John Mann was a Senior Principal Research Scientist in the Aircraft Structures Division of the Aeronautical Research Laboratory. In 1989 he wrote the 50th anniversary publication of the ARL, entitled Aeronautical Research Laboratory 1939-1989, 50 Years of Research and Development for Australia's Defence. Published by ARL, 506 Lorimer St, Fishermans Bend, Vic, 3207, 1989.

Successor to the the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's Division of Aeronautics, the ARL conducted research in the field of aeronautics with specific responsibility for defence research. It was one of a group of laboratories under the Chief Scientist, Department of Supply. L.P. Coombes was first Chief Superintendent (to 1964), T.F.C. Lawrence the second (1965 - 1967).

In 1994 the ARL was amalgamated with the Materials Research Laboratory to form the Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory (AMRL), Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO).