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Equipment  and Tools

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RAAF Navigational Computer Mk IIID in original box.

Rare Australian made and RAAF property marked ICAN Flight Computer, still packed in its original cardboard box. This is in superb condition, with a few minor surface marks but appears to have never been used. Elastic webbing leg straps still stretch perfectly, paper notepad is present and unused, and full length original pencil is in its place. Pencil is a 5B "Copperplate" made in Australia and 1940 dated. Box shows some wear but is still solid. Computer is as good as you will find and quite rare being Australian made.

 

$200 / £160 / €185

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RFC  map board modified for WWII navigation use.

 

1913 dated rolling map board, made by Houghton and used by Royal Flying Corps observers and also by Royal Artillery spotters, modified by attaching a Mk IIID navigational computer, complete with its notebook. Beautiful wooden scrolling map board, with working compass (minor split to wood around compass from drying out but board is still rock solid). Leather strap and buckle for attaching to the longer strap to wear around the thigh if needed. The ICAN MkIIID computer is hinged at the base, enabling it to lift up to install a map or chart to the rollers while still accessing the notepad inside. This modification was done a long time ago because the wood around the computer shows age darkening. Name "Stubbs" inked to board. A very clever use of an older item combined with what was, in 1943, state-of-the-art for navigators.

$170 / £135 / €160

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Rare Luftwaffe pilot's navigation map pouch dated 1939.

 

Very rare Luftwaffe pilot's navigation accessory: double-sided cellulose acetate pouch with leather trim, for inserting a folded map/chart or co-ordinates. Notes could then be written on the outside with a Chinagraph type pencil. Seems like a small thing, but I have only seen one or two in many years of collecting, because the acetate just doesn't survive. Acetate does have a couple of minor splits on one side and what looks like a possible cigarette burn, but is intact and in good condition.. the sewn leather "frame" is maker marked L.L.G. and daed 1939. Slipped into a pocket or clipped inside the cockpit for quick reference.

 

$175 / £140 / €165

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Scarce British blue enamel canteen with leather skeleton carrier and blackened webbing strap, marked for Military Intelligence and dated 1943.

 

Very scarce and unusual British canteen, with a blue enamel finish and complete with its "skeleton" type carrier in blackened leather, broad arrow marked with M.I. and a maker mark with the date of 1943. The canvas webbing strap has also been dyed black. Complete with a correct stopper.  Possibly MI9/SOE use, hence the blackening. Great piece in very good condition.

$100 / £80 / €92

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WWII Devonshire Regiment mess table spoon / serving spoon.

 

From a regiment with a long history (from 1685 until they merged with the Dorsets in 1958). Lovely large serving / table spoon marked Devon with the number 8108. Well marked on the back, including a broad arrow and WD. Spoon appears to be nickel silver so most likely from the other ranks mess. A scarce item.

$35 / £28 / €33

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Luftwaffe flight plotting chart/map of the Orkneys, Scotland.

 

Large paper map/chart of the Southern Orkney Islands in Scotland. As with most German maps, it was based on a British Ordnance Survey map (this one dated 1938), copied and over-printed with a German translation of the features and information. Excellent condition.

$85 / £70 / €80

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RARE Luftwaffe cased Gestirnspeilscheibe precision navigation compass.

Beautiful cased Gestirnspeilscheibe in superb, unissued condition. This large and highly sensitive device was used to measure the angle between the long axis of the airplane and that of a celestial object, such as a star or the moon, for pinpoint accuracy while taking part in nighttime bombing raids. it was stored in its fitted wooden case inside the fuselage of the aircraft and used during the early night bombing of Great Britain known as the Blitz. It is likely that only one of these instruments would be carried per squadron or raid, by the lead aircraft, acting as a kind of "pathfinder" for the rest to follow. Maker marked with the coded manufacturer gzy. An incredibly rare navigation tool.

$750 / £595 / €685

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RAF/RCAF 1937 pattern webbing set with belt, cross-straps, canteen, Webley holster and ammo pouch.

Very nice RAF 1937 pattern webbing set, with all components showing equal wear, with owner's service number on belt (prefix R indicating Canadian issue), cross-straps and canteen cover, holster dated 1943 and ammo pouch dated 1942. Canteen cover is dated 1942. Other markings are there but faded. All hardware is made of brass with a good patina. Canteen is wool covered and retains original cork. A very nice set which will display well on a RAF tunic or uniform.  RAF webbing is getting harder to find these days.

$250 / £205 / €230

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RAF 1937 pattern webbing belt in excellent condition.

Very nice RAF 1937 pattern webbing belt with all brass fittings, retaining much of its original blue grey blancoed finish. Large "N" to centre and maker markings visible but difficult to determine. Excellent example.

$70 / £57 / €65

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SAAF 106 Squadron Range Finder for bombing.

Range Finder, used by bombers for calculating distances on final approach to the target.  Excellent condition, This example marked to 106 Squadron, SAAF. Superb

precision instrument , well made from black lacquered aluminium in a fitted wood and leather case, marked with the SAAF broad arrow "U".  Included is the usually missing key for tightening the settings n the device, in a leather pouch attached to the case. 106 squadron flew Hampdens, Manchesters and Lancasters and were one of the most active bomber squadrons throughout the war, flying the 4th highest number of Lancaster ops in Bomber Command, most of them over Germany. They flew diversionary bombing on D-Day, being ordered told NOT to drop any bombs while over the Channel. The Master Bomber also flew with 617 on the Dambuster raids.

$265 / £215 / €245 

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RAF Navigation chart (Air) for Touluse, 1942.

Drawn up in 1941 with additions and corrections November 1942, this paper air chart would be used by RAF navigators plotting bomb routes to Toulouse in the South of France. Very good condition with some creasing and soiling around the edges from storage. Charts depicting targets in Europe are quite scarce.

$75 / £62 / €70 

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RAF chart/map for Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia and Adriatic including town of Makarska.

War Office Sheet 110 paper map dated 1943, showing the Dalmatian coast around Makarska including the islands of Brac and Hvar and the Biokovo mountains. This was a key area for the Yugoslavian Partisans and their supply lines with weapons, food and other needs air dropped by the RAF. 

$85 / £70 / €80  

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RAF Airman's Kit Bag showing multiple owners and dated 1940.

Exactly what an airman, including fighter pilots, carried all their kit in when they were posted from base to base. Large, heavy white canvas kit bag with grommets for securing with a rope at the top (rope not present). The circular flap tucked inside to keep everything dry and stop it falling out. Beautifully marked with Air Ministry stamp and crown plus dated 1940. Has several names hand inked and then crossed out, sadly suggesting something happened to previous owners and bag was reissued, since these traveled with an airman wherever he went. A couple of worn areas on one edge but otherwise still very strong. A great piece of history and a wonderful item for displaying with uniforms, flying kit etc. especially relating to the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. 

$70 / £65 / €73  email to secure this item

Luftwaffe AK39 Armkompass.

 

Worn by all fighter and bomber pilots and perhaps by other aircraft crew members as well, the armkompass had multiple uses - as a back up while flying and for navigating on the ground in the event of ditching or being shot down. It was usually worn around the wrist, over the flight suit, but fighter pilots often attached it to their life vests. Since much of mainland Europe was occupied by the Germans, they had little need of escape items and were more concerned with survival until rescued - hence a large and functioning compass for aircrews. This example is in good condition; there is a thin crack in the clear plastic casing (doesn't show up much) and it has lost all of its internal fluid, but it still works well. No other damage and leather strap is excellent. Another item which used to be common, but not so much any more.

$100 / £90 / €102

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Fantastic WD issue drawing instrument set by Thorntons, dated 1938.

Absolutely stunning drawing instrument set, as would be used by a navigator for plotting his route, or perhaps by the Intelligence Section for planning a raid. Similar sets were also issued to Engineers and Artillery company technicians. Manufactured by Thorntons, renowned for their precision drawing tools, the instruments are superb high quality and include compasses, dividers, mapping pens, etc, with optional heads and blades and a small tube with extra points and leads. many instruments are marked wth the road arrow, as is the case, which is made from high quality leather and lined with soft chamois. Typical pre-war quality and appears to be complete. An absolutely lovely set of drawing instruments.

$125 / £105 / €122

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Glass lenses and paper separators for the Mk V 5" heliograph, in original tin.

One of the more unusual items, and though not strictly speaking flying kit, it was used by ground forces to signal to aircraft and to advanced landing fields. The Mk V Heliograph had amazing longevity; it was used during the Boer War and WWI and was still an invaluable asset in WWII. The thick glass mirrors are brad arrow marked and dated 1944. In favourable conditions, the signal could be seen up to 70 miles away! A rare and interesting item in perfect condition.

$75 / £65 / €74

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Anti-Dim cloth for gas mask, goggles etc.

Still contained in its light grey tin container with a threaded lid, the anti-dim cloth was impregnated with a compound supposed to prevent lenses from fogging up while in use. A nice accessory for the gas mask (remember ALL service personnel as well as civilians were required to carry a gas mask, in particular at the beginning of the war). 

$25 / £20 / €24

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"Fogpruf" Paste and cloth for mask lenses.

Medium grey tin container with a friction sealed lid containing a cleaning cloth and "Fogpruf" paste for cleaning the lenses of gas masks and prevent fogging. Instead of the cloth being impregnated with the anti-fog compound, it was contained in a small tube rolled up inside the cloth.  A nice accessory for the gas mask (remember ALL service personnel as well as civilians were required to carry a gas mask, in particular at the beginning of the war).  Manufactured by MSA (Mine Safety Appliance Co. of Pittsburgh, PA).

$25 / £20 / €24

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Wartime RAF map/chart London and South East England.

Lovely map/chart of London and South East England dated 1941, with a notation in red that the Air information is correct as of November 1939. Ordinance Survey map as used by all the services, though this is marked as for sale (though maps were not offered for sale during the war, except to military personnel). Linen backed and well used with a few worn spots but nothing missing. An excellent display accessory for a RAF pilot or Home Guard. 

$55 / £45 / €53

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Reproduction WWI leather carrier for the Brodie steel helmet.

Excellent reproduction of a very difficult piece of kit to source, perfect for a display or re-enactor. High quality leather helmet holder with straps and brass fittings. Originals are scarce and fragile. 

$70 / £55 / €65

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US Air Force nylon flying helmet bag.

 

Hard to find and always in demand for their utility, as well as their intended function! USAF helmet bag, introduced in the 1960s and issued during the Vietnam War and for many years afterwards, made from "rip-stop" nylon and well padded between the outer layer and the lining. Perfect working zip, clip-hook for hanging up and two large cargo pockets which fasten with snaps and velcro on the side. Excellent, almost unused condition.

$50 / £40 / €45

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RARE British paratrooper gas mask container jungle green 1944.

 

Scarce item of equipment carried by British paratroopers, tis 1944 dated gas mask container is made from heavy waterpoofed cotton, dyed jungle green, and has numerous pockets for the mask accessories. 1944 dated shoulder strap.

$55 / £43 / €50

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US Army pack dated 1942.

 

Standard early war pack carried by all U.S. Army personnel. Shows some wear but no damage, only slight fading and discolouration from age. Well marked and has a faint name inked on the front.

$45 / £35 / €42

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RAF webbing belt and braces with canteen and carrier, 1937 pattern.

 

Good set of RAF 1937 pattern webbing, comprising the belt, dated 1943 (partially obscured by the airman's service number), shoulder straps (braces) with extenders and a canteen in its correct 1942 dated matching carrier. Canteen is in excellent condition, with its felt covering undamaged and includes its original attached cork stopper. A very nice set in very good condition.

$250 / £185 / €220

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RAF aircrew / Observer's binoculars.

A good pair of RAF issue binoculars as used by air observers in all aircraft types. Retain about 80% of blackened finish to brass; good optics and crisp Air Ministry mark plus stores ref. no. Lacking strap but these were often removed because they would flap in the wind and could get snagged on the interior of the aircraft.

$95 / £70 / €85

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RAF aircrew headlamp for aircraft inspection and repairs.

For use by aircrew while in flight, though probably also utilized by ground crew, this small torch with a diffuser lens was worn around the head by means of the elastic headband,  connected to a battery pack which clipped to the flying suit or could be hung up nearby. In excellent condition - though I have not been able to install a battery for testing. The battery housing is maker marked "Oldham" along with the A-crown-M and a stores ref. number. The headband is also stamped with A-crown-M and ref. number. Another scarce accessory, great for a flight engineer or other crew position display.

$125 / £95 / €110

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Wartime British Army webbing pack, large size, in excellent, unissued condition.

Superb large khaki webbing back pack, with matching straps. At first glance, it looks like pack is dated 1948, but close insection shows that the ink has bled and that it is actually 1943 with the maker Bagcraft Ltd and a broad arrow stamp. Both straps are maker marked MEC Ltd and dated 1944, so it is a good wartime example in impeccable condition.

$55 / £40 / €50

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RAF other ranks kit bag / duffel dated 1942.

Great display item!  Other airman's kit bag, made from sturdy white canvas with 2 blue stripes painted around it, together with his name and service number. Good clear broad arrow mark and date of 1942 stamped inside. One brass grommet is missing, but there's no damage to the bag and it doesn't detract.

$55 / £40 / €48

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Extremely rare Luftwaffe bombing approach target chart for Plymouth and Weymouth/Portland.

One of the hardest to find accessories for a Luftwaffe bomber crew display. This is a double-sided map/chart for the final bombing run into Plymouth on one side and nearby Portland/Weymouth on the reverse. Plymouth in particular was badly hit during the Blitz of 1941. Chart measures 25" x 26" (63cm x 67cm) and is printed in yellow, for night time use under special low level red lighting, on heavy oilcloth.  It features only minimal information, such as roads, railway lines and towns or villages for instant recognition in dark conditions, and specific military targets highlighted in yellow and outlined in red. Has been folded and there are a few small nicks, but it is complete and in very good condition. These large scale target charts are extremely rare and are not offered for sale very often. 

$550 / £400 / €475

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Extremely rare Luftwaffe  bombing approach target chart for Ipswich and Harwich.

One of the hardest to find accessories for a Luftwaffe bomber crew display. This is a double-sided map/chart for the final bombing run into Ipswich. It differs slightly from that above in that the reverse is a slightly smaller scale map showing a wider area including Harwich and the seaside resorts of Clacton and Frinton.  Chart measures 25" x 26" (63cm x 67cm) and is printed in yellow, for night time use under special low level red lighting, on heavy oilcloth.  It features only minimal information, such as roads, railway lines and towns or villages for instant recognition in dark conditions, and specific military targets highlighted in yellow and outlined in red. Has been folded  but it is complete and in very good condition. These large scale target charts are extremely rare and are not offered for sale very often. 

$550 / £400 / €475

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Lovely functional piece of trench-art. .50 cal machine gun round made into a cigarette lighter.

 

Well made period trench-art cigarette lighter using a .50 calibre machine gun round. Innards have been removed and replaced with a brass tube holding the wadding for fuel and tube for wick and flint. In great condition but needs a new flint to make it work. Cartridge case is 43 dated. 

$65 / £48 / €55

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AAF / USN aircraft ground handler's signal wand.

 

Based on a standard 1930s Ray-o-Vac chrome-plated torch/flashlight (patented in 1928) and modified by adding a special hood with a red celluloid or plexiglas cylinder which would glow for directing aircraft on the ground, and presumably on the decks of aircraft carriers, at night or in low visibility. Superb Art Deco bullet-shaped chrome flashlight. Still has its cardboard insert for the batteries. No batteries installed and lacks bulb. Some oxidation but overall very good condition. Since this is not marked with any military nomenclature, it is perhaps a civilian item, possibly used by the USN which procured mainly from commercial sources. Rare item! 

$125 / £90 / €105

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US Army Dust Respirator Type M-1.

 

US Army Dust Respirator Type M-1, dated 1944 and made by Ideal. Well marked and in very good, unused condition, except for some a few small moth holes to the felt covering (which could be filled easily). Rubber is excellent and strap still has elasticity. Very similar to the A-9 oxygen mask but used for dust protection and while spray-painting aircraft, vehicles etc.

$20 / £15 / €17

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RARE WWI RFC flight map/chart of North West Europe.

 

30" x 28" (76cm x 71cm) aerial chart of NW Europe, covering Holland, Belgium and Germany, from Eindhoven to Liege to Dusseldorf, Cologne and as far west as Bonn. This is sheet 2 of 4 sheets that covered all of Europe. War Office marked and dated 1914. Linen backed with minor wear and staining. Wonderful Great War accessory for an aviation display.

$120 / £100 / €112  email to secure this item

US Army Ordnance Dept Waltham wristwatch model OF476620.

 

Though not specific to aviation personnel, this watch is similar in many ways to the AAF issue watches and was occasionally issued as substitute standard. Quite a rare watch, it has 17 jewels and a waterproof case. Watch is currently not running but I have had it examined by a local watchmaker who says it could be made to work easily. It has a couple of small screws missing which hold the interior workings in place (a previous owner used a drop of glue instead and this has now separated). The springs, balance staff etc. appear to be all good. It needs thoroughly cleaning and the crews replacing - but the seller wants me to sell "as is." Crystal is slightly loose, dial has "burn" marks from the luminous paint. Hands are original. Original OD green cotton strap. Quite a scarce watch.

ON HOLD

AAF Pilot's Navigation Kit to pilot of 489 BG, 846 BS, 8th AF - complete.

 

The most complete example of one of these kits I have ever come across, named to Lt. W.S. Buckmaster, 489 BG, 846 BS. The leather case is in excellent condition, with just little wear at the edges and fully functioning zip fastener and contains the owner's photo ID card plus some printed name tapes; 11 wartime aeronautical charts of the US, mostly east coast plus Pheonix, Detroit, Milwaukee, etc.  Additional 5 charts of Asia and the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Philipines, etc plus military street maps of Tokyo and Manila. Owner was in Europe with 489BG and then later in the Pacific.  Includes several blank navigation plotting sheets and landing fields/bases en route. Also includes his "housewife" sewing kit. A full case in great condition which would be well worth further research.

$400 / £290 / €335  email to secure this item

RARE RAF / Fleet Air Arm glass mounted aircraft recognition slides of later wartime / early postwar aircraft 

The last of a large batch I bought of the many years ago. These are official Air Ministry / Admiralty Aircraft Recognition slides, 3" x 3" (75mm x 75mm) with the celluloid slide mounted between two sheets of glass. Many rare aircraft are featured - including the Saro A1 jet flying boat fighter, Sea Hornet, Sea Vampire, Sea Fury, Meteor, etc. (see pictures). All are in excellent condition; 2 have hairline cracks in one side of the glass but are securely held together by the taped edge. One has a series of spider cracks in one side but is again held securely by the tape. Will be well-padded for safe posting (they came to me from the UK).  16 slides in total.

$90 / £70 / €80  email to secure this item

Extremely rare and important flight chart / Ordnance Survey map dated 1912 and used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment Experimental Squadron in WWI.

 

1912 Ordnance Survey map of northern Hampshire, in southern England, showing Winchester and Alton. This neighborhood was the home of the very first military flying organization, The Royal Aircraft Factory (RAF), which was renamed Royal Aircraft Establishment in 1918 to avoid confusion with the newly named Royal Air Force (also RAF). The location of many well known early airfields can be seen and what is presumably a flight plan, following the railway lines to Andover, is marked in pencil.  Map is linen backed, in excellent condition, slightly grubby at the edges, and measures 31" x 21" (78 cm x 53 cm). There is clear ink stamp to the cover which reads: Royal Aircraft Establishment Experimental Squadron. 

 

Priced at £120 / $150  / €140  email for more details

Cased 1940s era Carl Zeiss 8 x 30 binoculars.

Carl Zeiss Deltrintem 8 x 30 binoculars with original fitted leather case. Though not military marked, these are WWII era binoculars and exactly the type that would be used by Luftwaffe and other branches of the military while observing enemy activity from the ground; perhaps by observers in aircraft - and almost certainly for hunting (as they were encouraged to do). The German firm of Zeiss offered the best optics available and these binoculars still function superbly. Show use, some paint chips etc. but glass and optics are still excellent. Fitted case is serial numbered inside S-2448. Case lacks strap and leather covering on springs of clasp is gone, otherwise excellent. Binoculars have their strap attached.

 

$100 / £78 / €90  email to secure this item

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