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Post by transporthistorian on Jan 18, 2019 15:56:57 GMT
Hello fellow historians / enthusiasts / spotters.
I have been considering starting to put together a register of every airliner starting in the Vimy Commercial / Spartan Cruiser era ever registered in the UK up to 2019 mainly for my own personal interest with the following format:
Reg Type Mk Date Registered Prev reg (if applicable) First Operator Date Period Second Operator Date Period Third Operator (etc.) Date Period Next reg (if applicable) Ultimate Fate.
My plan is to Use my Air Britain UK Civil Aircraft Register published in 1999 as a starting point for reference.
As this is the first time I have attempted such a project my plan is to only approach AB to see if they are interested in publishing/developing it once I have completed it for my purely personal use.
I just wondered if anyone else on this forum (i.e: other members) would find such a 'register' useful?
I would also be interested in feedback from any experienced register collators regarding my proposed format?
Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.
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Post by geoffnegus on Jan 18, 2019 16:33:06 GMT
Andy
First, I should declare an interest: I'm a member of the A-B Book Production Committee. So should you get to the stage of offering the Register for publication, I would be involved in the discussion.
My own view is that possibly too much of the potential subject matter has already been covered in our books. Airliners that have featured on the UK register that have already featured in A-B books include the Viscount, Constellation, Comet, the Lockheed twins, DH.4 and DH.9, Boeing 707, BAC One-Eleven, Avro Anson, Avro 748, ATP, Lancastrian, York and Dakota. Other, less numerous types, have been the subject of profiles in Aviation World. Projects on others are well advanced. In many cases, the amount of detail on each aircraft has been considerable.
You might argue that we haven't covered these types as a single register. True. But my colleagues would have to weigh up whether there would be adequate demand for a register, given what has already been published.
I suspect that you may shortly be meeting Malcolm Fillmore and Nigel Dingley. They might well have suggestions and advice that you would find valuable. Both have considerable experience in this field and informed views on what Air-Britain and the historian community would or would not be keen on. My advice is to talk to them before setting course.
Regards Geoffrey Negus
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Post by transporthistorian on Jan 18, 2019 16:45:03 GMT
Hi Geoff.
Thanks for that.
Yes my main thoughts behind the project would be to have the info in one single source and I will use a meeting with Malcolm I am hoping to have in February to get his experienced input.
If I can also meet Nigel face to face so much the better but I suspect that will depend on his availability. I will be emailing him anyway once I have fully digested his 'advice for new authors' document.
I have various questions I need to cover such as how does taking source information from other people's literature effect copyright? In which situations is formal permission required? I suspect it is a bit of a hornet's nest!
One thing I definitely won't fall down on is willingness to put in the effort on the narrative. The sourcing of photos might be more of a challenge for me (if relevant).
Thanks again for your reply which I will take fully on board!
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Post by geoffnegus on Jan 18, 2019 17:13:52 GMT
As one who was in journalism for 40 years and had to study the subject formally, I think I can give you a simple initial steer on copyright. - Items of information or data cannot be copyrighted. People cannot "own" information that has been published. - What can be copyright (though it isn't always) is the manner in which information is presented or expressed. There is a good concise guide to copyright and related rights at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/information-management/copyright-related-rights.pdfGeoff
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Post by transporthistorian on Jan 18, 2019 17:18:57 GMT
Many thanks Geoff
That's much appreciated
I will read the pdf and inwardly absorb!
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Post by transporthistorian on Jan 18, 2019 17:34:27 GMT
Geoff
One other quick thought but maybe one that can be discussed in more detail with Malcolm, Nigel, yourself and other members of the committee at some point if anything comes of this:
You point out that many of the Airliner type registers have been covered in considerable detail previously in various aircraft type monographs but for new members joining such as myself, purchasing them all individually could involve a considerable financial outlay, especially the more lavishly produced examples. Such a register would therefore allow enthusiasts with more limited financial means to access the information via a 'one stop shop' and also require less room for book storage.
I suppose the downside would be that it might discourage such members from purchasing remaining stocks of these existing monographs/registers so could in that respect be partially detrimental to the potential profitability of the Air Britain Charitable Trust!
The bottom line I suppose like all economic considerations would ultimately depend on demand and supply - something that you guys with your considerable experience would obviously be best placed to forecast.
Anyway just throwing a thought or two out there!
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