----------------------------Original message---------------------------- We possess a relatively large collection of such charts. Perhaps more importantly, we hold Army Map Service textual records pertaining to the research done to identify cloth and printing methods that would meet the requirements of AAF flyers. One May 21, 1943, AMS memorandum on the subject states that the AAF originally requested such charts from the AMS after seeing charts use by the RAF. The first run of such charts produced by the AMS was a rush job on balloom cloth (2000 sheets of a North West Africa road map), which evidently had a tendency to fray. After some research, the AMS settled on "plain calendered taffeta dull acetate rayon." Such cloth was tested by both the National Bureau of Standards and the Fuchs and Lang Manufacturing Corporation for resistance to fading, mildew, salt-water degradation, and general weathering It passed with flying colors. It appears that most of the yarn and cloth was produced by the Celanese Corporation, with the Kaumograph Corporation in charge of lithography, however, a number of other companies were in contention before the contract was awarded (DuPont, Burlington Mills). Incidently, the cost of the cloth was 25 to 30 cents per yard for 42" width. DANIEL M. JANSEN, Archivist Cartographic and Architectural Branch National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001 (301) 713-7040, x. 228 (301) 713-7488 (fax) [log in to unmask]