Information on period pilot maps

[winny]

Actually, if you're thinking of giving us some nice stuff in the box how about getting some SoW BoB pilots wings made up ?

[PilotError]

Originally Posted by winny

Actually, if you're thinking of giving us some nice stuff in the box how about getting some SoW BoB pilots wings made up ?

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

[jocko417]

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




Map is printed on heavy paper reinforced with linen thread.




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




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

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

[DuxCorvan]

Nice work, guys, but it looks to me like Elvis left the building in page 2.

[swiss]

Originally Posted by jocko417

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




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

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

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)?

[C_G]

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.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by C_G

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

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

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.

[C_G]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

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.

Hi Galway, thanks for the comment regarding the looseness of the weave.
Swiss and I are commenting directly on Jocko's picture. It seems fairly clear that maps printed on cloth (as opposed to on paper backed with linen for durability) were not likely in use during the BoB.
Cheers,
C_G

[Wolf_Rider]

http://escape-maps.com/history_of_ww...f_contents.htm

http://escape-maps.com/map_list_hist..._us_tissue.htm



http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Dec...ofSilkMaps.htm

"The silk maps were developed by MI9, the escape and evasion wing of British Military Intelligence. The cartography was supplied by the Bartholomew map company, with all copyrights waived in support of the war effort. Waddington plc, known for games such as Monopoly, employed its experience of detailed printing on fabric to print the maps with the required detail. The silk was specially treated for durability and the impressive printing clarity was achieved by adding pectin to the ink."


http://www.matrixgames.com/newsletter/march2008.html