Posted:
By: Win Bryson
On: 03/26/2003
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Hi Sam: My hunt for the "Bluebook" started just like yours (except mine was in those ancient days before websites).
1. The "Bluebook" is the pictorial 401BG(H) Unit History originally published sometine after VE-day. It looks something like a high-school or college yearbook - it's over-size (about the size of a 3-ring notebook and over 1-ingh thick and) has a "padded" front and back cover. It's cover is blue, with a big tail section of a B-17 with the 401BG's triangle "S" and yellow "slash" stripe. It covers the Unit's history - both initiation in the USA, transfer to England plus base, personnel and 8thAAF activities through victory in Europe. It's attributed author is Capt. Closeway.
a. There was a second, 401BG Unit History publication - this one not pictorial, just a listing of the Unit's personnel and state-side addresses. It's small (about 6"x9" and less than 1/4-inch thick). I've seen it, but don't have one, and I can't even recall where I saw it.
b. In the "Bluebook" is a section with air-crew photos, a large number of them not identified b-name. From 401BG members, I learned that not only, in the rush to put the book together before "breaking camp" are there these unidentified crews, but also there are crews that are not pictured. Regardless, it's a marvelous Unit History.
2. The Bluebook has apparently been reprinted a few times - the photos in these copies are a "little" less "sharp" than in the original (I have a reprint, but I prize it, regardless, for the content.)
3. I have no idea what the "market value" for originals or reprints.
4. I first saw and read the "Bluebook" through my local (San Francisco) Public Library's inter-library service. They found and obtained a loan-copy from the US Air Force Academy, Colorado, Library. (As I recall the inter-library service fee was small and the loan period 2-weeks, just like any other book, and the library took care of shipping between libraries.)
5. The Air Force Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, has microfilm of the "Bluebook" pages (as they have of other 401BG documents), but this should only be a last resort - the quality of the microfilm varies greatly (so photocopies from it wouldn't be that nice), cost for that much (marginal quality) repro may not be "worth it"; and although the AFHRA staff have been always helpful, they are severely understaffed, so inquiried take a very long time to "turn-around".
6. With new "digital" repro technology, maybe "Bluebook" reprinting now could "match" original quality...hint...hint...hint.
Hope this "long-winded" reply helps "short-cut" your searching.
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