Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For pilots, gunners, and ground observers during the Second World War, being able to identify friendly and hostile aircraft at a distance was a vital skill. Aircraft recognition thus formed an essential part of their training, and throughout the conflict a wide variety of training aids were developed - from manuals and periodicals to flash cards, games, slides, and 3D aircraft models.
0:00 Intro
1:10 Formation of the Royal Observer Corps
2:12 The WEFT System
5:36 The Renshaw System
8:37 Postwar Aircraft Recognition Training
10:00 Aircraft Recognition Periodicals
12:57 Quiz #1
14:52 Quiz #2
16:46 Quiz #3
17:18 Aircraft Recognition Manuals
18:54 Flash Cards / Playing Cards
20:58 Quiz #4
23:25 “Spotto!” Game
24:15 Projector Slides and Viewmaster
25:10 History of Aircraft Recognition Models
29:57 Aircraft Recognition Models / Quiz #5
32:51 Card Models
33:27 Hunt Range Trainer
34:48 Outro
“Evidence in Camera” Video: youtube.com/watch?v=H4ivQtThNko&t=1s
NDFRS Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=9K_kQ60gAl8&t=1s
youtube.com/watch?v=EEEZgINIL1A&t=534s
youtube.com/watch?v=Gc-HQLZ2-cE
youtube.com/watch?v=koOBXS1t7C8
Royal Observer Corps Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=hioQWT0vWZs&t=1s
youtube.com/watch?v=o3y0WmONP4E&t=2s
SOURCES:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0676791.pdf
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-archive/aircraft-recognition-slides-kahn/sova-nasm-2023-0022
roc-heritage.co.uk/1910s---1920s-formation.html
irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-01-80.pdf
usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/370835-wwii-spotter-recognition-aircraft-models
cartoonresearch.com/index.php/walt-disney-classified-weft-and-the-3-point-identification-systems
99percentinvisible.org/article/recognition-models-scale-world-war-miniatures-used-to-tell-friends-from-foes
joystickclub.co.uk/single-post/2020/06/08/recognition-models
modelingmadness.com/review/allies/bakerid.htm
oldnautibits.com/stock_php/infopage.php?catalogue=AMI&stocknumber=6858&frompage=share
airplanesandrockets.com/magazines/Uncle-Sams-Plastic-Air-Force-Sep-1973-AAM.htm
nysarchivestrust.org/application/files/2015/6891/1735/archivesmag_fall2019.pdf
For pilots, gunners, and ground observers during the Second World War, being able to identify friendly and hostile aircraft at a distance was a vital skill. Aircraft recognition thus formed an essential part of their training, and throughout the conflict a wide variety of training aids were developed - from manuals and periodicals to flash cards, games, slides, and 3D aircraft models.
0:00 Intro
1:10 Formation of the Royal Observer Corps
2:12 The WEFT System
5:36 The Renshaw System
8:37 Postwar Aircraft Recognition Training
10:00 Aircraft Recognition Periodicals
12:57 Quiz #1
14:52 Quiz #2
16:46 Quiz #3
17:18 Aircraft Recognition Manuals
18:54 Flash Cards / Playing Cards
20:58 Quiz #4
23:25 “Spotto!” Game
24:15 Projector Slides and Viewmaster
25:10 History of Aircraft Recognition Models
29:57 Aircraft Recognition Models / Quiz #5
32:51 Card Models
33:27 Hunt Range Trainer
34:48 Outro
“Evidence in Camera” Video: youtube.com/watch?v=H4ivQtThNko&t=1s
NDFRS Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=9K_kQ60gAl8&t=1s
youtube.com/watch?v=EEEZgINIL1A&t=534s
youtube.com/watch?v=Gc-HQLZ2-cE
youtube.com/watch?v=koOBXS1t7C8
Royal Observer Corps Videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=hioQWT0vWZs&t=1s
youtube.com/watch?v=o3y0WmONP4E&t=2s
SOURCES:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0676791.pdf
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-archive/aircraft-recognition-slides-kahn/sova-nasm-2023-0022
roc-heritage.co.uk/1910s---1920s-formation.html
irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-01-80.pdf
usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/370835-wwii-spotter-recognition-aircraft-models
cartoonresearch.com/index.php/walt-disney-classified-weft-and-the-3-point-identification-systems
99percentinvisible.org/article/recognition-models-scale-world-war-miniatures-used-to-tell-friends-from-foes
joystickclub.co.uk/single-post/2020/06/08/recognition-models
modelingmadness.com/review/allies/bakerid.htm
oldnautibits.com/stock_php/infopage.php?catalogue=AMI&stocknumber=6858&frompage=share
airplanesandrockets.com/magazines/Uncle-Sams-Plastic-Air-Force-Sep-1973-AAM.htm
nysarchivestrust.org/application/files/2015/6891/1735/archivesmag_fall2019.pdf
