA whilst they perpetrate this rip off! Why is it so different to what you get for WWI War Diaries?
Yes, very dissapointing how the ORBs are separate dowloads for part of months, especially as they are digitised from microfilm rather than the original books. Just to annoy you more, you could have downloaded them for free while you were at Kew - as long as your device is connected to their wifi. Lee