The Ron Howard Archive and Collection
The centre of the archive is contained in fifteen chronological ring binder files (1951 - 1993), containing photographs, programmes, news clippings, technical papers and correspondence chronicling the history of Elliott Brothers and the subsequent constituent companies of Marconi and GEC. They record Ron Howard's involvement with the development of, among others, the VC-10, Boeing 747 and Concorde, with an emphasis on automatic flight controls systems, one of his key areas of interest. The material was sent by the family of the late Ron Howard and received by the RAA in 2019. A description of the items and a short biography of Ron Howard can be seen in Document D0618
The Collection has a number of quite early scientific instruments and some personal items
RAA Catalogue No. and Description
C1713
Verners Pattern Prismatic Compass VIII. Elliott Compass in Leather case
C1714
Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner was born in 1852 and commissioned into The Rifle Brigade in 1874, retiring in 1904. He served on the staff in the Egyptian campaign of 1884-85 and during the Boer War. He died in 1922. This is a Verner Cavalry Sketch Board, by Elliott Brothers, London, c.1887
C1715
Ivory rectangular (4 1/2”) Protractor (top) made by Elliott Bros.C1716
A six-inch ivory sector dating from between 1854 and 1880 made by Elliott Bros.
C1717
A Telescope. No makers name can be seen.
C1723
A Galvanometer made by Elliott Bros London
C1724
A set of Draughting Instruments in a case made by Elliott Bros
C1725
A compass manufactured by Elliott Brothers between 1854 and 1865. #228 has a Gold spindle.
C1726
A compass manufactured by Elliott Brothers between 1854 and 1865. This one has no serial No. but has a silver spindle and is marked L.F.Heath
C1739
Elliott Desk ornament.
C1741
SBAC Past President Badge
C1742
An Aneroid Barometer with its leather case. The double ended pocket Aneroid Barometer is signed by John Henry Steward. It has a leather case.
C1743
An Aneroid Barometer calibrated in ins Hg and Feet as an Altimeter There is no makers name. It has a gold case and a leather case.
C1744
Accelerometer
C1745
Airspeed Indicator
C1746
Ron Howard's personal Flying Helmet with Oxygen mask and Goggles.
C1747
A Telegraph Lineman's Galvanometer (circa 1910?) made by the India Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Co at Telegraph Works Silvertown, London
C1748
An Abney Level with Protractor and Spirit Level used in surveying
C1749
An Aneroid Barometer with the dial marked 'Compensated' and is calibrated from 15 to 31 inches of HG and 0 to 20,000feet.The case was made by J.B.Brooks
C1750
Thomas Parnell (fl. 1784-1811) was a mathematical and nautical instrument maker in London. This is a Spring Balance in a case.
C1788
Desk clock and Pen stand
C1797
Barometer in Silver case with no markings. The Barometer has a hard leather case.
C1798
Gunnery instrument, for adjusting the angle of the barrel
C1799
A Barometer/Weather Finder
C1800
Sand Timer. No makers name can be seen. A 14 second ships log timer.
C1802
A Spring Scale calibrated in Lbs made by George Salter & Co
C1803
A set of Draughting Instruments in a case by Charles Baker of 544 High Holborn est 1765.
C1805
Possibly part of another instrument and has a small optics
C1806
A Button Hook and Leather stitch marking tool.
C1807
A Marching Compass Mk1 with a black bakelite case. T.G & Co Ltd
C1808
Probably an Award
