WEAPONS

[ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. ] 'Secret' typed thesis, with 71 diagrams, on the interception of atomic bombers, titled 'Turning Performance and Manoeuvrability of Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds by Lieutenant (E) R. A. Langley, Royal Navy'.

Author: 
Lieut-Commander R. A. Langley, Royal Navy [ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield; Nuclear War; Atomic Weapons ]
Publication details: 
The College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. May 1952.
£1,250.00

The problem with which the thesis deals is summed up at the start: 'If war broke out in the near future, attack by atomic bombers would become an immediate possibility, and one of the biggest problems would be the defence of this Island, which, with its areas of dense population, particularly around its essential industries, would present many ideal targets to the enemy. It would, therefore, be essential to destroy, or attempt to destroy, each enemy bomber before it reached the coast.

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[ Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston ] Issue of AWRE News, 'The Journal of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment', with article on cellular plastics by H. Briscall and C. R. Thomas.

Author: 
[ Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston ] AWRE News, edited by W. G. C. Perry; H. Briscall; C. R. Thomas;
Publication details: 
October 1966. 'The A.W.R.E. News is published monthly at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, and printed by G. W. Simpson & Son Ltd. (T.U.). 45, Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berks.'
£56.00

40pp., 4to. In slightly thicker wraps. In good condition, lightly-aged with slightly rusted staples. A professional production in a 'modern' style, with numerous illustrations and advertisements. Includes: 'Aldermaston News', 'Recreational Society News', 'The Formation and Properties of Cellular Plastics', 'Adlestrop', 'The Other Side of the Hill', 'Dragon Shows its Paces', 'Kings of Pop', 'How to win the Language Battle', 'An Astronomical Satelite', 'News from the Outstations', 'Welfare Notes'.

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[ A. E. Glennie, computer pioneer. ] Article titled 'A. E. Glennie describes Electronic Computers' in 'AWRE News | The Journal of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment'. With photographs of the IBM 7090 at Aldermaston.

Author: 
A. E. Glennie [ Alick Edwards Glennie ] (1925-2003), British computer scientist, developer of Autocode, colleague of Alan Turing [ Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, RAF Aldermaston ]
Publication details: 
A.W.R.E. News, vol. 8 no. 5. March 1961.
£100.00

44pp., 4to. Stapled. The complete magazine, in printed wraps with green masthead, on shiny art paper, with attractive 'modern' layout and numerous illustrations. Incongruous image on cover of girl and lamb. Glennie's article is on four pages, with a photograph of the author accompanied by a brief biography (ending 'He came to Aldermaston in 1955 and is now in S.S.C.M.') and three photographs of the 'IBM 7090 Electronic Data Processing Machine', one of them small, and the other two each half-page, and accompanied by a lengthy caption.

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[National Salvage Council, First World War.] Typed 'Urgent Memorandum' regarding the collection of fruit stones for 'an urgent war purpose' [i.e. for use in gas masks], addressed to councils and the Corporation of the City of London.

Author: 
London Government Board, Whitehall [National Salvage Council Caxton House, Tothill Street, London; First World War]
Publication details: 
London Government Board, Whitehall, S.W.1. 8 July 1918. ['Any enquiries should be addressed to the Director General of National Salvage, Caxton House, Tothill Street, S.W.1. [London]]
£56.00

1p., folio. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Duplicated typescript. Headed 'Urgent. | MEMORANDUM.' and 'Town Councils. | Councils of Metropolitan Boroughs. | Corporation of the City of London. | Urban and Rural District Councils.' The twenty-eight line text begins: 'All fruit stones including date stones and hard nut shells are immediately required for an urgent war purpose.

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[Printed 'RESTRICTED' British Civil Defence pamphlet with enamel 'I.C.D.S.' (Instructor Civil Defence School) badge.] Civil Defence. Notes for Volunteers. [With sections on 'Atomic Warfare', 'Chemical Warfare' and 'Biological Warfare'.]

Author: 
[I.C.D.S.; British Civil Defence, 1955; Civil Defence School; Atomic Warfare; Biological Warfare; Chemical weapons; nuclear war]
Publication details: 
At foot of final page: '(1204) WT. 39620. [number of copies:] 22,500 [date of publication, i.e. July 1955:] 7/55 [printer:] D & G Ltd.'
£80.00

39pp., small 4to. Stud-bound in brown card printed wraps. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with crease to front cover, to which the enamel badge is also attached, beside the ownership signature of 'E J Sayer' (Downing Street secretary Elizabeth Sayer, later Cooper.). First page dated in pencil '8th Sept', and pencil note in text of the 'permitted dose' of radiation.

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[John Henry Batchelor, illustrator.] Autograph Letter Signed ('John H. Batchelor') to an unnamed recipient, discussing his work and terms.

Author: 
John Henry Batchelor (born 1936), MBE, English artist and 'arguably the world's foremost technical illustrator' and 'the world's premier stamp illustrator'
Publication details: 
15 St Johns Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with water staining to a couple of words. Written in a stylish, calligraphic hand. He begins by thanking the recipient for a letter and postal order, before continuing: 'In case you are interested, I also do paintings of antique weapons. An example of my work can be seen in the August 1962 issue of "Guns Review".' He explains that such illustrations can be in either black and white or full colour, and concludes: 'If you have a particular favourite I shall be pleased to quote.'

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