Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
PRICE REDUCED !!!
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Scarce RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit.
A fantastic combat veteran, in remarkably good condition, though grubby from use. The 1940 Sidcot was not in production for very long; it replaced the 1930 Pattern, differing only in the fabric it was made from (heavy grey/green denim instead of oiled cotton) and was soon superseded by the 1941 Pattern – identical but with electrical connectors for heating the gloves and boots. This example has seen some use yet shows no damage other than one leg zip which has an improvised period repair of being sewn up with a leather thong. All other zips work perfectly and belt remains fastened at rear. Nice A-crown-M stamp and stores ref. label showing it to be a decent size 5, with an ink stamp indicating an issue date of Apr 29 1941. Suit is overall very grubby with (presumably) engine oil and grime. It might clean up, and the repaired zip could be replaced - but why? It's a beautiful suit that evokes honest wartime use.
NOW $400
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
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 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
Extremely RARE original WWII poster in the "Careless Talk..." series.
One of the most prevalent and successful propaganda campaigns of the war was the "Careless Talk Costs Lives" campaign launched by the British Government. It featured the work of several prominent artists and different designs were targeted at all branches of the service, as well as war workers and civilians. This one, titled "Keep Mum – She's Not So Dumb!" depicts a soldier of the British Army and will have been posted on Army bases and training facilities, urging soldiers not to inadvertently mention anything about their location, postings, training etc. to girlfriends, family members, even if they are well-trusted. Poster is original, measures 10" x 15" (25cm x 38cm) printed on war grade paper so quite fragile. It retains its full bright colour, but has been folded in half and has some edge nicks and tears, folds and creases with a couple of small pieces gone at the edge (see picture). A classic and very rare original which would look fantastic in a period frame as part of a display.
NOW $100
 RARE Careless Talk propaganda poster |  RARE Careless Talk propaganda poster |
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 RARE Careless Talk propaganda poster |
WWII issue Service Dress tunic to a Warrant Officer pilot.
WWII issue Service Dress tunic to a Warrant Officer pilot. Officer quality tailoring from fine barathea wool, yet this is an issue uniform rather than privately tailored. While officers were generally expected to provide their own uniforms from private tailors, other ranks and NCOs, being less well paid, were supplied from RAF stores. Since Warrant Officers were senior NCOs who wore officers' uniforms, they were provided with officer quality materials. These were not common and don't turn up on the collector market all that often. Though not named, this Warrant Officer's SD tunic is a beautiful example of an issue "officer grade" uniform, and includes a lovely well-padded pilot wing brevet.
NOW $175
 RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |  RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |
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 DSCN2068 |  IMG_7139 |
 RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |  RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |
Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment.
Standard issue for all Luftwaffe crews, both fighters and bombers, during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. The cotton shell is lined with satin and has formed, hard leather housings for telephone receivers, plus built-in throat microphones in an integral neck strap. Shows light use but no damage and is in overall very good condition. Shown with 10-67 oxygen mask for display only – mask is not included and no longer for sale. These helmets are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
NOW $465
 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
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 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass.
Escape & evasion compass disguised as two metal buttons as sewn to the suits, aircrew or war service dress (battledress) blouse or trousers. Made from magnetized steel and painted black, one has a sharp point (fulcrum) attached to the centre while the other has a small indent that sits on the point and two dots that point north. Some loss of paint and oxidation, but still functions. Very hard to find these days.
NOW $95
 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |  RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
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 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |  RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
Flying log book and flying clothing/kit lists to a US Marine Corps aviator.
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.
NOW $95
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
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 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 |
RAF Gyro Gunsight Camera Recorder Mk2.
Used on later Marks of Spitfire, as well as Mustangs, Hurricanes, Corsairs, Thunderbolts, Typhoons, Tempests, Mosquitoes and numerous other aircraft, both during and after the war. It also saw use in early jets such as the Meteor, Vampire, P-80, F-86 and F-100. the Mk 2 Gyro Gunsight was considered an improvement over the Reflector gunsight used in the Battle of Britain. This is the film recording unit which plugs in to the Gyro Gun Sight Mk 2 and still has a film cartridge installed (no guarantees if it has been used or if the images would be any good!). Nonetheless a great piece for display with a Gyro Gun Sight and in very good condition, well marked.
NOW $75
 RAF mock-up instrument panel with working lights. |  RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |
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 RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |  RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |