This report presents a theoretical analysis is presented for the behavior of long, circular, cylindrical shells of sandwich construction under axial compressive loads. The analysis is designed to evaluate the effects of the relatively low shearing moduli of sandwich cores on buckling stresses. Families of curves are presented for use in designing shells of sandwich construction having isotopic facings and orthotropic or isotropic cores. The results of the theoretical analysis were compared with those obtained from tests on a series of curved panels. It was found that the theory applied reasonable well to curved plates of sizes sufficient to include at least one ideal buckles. Application of the theory thus is not limited to long, complete cylinders.