WEFT Is a System for Aircraft Identification. Black, white, and blue-green duotone, illustrated print providing an aircraft identification aid. Illustrations of seven planes, each with an insert showing the silhouette of wing, engine, fuselage and tail. Prepared and distributed by Army Orientation Course. (NASM)
Aircraft recognition dates back to the beginning of aviation and heavier-than-air flying machines. The purpose was more pronounced during World War I when the need to determine friend from foe was more apparent. Pilot's weren't completely reliant on just the shape of aircraft but since they flew slow enough and close enough that they could, more simply, be recognized by their countries markings. It wasn't until World War II that, due to the speed and distance between aircraft, silhouettes of the aircraft shape were being more heavily reliant on. But what was the best way to show new pilots how to recognize aircraft?
Early Aircraft Recognition Silhouettes, NASM.XXXX.1052, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
During the first World War, aircraft were painted with large symbols that described what country they were from. However from a distance all you have in the basic shape, whether standing on the ground or by spotting aircraft from a distance, like from a spotting balloon. The basic shape of an aircraft, or its silhouette, is what most soldiers and pilots had to rely on. The most basic shapes, even in drawing is called a 3-view to describe three dimensional objects, usually from the Top, Side, and Front views. The brain then fills in the gaps between these shapes to come up with a more complete three dimensional object. These was easy enough to draw on paper or making poster to hang in briefing rooms or in places that soldiers can test their knowledge on recognizing aircraft. But the limit to this is not having a physical model of dynamic views on each of these aircraft.
Accurate scale model aircraft have often been helpful in training recognition of aircraft, range estimation and determination of cones of fire. In December 1941, the Secretary of the Navy asked the US Commissioner of Education for the schools to make 500,000 scale model airplanes. This alliance resulted in a joint project between the US Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics, who supplied the authoritative drawings and plans, and the US Office of Education, who prepared educational and informational material. (NASM)
So why not make these models out of wood? Woodshop was practically a universal school experience for many children in the early parts of the 20th century. During World War II, the number of aircraft grew exponentially and the need for aircraft models were paramount. But many companies and production facilities were busy producing war materials as required by government contracts. Making model airplanes were left to smaller companies to aid in this particular effort. The same with how schools could also support with their woodshops. Just give them the instructions for how to make and assemble these models and call it good, right? Well, most of the models could be accepted but the problem was, they weren't consistent, nor accurate enough to be used across the board for service. They government and military needed something that can be easily produced. Doesn't use materials that are required for major war productions. And cheap and easy enough to ship across the world for civilian and military use in aircraft recognition.
1:72 scale WWII-era aircraft silhouette models made of heavy cardboard: for training aircraft spotters. (OHTM)
Enter, the Cardboard Silhouette Model. At the time, this wasn't a brand new concept but one that had been expanded on for a much greater purpose. Toy airplanes like small, three piece cardboard models use to come in cereal boxes or something sold over the counter. More than 80 years later, and that fact still hasn't changed much. But why not take that simple, toy like concept, and use it for more practical purposes. Burton-Rodgers inc., a synthetic training aid company decided to take on the challenge started their first production run in March of 1942. There idea was simple, "It is the object of our invention to produce a cut-out pattern in a flat sheet and an airplane model to be constructed therefrom which gives a correct silhouette of the plane from front, side, rear elevation and plan view. Such models can be furnished at a relatively low cost and when put together according to instructions will serve as study models whereby various styles and makes of aeroplanes can be recognized" These models were designed and patented in 1942 by Co-Operative Displays, the name Burton-Rodgers use to go by before their name change and is now a subsidiary. They seemed to be successful, selling a record number of models each month with military and civilian contracts. However, the problem of them being mistaken as "toys" and made of cheap cardboard material made them practically disposable than practical.
German Bf 110 fighter recognition model (NMUSAF)
So what to do next? Aircraft recognition by 1943 was becoming more and necessary for anyone. This is were plastic, injection molded models, come in. More respected, due to their more sturdy nature and higher level of detail. They were now the ultimate use of aircraft recognition. But during their time of production, plastic isn't what it is today. Cellulose acetate, the stuff that would be used to make film stock, was the primary plastic of choice for the time. However, over the years, many of these models have deteriorated and shown their age. At the time, this wasn't a concern because the war lasted till 1945 and they were no longer needed after that. But from the perspective or archiving and collecting these models, they have been slowly waning away.
The Historical Aviator at Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino with reproduction cardboard recognition models.
Much of the technology humans have used through history has been lost or replaced. Think how much use you get out of your phone or computer? Digital technology has been able to replicate and replace much of the things we had to do with physical tools to demonstrate concepts. However, what we loose is the tactile nature of what learning is suppose to be like. For much of human history, we did our learning through activities, not books. If there was a skill to learn, you learned it by doing it. There is only so much someone can tell you about something before you have to experience it for yourself. Which is like how pictures and drawn images could only tell so much about recognizing airplanes. The help of physical models were needed supplement what they had only read about or saw on the page.