Aircraft Parts and Relics | vintageflyinghelmets

US Navy Slote and Klein AN6540 summer flying helmet in unissued condition, no receivers fitted.

Unissued condition later war USN / USMC summer flight helmet made uunder contract N288s. Size Medium which equates to Large in AAF equivalent (same size as the AN-H-16 above!). Impossible to upgrade!

SOLD

Scarce Great War Royal Flying Corps cowl type flying helmet.

Now harder than ever to find, these cowl type helmets were issued to all RFC pilots and aircrews, though they are said to have been favoured by gunners who had to stand up in their turrets and were exposed to cold air - however photgraphs show they were also worn extensively by pilots of both figher (scout ) aircarft and bombers. In overall great display condition, the leather is very good, although it could probably use some dressing. The chamois lining is also good and the War Dept issue stamp can be seen, though faintly, inside. The fur area has moulted, as is common, and the skin shows some minor insect damage, but this doesn't show when displayed. The helmet retains it's earflaps and original chin strap and nuckle. The padded cylinders were clearly removed at the time (as was common practice - they were found to be useless at deflecting sound and actually caused more noise from vibrating). The keather is evenly faded around their stitch holes showing this was definitely a period modification. A very scarce helmet in good to very good condiiton.

SOLD

RARE 1942 dated Luftwaffe rubberized linen night bombing target map of Aberdeen and Peterhead, Scotland.

Small scale map measures 53 cm x 43 cm (23" x 17") printed in colour on brght yellow rubberized linen. Single-sided in outstanding condition, very clean and no folds or pin holes as are usually found. These were carried in night bombing aircraft - the yellow background and bright features showing up well under red cockpit lighting. Being waterproof they could also be used for sailing / navigation in the event of ditching or baling out at sea. Maps shows depths of North Sea off the coast of Scotland as well as major targets on the northern Scottish coast. Aberdeen was bombed very badly in April 1943 by waves of Luftwaffe bombers coming from bases in Norway. These target maps are quite rare and highly sought after accessories and make attractive displays alongside Luftwaffe flying kit.

SOLD

RAF Sherry glasses from the officers' mess.

A matching set of four sherry glasses from an RAF officer's mess, dating from c.1930 to WWII. Excellent condition with no cracks or chips and etched RAF crest. Would prefer to sell as a set, since all are matched, but if no interest will split and sell individually.

All 4: $150 / £120 / €130

Each: $45 / £35 / €40

RAF egg cup from the officers' mess.

Eggs were a very rare commodity back in WWII and reserved only for those flying on ops. (everyone else had to make do with powdered eggs). Imagine arriving back at dawn after a long night raid and being able to enjoy a soft boiled egg - it was quite a luxury. This egg cup is exquisite: bone china made by Aynsley, with a blue glaze, gold leaf trim and RAF crest lithographed in blue. No cracks, chips or damage - perfect condition.

Vintage Flying Helmets

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Aircraft Parts and Relics

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RAF / RCAF Morse code aircraft identification transmitter switchbox No. 2 Mk III. 5C/372

Transmitter for aircraft identification, it sends out a steady signal or can be overridden to tap out a Morse code message. Perfect condition and appears to be fully-functioning, hinged on left to open and printed instructions are inside. A rare item that saved many lives!

$125 / £95 / €112 email to secure this item

Reflector Gunsight Glass from Spitfire flown by RAF Polish Ace Jan Falkowski with letters of provenance from Falkowski.

Fantastic piece of history! This is the glass oval from the reflector gusight in a Spitfire flown by RAF Polish Ace and Battle of Britain pilot Jan Falkowski, complete with provenance including personal letters from Falkowski concernng the glass and all original packing material. The glass had been broken and he wanted to replace it, so a well known historian arranged for a replacement piece in exchange for the original pieces. These pieces have been rassembled carefully (like a jigsaw puzzle) though one small piece is missing. Imagine what Falkowski saw through this glass! I have it displayed in a small shadow box (it looks great) but it will be removed and carefully packed for shipping. This lot includes multiple original signatures. I will also send buyer more photos i electronic form. Falkowski flew with 32 squadron in the Battle of Britain, then the famed 303 squadron among others, finally commanding the 3rd Polish Wiing. He received the DFC and top Polish awards and ended the war as a POW. He moved to Canada after the war and ran a flying school.

$500 / £385 / €450 email to secure this item

Pacific war aircraft relic 3. Piece of shrapnel from a bombing raid by a Japanese "Betty" bomber.

From the same collection as the two relics listed above, and with a note signed by the same veteran, a small piece of shrapnel, 3" long, gathered after a bombing raid on American ships during the invasion of Okinawa. Though small this is dense and heavy so is probably a piece of the bomb casing designed to inflict maximum injury. An interesting relic well worth researching and displaying in a Pacific War collection.

£38 / $50 / €43 email to secure this item