Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Awards / Log Books / Photo Albums
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Incredible log book + insignia + autobiography grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat.
One-of-a-kind fighter pilot's log book from a DFC winner who flew with No. 2 Squadron, South African Air Force. He flew numerous types, from Hurricane to Kittyhawk to Spitfire (and even a Heinkel 111). Log book documents his entire wartime service from October 1941 to December 1945 including 67 combat missions, one confirmed kill (Me 109F) and numerous air to air combats, "rhubarbs", dive-bombing and strafing missions. A full and fascinating log book with lots of descriptive details. The log book formed the basis of his autobiography, "From Wings to Jack Boots" published in 1995 - a copy of which is included with his personal translation of an old poem taped in the front. The lot also includes his SAAF pilot wings and medal ribbons, given to a friend and still in the envelope in which they were kept (marked "Chum's ribbons"). A fantastic piece of history and one of the most interesting fighter pilot's log books I have ever had.
​
$3,800 / £2,950 / €3.510
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
|---|---|
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
 Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |  Incredible log book grouping to a Spitfire pilot, DFC, SAAF - lots of combat |
8 original wartime photos of
B-29 nose art pin up girls.
8 original photos of pin-up girls painted on the nose (and in one case te engine nacelle) of B-29 bombers haded towards Japan. Photos are in good condition and good size, varying from 5" x 3.5" (14cm x 9cm) to 4.5" x 3" (11cm x 8cm) approx. I don't believe these have ever been published.
​
$50 / £40 / €45
 8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |  8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |
|---|---|
 8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |  8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |
 8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |  8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |
 8 original wartime photos of B-29 nose art pin up girls |
Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member.
Log books to US Marine Corps aircrew are scarce, which makes this paperwork grouping such an interesting find. Named to Lt (MC) V.H. Witten. It appears that Witten accrued many hours as a passenger in numerous aircraft types, including N2S1, N3N1, SNJ4, SNB-1, SNB-2, OS2U-3, PBY-5, PBM-3, R4D-5, SNB-26, PBJ-1, JM-1, SBD-5, SB2C, J2F and more. What makes this even more interesting - especially to collectors of flying kit - are the additional documents contained in an envelope in the back of the book. These are actually receipts for the personal flying clothing and equipment he was issued. These four sheets list, in great detail, his helmets, masks, goggles, jackets etc. Altogether, this is quite a rare and highly useful resource, comprising a scarce USMC flight log book and valuable information about flying clothing issued from 1943 to 1945. Lt. Witten is definitely worthy of research.
​
$130 / £100 / €120
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
|---|---|
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
WWI award for a wounded Canadian serviceman.
Badge awarded to a wounded serviceman discharged from duty in the Great War due to his wounds. 1.25" diameter and appears to be silver (though not marked). George V cipher. Marked on the back C39045 which is the man's service number (the C indicating Canadian). Could definitely be researched.
​
$50 / £40 / €46
 WWI award for a wounded Canadian serviceman |  WWI award for a wounded Canadian serviceman |
|---|
5x US medals in boxes (job lot).
5 original US medals in their boxes of issue. Medals comprise:
​
2x full-size National Defence Service dated 1968 - still wrapped in cellophane with ribbon and ribbon.
​
1x WWII Victory Medal dated 1946 with ribbon.
​
1x miniature Purple Heart. Undated
​
1x miniature Silver Star dated 1970
​
All for $50 / £40 / €46
 US medals in boxes |  US medals in boxes |
|---|
Superb photo, flying log and document grouping to a Great War RAF pilot with combat.
​
Rare and quite possibly unique grouping of photos, paperwork and flying log to RFC/RAF pilot Harold Wittup, who became one of the first pilots to use radio telephony and, as indicated on his Radio Telephony Certificate, was issued with the "special" flying helmet. (On;y example of one of these I have ever seen) He later flew as observer in France flying combat missions and kept his flying log on a sheet of note paper having either lost or forgotten his issued log book. 12 excellent well-annotated photographs include 4 large, important aerial photos of France taken by him. There is also his Flying Clothing Card and a superb certificate given for his war service by his employerthe Canadian Pacific Railway. A very high quality and important grouping with massive research potential. The log alone (even though not official) is of great historic interest.
​
$475 / £385 / €445
 Amazing RFC photo + document grouping |  DSCN9767 |
|---|---|
 IMG_0275 |  DSCN9785 |
 DSCN9787 |  IMG_0274 |
 DSCN9786 |  DSCN9784 |
 DSCN9781 |  DSCN9780 |
 DSCN9783 |  DSCN9777 |
 DSCN9778 |  DSCN9779 |
 DSCN9776 |  DSCN9772 |
 DSCN9775 |  DSCN9773 |
 DSCN9774 |  DSCN9769 |
 DSCN9770 |
1920 dated US Air Service pilot's log book.
​
US Army Air Service pilot's log book to Horace L. Powers, who arrived at March Field, California on January 6, 1920, began his flying training on 22 June and graduated as a pilot 30th September. Later entries in 1921 show him flying from Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas where it appears he trained as a bomber pilot. Rare to find early US log books and it would be interesting to research his flying career further. Nice hand drawn pilot wings to front cover.
​
$150 / £120 / €140
 US Air Service Pilot's Log Book |  US Air Service Pilot's Log Book |
|---|---|
 US Air Service Pilot's Log Book |  US Air Service Pilot's Log Book |
 DSCN9116 |  DSCN9117 |
 DSCN9115 |  DSCN9113 |
 DSCN9114 |  DSCN9121 |
 US Air Service Pilot's Log Book |
An assortment of five RAF sports medals 1930s.
Five RAF sports award medals from the 1920s and 1930s. Large gold medal (or coin?) for golf at Halton is marked A/A HALL and dated 1926 and 1929. Two silver medals (second place) for swimming (RAF Aircraft Depot, India) are also named to LAC Hall and dated 1934. Two First Place medals for Intersection Relay (also RAF Aircaft Depot, India) are both marked W.I.R.S. and dated 1933 and 1934. Well worth researching to find out more!
​
$45 / £35 / €94
 A assortment of RAF sports medals 1930s |  A assortment of RAF sports medals 1930s |
|---|
Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report showing a confirmed "kill" by a recognized ace with 8 total kills.
Extremely rare original Combat Report (Army Form 3348) from a 40 squadron SE5a pilot detailing the destruction of a Pfaltz scout aircraft over E. Billy, France on 27th May, 1918. Report is signed in ink by the pilot, Lt. I.F. Hind and by the Commanding Officer of 40 squadron, confirming the kill which was witnessed by several other pilots and Anti Aircraft observers. Great War aerial combat reports are scarce but examples with confirmed kills are rare—especially by an ace. The document has been laminated to protect its fragile nature but could probably be delaminated if desired (personally I would leave it as is). Ivan Frank Hind had 8 kills in total before being shot down and killed on August 12 by Ernst Udet. A fantastic find.
​
$395 / £300 / €355
 Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |  Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |
|---|---|
 Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |  Original WWI Royal Flying Corps "Combats in the Air" report. |
Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17.
​
Photo published on May 8, 1939, from a wargames exercise which took place in 1938 - hence aircraft is painted with circular ID marking on wings and fuselage. Photo is 8.5" c 6.5" (22cm x 16.5cm) and crisp, high quality image with official stamps and tags to rear.
​
$25 / £20 / €25
 Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17 |  Superb pre-war press photo of a Luftwaffe Dornier Do17 |
|---|
Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942.
​
RARE photo, publised in June 1942, showing 6 Luftwaffe paratroopers about to board a Ju52 aircraft. Photo measures 7" x 5.25" (18cm x 13cm) with official stamps and caption attached to rear. Though silhouetted against a dramatic sky, much detail can be seen. Fantastic photo.
​
$25 / £20 / €25
 Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942 |  Original photo of Luftwaffe paratroopers lining up to board aircraft, June 1942 |
|---|
Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work during the Battle of France, April 1940.
​
Amazing high-quality wartime photograph of a Luftwaffe radio operator at work. The detail in the image is superb. Photo measures 7.5" x 5" (19cm x 13cm) with caption and official press release stamps to rear. Dated 3rd April 1940.
​
$25 / £20 / €25
 Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work |  Large original photo of a Luftwaffe ground radio operator at work108 |
|---|
Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots, "Squadrons Up" by Noel Monks.
​
Squadrons Up was written early in the war and published at the beginning of what we now call the Battle of Britain. It features stories about the men who flew in the Battle of France and focuses on 73 squadron and its iconic New Zealander "Cobber" Kain, the first "Ace" in the RAF. This book was given as a Christmas gift by one of the WAAF nurses who was stationed at Kirton in Lindsey, and who knew these brave men. She attached three personal photographs of the personnel of 73 squadron, including "Doc" Outfin, Cobber Kain and several other notable RAF pilots. Kain was killed in June, 1940 so photos of him are quite scarce and this is a superb piece of history. Noel Monks was the Daily Mail War Correspondent who was "embedded" with the RAF in France and the book itself is highly regarded - but this unique personalized edition is a wonderful piece of history with its own intrinsic value. No dust jacket and has a scorch mark to front cover but otherwise nice tight binding and very good condition.
​
$150 / £130 / €150
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
|---|
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
 Remarkable personalized first edition of one of the classic books on early WWII RAF fighter pilots |
Large (11" x 14") black and white photographic print of a
P-38 pilot wearing RAF flying kit.
​
Perfect centre-piece for a display of RAF/AAF flying kit: this high quality photographic print of a wartime image measures 11" x 14" (28cm x 36cm) is is mounted on stiff board for museum display. Perhaps someone can identify the pilot? He's a P-38 pilot and he's wearing a RAF Type D helmet, early unwired pattern, fitted with HS-38 headset, Mk VII goggles (with the white painted nuts) and an A-14 oxygen mask. Great photo with crisp detail.
​
$50 / £40 / €48
 Large (11" x 14") photographic print of a P-38 pilot |
|---|
RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps kite balloon observer/parachutist.
​
Extremely rare Royal Flying Corps Kite Balloon observer's log kept by Ronald Warren Bool of 43 Kite Balloon Squadron who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal after the war. The log is his Field Service Message book and contains a record of his ascents and listings of photographs he has taken. This was a very high risk duty as the balloons were hydrogen filled, and vulnerable to attack by enemy flyers with incendiary bullets. For this reason, crews were permitted to wear parachutes - and Bool describes taking such evasive action with Lt. T. L. Coates. Included are some other paper documents: a permanent pass, menu/ program for Christmas dinner show 1918 and some clippings incudng a letter he write to the Bystander. Note photocopy of kite balloon pilot is not Bool but is included to show the harness.
​
$750 / £570 / €685
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
|---|---|
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
 RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |  RARE log book grouping to a Royal Flying Corps balloon observer/parachutist |
WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album.
The value and appreciation of this photo album - besides the potential for researching the owner - is undoubtedly the actual album itself. Measuring 14" x 11" (35cm x 28cm), it appears to be made from a very high grade, soft leather, backed with linen and whipped together with a leather thong. The cover is deeply incised, embossed and hand painted with scenes of Egypt and hieroglyphics. It contains 106 good quality photos, mostly local interest and family shots, but some good military pictures, including "Woodvale Typhoon Squadron" and Wilmslow 1940, plus Christmas cards and dinner menus etc. Well worth researching.
​
$75 / £60 / €70
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
|---|---|
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |  WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
 WWII RAF Typhoon squadron related leather photo album |
Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women.
​
Six wartime period black and white photos of Japanese women, some in traditional costume, very high quality - 5 are high quality studio portraits and the 6th appears to have been cut down from a larger photo. Smallest is 3" x 1" (7.5cm x 2.5cm) with most being 4" x 3" (10cm x 7.5cm). All in good condition.
​
$35 / £25 / €30
 Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women |  Set of 6 wartime Japanese photos of women |
|---|
4 x large RAF original wartime photos, very high quality.
​
Smallest (top left) is 5" x 3.5" (125mm x 90mm) and largest (bottom right) is 8.5" x 6.5" (220mm x 165mm)). All in very good condition, some with captions to back as shown, otherwise I have no further information. Worth close study for the uniforms and the fact that one depicts army officers wearing RAF wings alongside RAF officers; possibly an Army Cooperation squadron or glider regiment? The large group photo is captioned Eastbourne, 1942, with the officer's named. Excellent quality photos, worthy of research.
​
$70 / £50 / €60
 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
|---|---|
 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
 4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |  4 x large RAF wartime photos, very high quality |
3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one later postcard-size image signed by Walter Wolfrum.
​
Classic wartime "hero" postcards featuring Molders, Udet and Wick, all Knight's Cross winners. All in great condition, the Wick postcard is slightly stained and has writing on the back (but no stamp) and has also been removed from an album. The fourth is a more recent postcard showing a wartime photo of another German pilot Walter Wolfrum and is signed by him. I cannot tell if it is signed in sharpie or if it is a facsimile signature and part of the printing, so it is a priced as a facsimile. Price for all four together.
​
$65 / £48 / €58
 3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one postcard sized image signed by German pilot. |
|---|
 3 x Luftwaffe photo postcards from WWII + one postcard sized image signed by German pilot. |
Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo, 60 Squadron, dated July 1944.
Superb, crisp high quality and larger than normal reconnaissance photograph, dated July 23, 1944 and identified to 60 squadron, but the target is not identified. Measures 9.5" x 8" (24cm x 20cm) which is larger than most photos taken by bombers. Superb clarity of detail. Shows a river and to the lower left an airfield with numerous pock-marks / bomb craters.
$35 / £25 / €30
 Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |
|---|
Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo Roanne Station, France.
8.25" x 7" (21cm x 18cm) photo of the railway marshalling yard and mainline station or depot in Roane, France. Photo is printed on Air Ministry photographic paper and written on the back, in pencil, are "Roanne 36" and what looks like "P. Rec. 155" (perhaps 155 squadron). Comparison to a modern aerial photo confirms it to be Roanne, France.
$35 / £25 / €30
 Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |  Large RAF Bomber / Reconnaissance target photo |
|---|
Set of 2 superb RAF photo albums: training in USA then back to England with XV Squadron RAF.
​
Well annotated and dated throughout by a Flight Observer with XV Squadron on Stirlings. First album is US made with hand-painted scene on cover "Souvenbir of Miami." American football, RAF rugby, Miami, Baltimore, New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, the Canada and back to England with excellent aerial photos of Blackpool, Scotland and Northern Ireland On official AM paper). Second album is all RAF training and service flying Stirlings with great cockpit photos etc. 77 photos altogether, all high quality and larger size.
​
$275 / £225 / €255
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
|---|---|
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA811 |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |
 2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |  2 RAF photo albums: Stirling aircrew + training in USA |