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Research help

The American Air Museum’s archive is a rich resource to help put the experiences of your relatives into context.  

Please note

We do not have the resources to give individual responses to requests for family history research. The American Air Museum does not hold personal service records or official documentation. 

Research guides

Our useful guides can help you to find out more about the people, aircraft, places, missions, units, and media which make up your family history.

Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group visit the local water pump. ©IWM (FRE 1002)

Places research guide

Read our guide on how to find out the history of places associated with US forces in Britain
Pilots of the 56th Fighter Group sit along the body and wing of a P-47 Thunderbolt, probably at Boxted air base where the 56th FG were based between 18 April 1944 to 9 September 1945. Passed for publication on 17 July 1944. ©IWM (FRE 169)

Unit research guide

Read our guide on how to find out the history of US Army Air Force units
A meteorologist prepares a weather map for the 379th Bomb Group. ©IWM (FRE 1249)

Missions research guide

Read our guide on where you can find information about US Army Air Force combat missions
Second Lieutenant Clifford McIlveen and his brother First Lieutenant Clarence McIlveen, both of the 385th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress, October 1943 ©IWM (FRE 4960)

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IWM research facilities

IWM's extensive collections reflect people from all walks of life. Our research facilities provide the widest possible access to our collections, including printed material, documents, sound, film, photographs and more

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Explore our stories

Your can find more information about some of the events, people and themes recorded in our archive in our stories