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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)
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