That's not a bad idea.

Of course there would have to be a strict rule that you wouldn't be allowed to wear them until you had completed the Tiger Moth training missions. LOL;)

Crappy phone camera, so my shots aren't as nice as RedToo's but I can concur about the linen thread backing.

Thought I'd post this shot as it's where all the screen shots have been taken ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ko417/map2.jpg


Map is printed on heavy paper reinforced with linen thread.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ko417/map1.jpg


Here is a worn area in the fold showing the thread.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ko417/map3.jpg


Until the boxed version arrives guess which map I'll be using personally... :razz:

The large red dots are airfields, the small red dots along the coast and in villages are balloon sites.

Nice work, guys, but it looks to me like Elvis left the building in page 2.
http://www.magicmomentsdjelvis.com/w...9/100_1187.jpg

...and said under Elvis' breath while leaving said building...

I have to agree to that OT about the gimmick in the box.
Maybe one could choose the box with german or english or
even french, polish or italian pilots wings, the german ones
maybe with a Balkenkreuz instead the swastika.
I would love it

It seems that the 1938 RAF maps were printed on plain paper as well as linen backed. I have just purchased another of these maps (north west England) from eBay and it doesn't have the linen backing. Identical in all other respects. Makes sense really - two versions at different prices. So a modern copy of the BoB map on good quality paper without the linen backing would still be authentic.

RedToo.

Maybe you were mugged? :cry:

I hate to say it, but:

- The backside looks way too white
- It seems the threads reflect light, maybe synthetic(nylon would make the era fit, still a little white though)?

:confused:

Hm... at first blush, I have to agree with Swiss.

Maybe it's a trick of the camera and lighting, but I don't think linen would be so reflective and the weave looks too wide (open), though it's difficult to get a sense of scale from the picture- the reflectivity *might* be due to the adhesive used rather than from the "linen" itself, but that is a total guess.
In the picture it almost looks like plasterer's (acrylic or nylon?) reinforcing weave which has been stretched here and there to create irregularities in the weave.

Disclaimer: I am absolutely NOT an expert. But I do own some heirloom linen items (bed sheets and French wedding stationary dating from the '30s with a decorative backing in what I believe to be linen). The linen on the wedding reception cards (which is closer to the same use as a map) was of a decorative design and does not exhibit any glossiness. As some ends of the design have come loose and there is no glossiness at all (indeed, it's difficult to tell what adhesive was used) I think it's most likely an ordinary water soluble white glue was used sparingly to lightly tack the design to the card- though I'm not sure of this as the moisture of white glue would probably affect the underlying cardboard and there's no sign of that having occurred. I'd ask my grandmother (it was for her wedding) but that would involve the use of a Ouija board ;)

Anyway, my first gut reaction to Swiss' comment was "hmmm... that DOES look fishy".


I dunno... just throwing some thoughts out there.

Well the "linen" backing I remember on old maps was more like that used in a surgical sling for a broken arm then that seen in a bedsheet. Much looser weave.

What seems to be coming to light is the maps were actaully printed on paper and backed with some material such as linen.
They were not printed directly on the material/linen.