rjg@uunet.UU.NET (Robert J. Granvin) (03/14/91)
From: plains!umnstat.stat.umn.edu!rjg@uunet.UU.NET (Robert J. Granvin) [mod.note: This would appear to be outside our military technology charter, but I figure that since the purpose is to support a hangar, and hangars are military technology, it's OK. How's *that* for a weak rationalization ? 8-) Replies by email only. - Bill ] Recently I posted a request for a list of countries that were considered as Allies during World War II. A reasonably definitive answer was sought, and a lot of people provided me with a lot of good information. The end purpose is for part of a longer-term hangar restoration activity. The Southern Minnesota Wing of the CAF resides in an original WWII Navy Hangar. While the SMW is primarily a restoration and maintenance wing, it is also working toward restoring the hangar to a more original WWII configuration, and also increase the amount of space used for its museum pursuits. Only one part of that goal is to recognize the major allied "players." We are blessed with a lot of old overhead pipes :-) which we can attach flags to. Fortunately, these are in unusable areas so are prime areas for flag hanging. Some flags have already been collected, but it's time to start trying to locate more. Comparing the list of Allies against the authentic flags I _know_ for a fact that we already have, there is a large number I still need to attain: Australia Belgium Brazil Canada China Denmark France Greece Netherlands New Zealand Poland South Africa U.S.S.R Yugoslavia One of the fortunate things is that many of these flags have not changed since the 1939-1945 period of my interest. This means that through only a little bit of work, I can locate and buy new flags. New flags, however, don't meet the desire of collecting and displaying artifacts, but it's a minor point. However, some countries flags, such as Canada for example, have changed since WWII, so an artifact is required. I am also interested in flags of countries that don't make the traditional lists that I've seen so far of "major allied players," such as Mexico, which also had flag changes since WWII. Of particular interest is countries that were overrun by Axis forces (Norway, Denmark, Poland, etc. etc...) The end result of this babble? :-) If you have in your possession any of the above flags, whether from the time period or not, and are willing to donate (or dispose of) it, please contact me to make arrangements. Flags that I acquire through donations will help towards the goal of our display. As a non-profit organization, it's difficult to go out and purchase things that aren't absolutely required for your operation (such as Pratt and Whitney radials... :-). (Donations are tax deductible, by the way...) Can anyone help? -- Robert J. Granvin E/Mail: rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu User Services Specialist AT&T: +1 612 625 9224 School of Statistics University of Minnesota