Some people on here can provide copies of TNA files. Is anyone doing similar services for IWM files? I would like to have copies of some "private papers", like those of L.H. Couzens (Private Papers of L H and Mrs O Couzens) and Lt. M.E. Johnston (Private Papers of Lieutenant M E Johnston), who's in attached photo.
Quite some time ago, I managed to blag my way in there one afternoon without a booking. It was basically a 'no photos' policy, so was reduced to hastily scribbled notes. Things may have moved on but, if it's anything like their search functionality, possibly not for the better... I have recently ordered a scan of a small pamphlet that cost me around a tenner and turnaround was relatively quick. There's no harm in asking for a quote for Johnston's hopefully-not-too-big file to see if that's reasonable. I suspect Couzens's won't be economically-viable. And IWM will, of course, over-complicate things with 'private papers' and copyright.
You have to pay £10 for a photography pass now and can only order 10 boxes. If a collection has more than one, you can pick which ones that you need, however, it's potentially a lucky dip if they do not have it catalogued. I tried to order 10 collections (not realising that it was actually boxes...), which ended up having to be whittled down from 17 boxes. Fortunately they had a catalogue for one or two, but a couple I'm going in blind. Have never been previously, but am booked in for the 15th Dec.