Information on period pilot maps

[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

[peterwoods@supanet.com]

Suggest you check the map legend again Jocko. the small red dots (note they are always on a black, ie railway line) are railway stations. I would expect that the legend would also indicate the difference between airfields with red circle with dot and plain red circle. Figure alongside each airfield would be height above mean sea level.
I have some pre-war motoring maps, most printed on "linen" but I suspect the actual material is a very loose weave cotton thread. Must dig them out.
For my money either "linen" backed or plain paper would be great. Map style, ie level of detail, topography and colours should be as that shown in Jacko's post.
Pete

[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

[LegTaste]

Word from the RAF museum is that linen backed ordnance survey maps were indeed used during the battle of britain, they were printed from engravings.

So although the maps posted are from different years, they should be good examples.

[Pursuivant]

Luthier,

If you want to include a map printed on silk or rayon you'll need to talk to a textile company which does short runs of screen-printed fabric and/or garment manufacturing (to hem the scarves after the roll of printed fabric is cut into individual maps). They'll be able to give you a much better idea of what's technically feasible, as well as the costs involved and minimum production run.

The good news is that silk printing is something at which China has traditionally excelled and they still dominate the industry. The bad news is that finely printed silk scarves which incorporate lots of colors and intricate designs are generally luxury products and are priced accordingly. Another bit of possible bad news is that various countries might have odd customs regulations and duties regarding textiles.

I've handled early 20th century maps made from printed oil cloth or paper/cardboard backed with linen. As another poster pointed out, a good substitute would be a map printed on Tyvek. Another alternative would be a maps printed on pre-folded cardstock or cardboard. These hold up fairly well and they've been a standard of the board game and traditional wargame business for a century.