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Manuals / Ephemera

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RCAF 436 squadron unit history and named silver tankard.

436 "Chinthe" Squadron, RCAF (named after the Buddhist Lion), flew Dakota transport aircraft in India and Burma from 1944 to 1945. This is their original unit history: 166 well-illustrated pages about the crews who flew the aircraft and the people of Burma they got to know. The half-pint tankard is silver plated on brass (EPNS) with a traditional glass bottom. It is engraved on one side "RCAF, India Burma 436 Chinthe Sqdrn" and on the other side "J.S. Loveridge" and "Jack". Jack Loveridge is listed among the squadron personnel in the back of the book. The tankard is heavily tarnished and much of the silver has worn off – clearly many a pint has passed through it! Lovely set and a rare unit history.

$200 / £160 / €185

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Set of 3 reproduction escape/evasion/survival posters for display in RAF and USAAF Operations and Crew Rooms.

Full size reproductions, printed in full colour on high quality, heavy photographic paper, of three posters which would have been placed  prominently on the walls of Operations and Crew Rooms:

1.  Have you these Escape Aids with you? Stresses the importance of carrying escape kits and purses. 11" x 17" (28cm x 43cm).

2. Evasion from Germany. Features flags to look for on ships in harbour which would provide safe transport. 8" x 10" (20cm x 25.5cm).

3. Warning about carelessness when evading or if captured. 8" x 10" (20cm x 25.5cm).

 

Look great as part of a RAF or USAAF crew or ops room display. Set of all three.

2 sets available.

$40 / £32 / €37

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RARE used copy of official RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Mosquito bomber.

If you love history and things that "talk", this is for you! Superb, well-used copy of RAF Pilots Notes for the Mosquito Mks VIII, IX and XVI which has been through the wars - literally. Dated Mach 1944, it has some dog-eared pages, rust stains and appears to have been folded, but for all that it is complete and perfectly readable/displayable with all its fold-outpages and all information clear and legible.  It is inked on the front "A.T.D.LL Gosport and Weston" (two leading RAF airfields). Perfect for a hangar/workshop display. If only it could talk!

$100 / £80 / €92

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RAF Aircraft Recognition Poster with silhouettes of Allied, German and Italian aircraft.

 

Very interesting two-sided poster with 65 silhouettes of allied, Geman and Italian aircraft featured. Measures 22" x 16.5" (43cm x 58cm) but has been folded up so it could be carried in a pocket. It shows all main types used in the early years of the war in Europe and carries the instruction "To be kept in your AB64" which is the RAF airman's service book. Obviously shows wear and a few tears at the creases from being folded but in very good shape and quite a scarce item.

$75 / £60 / €68

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RAF silhouette comparison poster Thunderbolt / Focke Wulf 190.

 

One of three similar posters offered. Scarce and unusual RAF silhouette comparison poster showing the difference, in outline, between  the RAF Republic Thunderbolt fighter and the Luftwaffe Focke Wulf 190. 13" x 8" (33cm x 20cm). Has been folded into quaretrs with some pinholes in the corners, but overall very good condition. This would have been pinned up in ops rooms and crew ready rooms so fighter pilots and air gunners could readily identify the types. Great accessory for a crew room display.

$45 / £35 / €40

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RAF copy of the engine notes for the Curtiss Kitty Hawk fighter / Allison engine.

 

The P-40 Kitty Hawk aircraft was used in a limited capacity by the RAF, primarily in the Western Desert, where it proved successful. Documentation for the RAF version of the aircraft is few and far between and this is a scarce and interesting booklet on the Allison  engine. Comprises photographic copies from the American manual printed on photographic paper, with the "official" RAF ink stamp to the reverse. 

Air Ministry marked and dated June 13, 1943. Excellent condition. 

$65 / £48 / €55

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Original wartime RAF Wellington Pilot's Notes in amazing condition.

One of the cleanest and best copies of original wartime Pilot's Notes I have seen. Complete January 1944 dated (second edition) of  Pilot's Notes for the Wellington bomber. Covers are clean, not faded (the blue ones are almost always faded!) no foxing on the pages - has obviously been well stored. Complete with its fold-out cockpit photos/diagrams. It is named inside so could be researched. Minor stain to edge of front cover but otherwise in excellent condit.

$120 / £95 / €110

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Early wartime RAF aircraft recognition poster for Vickers Wellington Mk II bomber.

Very early wartime recognition poster which clearly saw a fair amount of use in ops rooms and standby lounges or huts! 3-views with additional profiles highlighted in red to draw attention to key identifying features. Top edge shows some cracking and minor loss, poster is creased, has minor stains and a small piece missing on the left hand side. Typed label pasted over the top caption gives further details. All the information is intact and this actually displays well. What makes this poster even more interesting is it depicts the Wellington Mk II, which used Rolls Royce Merlin engines – quite a scarce variant which saw use mostly in North Africa. The more familiar Wellngtons used radial engines.

$85 / £70 / €80

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RAF Battle of Britain Commemorative dagger by Wilkinson Sword in fitted case.

 

The final entry for this week, a superb dagger made by Wilkinson Sword in 1970 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Silver plated with etched blade, wooden hilt and scabbard with silver plated chape, mounted in a sky blue felt-lined wooden case with a silver plated plaque and medallions of Churchill and the RAF crest. Excellent condition with minor wear to box and light age patina.  A collectible in its own right, being over 50 years old, as well as a superb reminder of "The Few".

$150 / £120 / €140

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Battle of Britain booklet, Canadian published version.

 

36-page booklet, 6.5" x 9.5" illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams of the various key raids and operations of the Battle of Britain. This was the "official report" intended to boost public morale and provide whatever details the government wanted the population to know. The first publication (in England) had no pictures or frills, just a straightforward report. This version follows the same format as the one released in The USA - but I have never seen the Canadian version before, which was published by th "Queen's Canadian Fund for Air Raid Victims." Great condition with light wear to cover but no damage.

 

$20 / £16 / €19

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RARE June 1940 Luftwaffe town map book of England - Battle of Britain / Invasion (Sea Lion).

 

Extremely rare German book of  town roadmaps in England and Wales, dated 30 June 1940 and intended for the planned invasion to enable Luftwaffe crews as well as paratroopers and ground forces to navigate their way around after landing. This book contains roadmaps of 117 towns and cities in, from Aldershot to York, excluding London (which had its own volume). Of particular importance are all the coastal towns, such as Brighton, Portsmouth, Dover etc. where landings would have been planned, and major cities like Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham. Many of the maps are fold out pages, including a large fold out of England and Wales showing all towns and cities marked. 8" x 6" with soft linen cover, all in very good condition.

$325 / £260 / €300

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"As Briefed..." official unit history of the 384th Bombardment Group, original and very limited edition, 1946.

 

One of the rarest and most desirable of the 8th Air Force unit histories. 208 pages including a superb 40-page photo section at the back. Very good condition with tight binding and no damage save for a little wear to the cover and bumping to the corners. the 384th BG was based at Grafton Underwood in Northamptonshire from May 1943 to June 1945 and flew 316 daylight combat missions in B-17s.

 

$300 / £240 / €275

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RAF Pocket Book (AP1081) - 1937.

 

Indispensable guide book to the RAF. This book was designed to answer any possible question the new recruit or cadet, or long serving member could think of, from everything to do with aircraft and aerodynamics to weather, to erecting a tent and digging a trench, burial, food, medical, legal — you name it, it's in here. Not a rare item but this particular example, dated 1939, is in excellent condition and includes the includes the addendum of Appendix V with up-to-date data charts on the newest aircraft.

$50 / £40 / €45

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Collection of technical manuals from a USAAF radio operator.

 

Excellent set of manuals for any AAF radio operator display, including the old manila envelope in which they were stored. All publications are dated WWII or earlier. Comprises 2 booklets: Radio Operating and Use of Numbers (includes how to to use a slide-rule); 2 copies of the Bendix RTA-1B radio manual (as fitted in many AAF aircraft). Also included is a Traffic Glossary (dated 1921) which is for railway transport services. Originally published in 1917, it came as part of this set so perhaps the radio operator was a railway engineer prior to the war? Don't want to break up the set anyway. Lots of interesting information and ideal to compliment a radio operator display.

$60 / £48 / €55

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8 x US Army Training manuals from the 1930s.

 

Not a complete set, but from an estate as issued to one man, an instructor of the 33rd Division in Chicago — so perhaps all the ones he needed to do his job. Eight US Army training manuals, with published dates ranging from 1930 to 1939. Lots of useful information and a great compliment to any US Army display.

$35 / £28 / €32

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AAF Aerial Photo Supplement, July 1944.

Rare and hard to find AAF Training Command publication featuring over 150 aerial photographs of various locations throughout the US and all over the world. Intended for pilots, navigators and bombardiers to familiarize themselves with different types of terrain, camouflage techniques etc. in preparation for combat operations. This is the second edition, printed July 1944, prepared by the training offers at Randolph Field, Texas. 8.5" x 11" soft cover, excellent condition.

$85 / £70 / €80

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AAF B-29 Superfortess Pilot's Training Manual.

The bomber that arguably had the last say in WWII, dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This original wartime edition was printed in February 1945. Cardboard covers and 3 screw/bolt binding so that pages could be added/deleted as necessary. This example is named to a Lieutenant Leverett G. Richards.  Everything you need to know to fly the B-29 Superfortress. 

$85 / £70 / €80

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South African newspaper December 1942, complete, mailed home to London.

Fascinating incidental display item—and great reading—with a wealth of history! A 4-page newspaper from the township of Queenstown, South Africa, dated December 19, 1942, sent home to his mother in London by an airman serving in the RAF. He has highlighted the story of four of his colleagues killed in a plane crash at the local RAF station. Other stories include news on the war from Burma, Cairo and other hotbeds of fighting.  As usual the adverts are also very interesting. As was the custom, the newspaper was folded up, addressed and stamped, then dropped in the mail. Incredible condition for all it's been through.

$50 / £40 / €48  

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RAF AP1234 Manual of Air Navigation Vol 1 dated 1935.

 

Every pilot as well as every navigator had to go through navigation training and will have studied this book. Being 1935 dated, this is the manual numerous battle fo Britain pilots will have had at their disposal. Added to which, this is stamped "Received Oct 14, 1937 20(B) Squadron, RCAF, Regina, Saskatchewan" where it was undoubtedly used by the Empire Training School. Complete and with various pasted in revisions and corrections. Minor surface tear and paint stain on cover otherwise in excellent condition. Not a common find.

$90 / £75 / €85

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RARE RAF Pilot's Notes for the De Havilland Hornet fighter.

The De Havilland Hornet was the direct descendant of the famed "Wooden wonder" Mosquito, and though it was designed in WWII and first flew in July 1944, it not enter service until 1946. It had a successful service life with the RAF and Fleet Air Arm (as the Sea Hornet). RAF Pilot's Notes are rare and highly sought after. This manual is early post-war,  dated December 1947 and includes the usual array of information and diagrams, including photos of the cockpit layout and controls. Overall very good condition with some wear to cover. A very rare AP notes/booklet.

$95 / £80 / €92

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Rare AP 1728D Vol 1. manual for the Hercules VI and XVI Aero-Engines.

 

Fantastic RAF manual for the Bristol Hercules engine, the radial engine which powered RAF Beaufighters, Wellngtons, Stirlings and  Halifax aircraft, as well as the Lancaster Mk II, among others. It continued in service well past the end of the war, but this is a rare April 1942 dated edition of the official AP notes. Bound by cord and in a hard cover, this manual features multiple fold-out pages with diagrams printed in colour in addition to the notes and numerous b/w photographs. A rare and early manual for one of the best known and most utilized radial aero-engines of the RAF.

$250 / £185 / €220

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RCAF Air Gunner's notebook/course notes from Armament School at Mont. View Ontario.

 

Personal course notes from the Armaments School, Mont. View, Ontario with incredible detail on every kind of weapon taught, from revolvers and rifles to Browning .303 and .5 inch aircraft guns, Hispano etc. Dates from mid-WWII (references on sketches to 1943). All handwritten but very neat and legible, approximately .75 inch thick with copious detailed hand drawn  coloured-pencil illustrations of components, cutaways, etc. One of a kind item absolutely full of useful information.

$85 / £65 / €75

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The Navy magazine annual review of Naval Aviation, 1954.

 

Superb publication dated September 1954, over 50 pages dedicated to Naval Aviation: the latest news, newest aircraft, great articles with many photos and of course wonderful ads of the time. There's even a Fleet Air Arm quiz! Photos show Navy pilots still wearing Type C helmets and Mk VIII goggles. Great condition. Lots of useful information. 

$25 / £20 / €22

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"Laughs with the Forces" - 1943 magazine featuring cartoons from Punch and Giles and others.

For many people growing up in England, it wasn't Christmas without the yearly book of cartoons by Giles, the famous cartoonist whose work appeared every day in the Daily Express. Giles was hard at work during the Second World War as well, and this lovely piece of nostalgia features his early work, along with cartoons from Punch, as well as numerous anecdotes and jokes about the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. 48-pages, 5.5" x 8.5" (14cm x 22cm).  Excellent condition, with one small tear at the spine. Brilliant British military humour.

$40 / £30 / €45

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3 x Japanese military collector magazines.

For years Japanese printing companies led the world with quality publications featuring vintage and modern military equipment, from hardware to uniforms and clothing. Among the best were COMBAT and Koku-Fan. Offered here are 3 magazines from 2005 ad 2007, packed with colour and b/w images (including one issue of Combat which featured some of my own Luftwaffe collection!). Now collectible in their own right. All three together.

$45 / £35 / €40

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Rare unit history of the 14th Combat Bombardment Wing, US 8th Air Force.

Unit histories  don't come any rarer than this - the history of the entire Bombing Wing, comprising the 44th BG, 392nd BG and 491st BG, stationed at Shipdham, Wendling and North Pickenham. Great photos throughout of their B-24 aircraft, nose art, personnel, etc. In excellent condition, except someone has carefully cut out a small rectangle, about 1.5" x 0.5" from the frontisppiece. No idea why - it doesn't affect the text in anyway.

$155 / £115 / €135

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RAF Flight Sergeant's  

Kriegsgefangenpost 

POW letter home.

 

Letter written in pencil by a Flight Sergeant POW Robert Beard, to his parentss and sister in Wales. Letter is dated February 27, 1944 but didn't evidently arrive until May 5th. He talks about POW camp life, receiving parcels and helping out other prisoners. Beard flew with 61 squadron RAF (Lancasters) and was shot down in 29 July, 1942, so he was a POW for a long time. He says he feels better off now than when when he first arrived, but still says he will want some good meals when he gets home! Interesting slice of POW camp life. Very readable and very good condition.

$75 / £55 / €65

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Wehrmacht song book.

 

In complete contrast to the lighthearted songs featured in the US Army song book (above), this German version is all about singing for the Fatherland! Also published in 1941, it is in very good condition, 4.5" x 6" (110mm x 158mm) with 80-pages of patriotic songs, printed in typical Gothic script, with both words and music. As with the US Army booklet, a great item to display as an accessory.
 

$45 / £33 / €38

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WWII Hallmark greeting card to new service member.

 

Wonderful early Hallmark greeting card wishing a new recruit good luck in the US Army. Printed on low quality but very heavy, fibrous recycled paper in brown, black, red and blue ink, and comb bound, this 16-page booklet measures 5" x 6" (12.5cm x 15cm). Signed on the back otherwise in excellent condition. I wonder how many of these could have survived! 
 

$35 / £25 / €30

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LIFE magazine, dated March 1942 with Flying Tigers article.

 

Superb wartime copy of the popular American magazine in excellent condition, no tears or damage, only slight creasing and bent corners. 134-pages, large format (26cm x 35cm) with typically great photographs throughout including a fabulous feature article on the Flying Tigers / AVG in Burma with many photographs of pilots, all ID'd. There is a another great article on submarine training. Shirley Temple on the front cover. Great old advertisements throughout - colour and black and white. Magazines add a great finishing touch to any display.

$35 / £26 / €30

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RAF copy of the engine notes for the Curtiss Kitty Hawk fighter / Allison engine.

 

The P-40 Kitty Hawk aircraft was used in a limited capacity by the RAF, primarily in the Western Desert, where it proved successful. Documentation for the RAF version of the aircraft is few and far between and this is a scarce and interesting booklet on the Allison  engine. Essentially photographically copies from the American manual and printed on photographic paper, with the "official" RAF ink stamp to the reverse. Excellent condition.  

$65 / £48 / €55

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AAF original edition 48th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force Unit History.

 

Superb original edition of the 48th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force Unit History.  The group comprised the 836th, 837th and 838th Bomb Squadrons and was based at  Lavenham, Suffolk. They flew B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers and aircraft carried the code letter "P" on their tails. Book is in very good condition, clean, with good binding, very slight wear to spine but overall a very good collectible copy of this rare unit history.

$185 / £135 / €158

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WWII commemorative matchbooks - unused condition.

 

These are the large format match books: 3" x 2.25" and all completely full of matches as originally produced. Slight wear externally, but superb condition.

Waco Army Air Feld, TX

Hammer Field, Fresno, CA

Wendover Field, UT

Kelly Field, TX

Price each: $20 / £15 / €18

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WWII commemorative matchbooks - no matches.

 

These are the large format match books: 3" x 2.25" as above, but all matches removed or used. Slight wear externally, but overall very good condition.

San Marcos Army Air Feld, TX

Hammer Field, Fresno, CA

23rd AAF Glider Training, 

Hamilton, TX

SeaBees

Price each: $15 / £11 / €13

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WWII US military small matchbooks.

 

These are the smaller format match books: 2" x 1.5" in near perfect condition with all matches still present.

USNAS Eagle Mountain, TX

US Army

USAAF

Price each: $20 / £15 / €18

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Wartime RAF / RCAF manual for the Tiger Moth Gipsy Major engine

 

The companion volume to the Tiger Moth instruction manual.  This is the manual for the Gipsy Major engine which powered the De Havilland DH 82C Tiger Moth training aircraft. Same size but with a red semi-rigid leatherette cover, it is filled with fold-out diagrams showing the engine's systems.  Scarce manual. 

$80 / £58 / €65

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RAF Aircrew Training Manual.

 

Large, hard bound volume comprising several sets of APs for training all RAF aircrew cadets in all crew positions, including Pilot, Navigator and Air Gunner, with course notes on Principles of Flight, Air Navigation, Meteorology, Weaponry (including the Browning .303 machine gun and small arms) amongst others - as well as a section on Maths. Various dates (all wartime). This heavy volume measures 9.5" x 12" and almost an inch thick! An important manual which would have been issued to all RAF aircrew in training.

$125 / £90 / €105

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WWII RAF Flight Engineer's training manual on carburettors.

 

Foolscap size sheaf of papers, about 1/3 of an inch thick, on aircraft carburettors pertaining to the duties of a RAF Flight Engineer and or mechanic. Everything you ever wanted to know about carburettors. named on front sheet to "Whitehead". 

$30 / £20 / €25

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WWII RAF Standard Notes from RAF School of Firefighting.

 

Small book of standard course notes fro the RAF School of Fire-Fighting, measuring 6.75" x 8" (17cm x 20cm) and about half an inch thick (over 200 pages).  Bound with string and marked "Restricted" and "Must Not Be Reproduced".  Includes list of all fire-fighting equipment on hand for the RAF.  Considering how much pilots and aircrews depended on Fire-fighters for their survival after returning from operations, this is a great piece to have in any RAF collection. Well used, the cover quite dog-eared but completed and with no damage.

$55 / £40 / €45

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1930s / WWII Union Flag printed on cotton.

 

The distinctive "square" pattern dates this is as a very early vintage flag (note squared off ends on the diagonal red cross). Excellent condition with no damage, it was made as a flat hanging flag and then hand sewn along one edge to be flown from a flagpole. 34"  x  46" (66cm x 116cm). Probably more patriotic than military, but a very nice example with lovely age toning to the cotton, but no fading to the colours.

$175 / £128 / €150    

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Battle of Britain 30th Anniversary First day Cover.

 

Officially flown in a Hawker Hurricane and duly noted, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Battle, the stamp features Alcock and Brown (first to fly the Atlantic). Excellent condition. A nice collectible.

$25 / £19 / €21 

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Original instruction sheet for AAF HS-33 / HS-38 radio headset.

4-page, single sheet instructions for correct installation of the headset (whether in a helmet or worn as a headband) in the aircraft. Some slight staining and unfortunately a little insect damage, but it is still readable and useful information.

$15 / £12 / €13

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Original instruction sheet for installation of USN H-87/U helmet radio headset.

Single sheet, one-sided instruction sheet for replacing the old style (ANB-H-1) receivers in the green nylon flying helmet used by US Navy pilots in the Korean War era / 1950s. Excellent condition.

$20 / £15 / €17  email to secure this item

RAF Pilot's Notes for Spitfire Mk IIA and IIB (reprint)

Facsimile / reprint of The official Pilots Notes for the Spitfire IIA and IIB - which saw combat action during the Battle of Britain. Loose bound sheets as per the original, secured with a cord and plastic ends 9original would have had metal). An exact copy, great for the information it contains. Every Spitfire pilot would have been given one of these while he was learning to fly the type.

 

$20 / £16 / €18   email to secure this item

RAF Pilot's Notes for Hurricane IIA, IIB, IIC, IID and IV (reprint)

Facsimile / reprint of The official Pilots Notes for the Hawker Hurricane IIA, B, C, D and IV. The early versions saw combat action during the Battle of Britain. Loose bound sheets as per the original, secured with a cord and plastic ends 9original would have had metal). An exact copy, great for the information it contains. Every Hurricane pilot would have been given one of these while he was learning to fly the type.

 

$20/ £16 / €18   email to secure this item

RAF Pilot's Notes for Spitfire Mk 18 (early reprint)

An old facsimile / reprint of The official Pilots Notes for the Spitfire 18 - one of the more obscure and lesser known marks of this remarkable fighter aircraft. This most likely dates to the 1960s because it is printed on coated paper as originals were, and the blue card cover is well faded. The information on this rare type is valuable in of itself. Slight surface tear to front cover, nothing serious. 

 

$25 / £20 / €23   email to secure this item

Corgi Gloster Meteor + V-1 Doodelbug.

 

Corgi Classic aircraft series, a limited edition release: Pristine condition Corgi 72-scale Gloster Meteor F3 jet fighter in wartime colours of  616 Squadron, together with the Fiesler  F103 "Doodlebug" flying bomb. Die Cast metal with wonderful detail. Mounted on original stands but please note there is NO BOX. Excellent condition and perfect for display.

 

$45 / £33 / €38   email to secure this item

2 x RAF wartime medical journals. 

Dated Aug-Sept 1943 and Aug-Sept 1945, these two magazines contain fascinating articles and photographs of the latest studies and developments in plastic surgery for burned aircrews, 

prosthetic eyes, effects of anaesthesia, oxygen use, jungle diseases and much more. The science behind the miracle workers who put airmen back together. 22-pages and 26-pages plus cover respectively. Used with a few nicks but complete and very readable. Rarely seen publications.

Price is for both.

$35 / £27 / €32  

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Practical Flying:  Complete Course of Flying Instructions by Flight Commander W.G. McMinnies, Royal Navy.

First US edition, published by George H. Doran Company in New York, 1918 - incredible book on essentially "teaching yourself to fly" based on the experiences of The RFC and RNAS in the Great War. Copiously illustrated throughout including a long panoramic pull out chart.  The original flying manual with a lot of useful and historic information. Rare edition in very good condition, solid binding 248-pages.

$65 / £50 / €58  email to secure this item

Aeroplanes and Aero Engines by "Avion." 

The perfect companion to the above book on Practical Flying Instruction. Aeroplanes and Aero Engines: An introduction to the study of flight in simple language for the man in the street by "Avion" published by C. Arthr Pearson Ltd, London, 1918. First edition, second impression, October 1918. 158-pages illustrated throughout. A wonderful book for its time, when so little was known or understood about flying. Very good condition, some foxing, discolouration, but solid binding. Very readable.

$20 / £15 / €18  email to secure this item

Rare 1942 RAF dropped propaganda leaflet "Le Courier de L'Air" no. 2 

 

Though The RAF dropped these by the thousand in the early days of the war, very few propaganda leaflets survive, and this original from 1942 is absolutely superb. A 4-page bulletin dropped on France tells the French people that  General Wavell is in charge and that the American army will soon be arriving in Europe! The back cover is devoted to assurance that the Russian winter will take care of the German army! It also publishes the frequencies at which French patriots can tune in and listen to BBC broadcasts on the radio! Excellent condition, no damage and minor soiling to front. At great risk, the RAF often flew missions where they dropped leaflets instead of bombs, or else dropped them on civilian targets on their way to or from a bombing mission. A rare piece of history.

$80 / £60 / €68   

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1936 dated Chinese 100 yuan banknote, signed by an Allied Officer. A very short "short Snorter" 

 

Extremely short "short snorter" comprising just one banknote, signed and gifted by an Allied officer who evidently served in China during WWII. Hard to read the message but it appears to be signed and dated 1942. It would be worth studying the signature and researching it further. Chinese banknotes of this era are quite scarce. 

$55 / £45 / €50   email to secure this item

Japan "occupation" money (banknotes).

Nine banknotes altogether: 2 x 100, 1 x 50, 2 x 5,  and 4 x 10. Issued by the Japanese Government and marked "Issued pursuant to military proclamation." Unusual souvenir and great for display as part of a Hiroshima or Nagasaki post-atomic collection.

Price for all pieces.

$55 / £45 / €50   email to secure this item

Three issues of the most interesting WWII AAF publication you've probably NEVER seen! 

IMPACT was published monthly by the Assistant Chief of Air Staff in Washington, DC for distribution to AAF Squadron intelligence officers to share as they saw fit. The majority of photographs and information contained were confidential and restricted. Though presented in magazine format, similar to LIFE, the articles are fascinating to read, and the photographs are stunning. Each is 8.5" x 11" in size and page count varies from 50 to 72, including some fold outs to show panoramic target photos. Contents include mostly photos of combat, target photos, photo recon photos of damage and aftermath images from bot the ETO, CBI and Pacific. Articles on specific aircraft and one fantastic section on the prototype P-80 jet. Show some wear, and holes have been punched for storing in a  binder. Extremely rare!

Price for all 3.

$120 / £93 /€108  email to secure this item

Battle of Britain. First edition of the official booklet published by H.M. Stationery Office shortly after the Battle was over.

This booklet was published many times throughout, and after, the war - but in its very first version it was rather dry and austere, lacking any of the illustrations or diagrams found later editions. 32-pages sharing a modest yet vivid account of the Battle of Britain with the British people for the first time. Itself a piece of history. I own several editions but this first edition is perhaps the most significant, published in April 1941, at a time when things were not looking too good for the British people and they needed to be reminded of the glorious victory that had taken pace just a few months earlier. Excellent condition.

$20 / £15 / €18  email to secure this item

US Army / Navy V-Mail letter, blank, unused.

Blank, unused V-Mail letter. Great  item for any AAF display. Slightly creased but no tears and complete with all instructions (instructions take up half the space!).

£15  / $20 / €18  email to secure this item

US Navy Aviation Circular Letter 35-43 regarding ferrying of naval aircraft.

 

18-page letter containing full and detailed instructions for the ferrying of naval aircraft. A very interesting document, which includes a one-page amendment letter attached at the back. Of added interest is the fact that both the letter and the amendment are signed by Admiral J.S. McCain, Deputy Chief of Air Operations and of course the father of the later Senator John McCain.

£40  / $50  / €45  email to secure this item

Luftwaffe Messerschmidt Bf 109 G-8 aircraft handbook.

The companion to the above: a very old reprint of the original "Pilot's Notes" for the Me Bf 109 G-8 which was fitted with a 20mm canon firing though the nose cone of the propellor. A separate insert sheet includes a diagram of the gun, the MG151/20B. Though just 12 pages (plus the 2-sided insert) it has comprehensive information on the aircraft. First issued in November1943 and reprinted June 1944, though I believe this reprint was probably made in the 1960s.

 

£15 / $20 / €18  email for more details

RARE and important official report of the Committee of Alleged German Outrages, 1915.

Published in 1915 (the war had only been going for a year) this 60-page booklet documents a series of atrocities committed by German troops against civilians as well as enemy soldiers, town by town. This is a series of first-hand eyewitness accounts of what amounts to serious accusations of war crimes and, though written in a most dignified manner (as the British do best) it doesn't pull any punches. Of note is the fact that the committee was appointed on 15th December 1914, less than four months after the war began, suggesting that the British Government was aware of these outrages very early on. A very good read and well worth a place on the shelf of anyone interested in the early history of the Great War.

$80 / £58 / €68  email for more details

South African Air Force magazine from Queenstown SA, "The Signal" x 3 issues.

 

Interesting and well produced magazine from Queenstown SAAF base. 3 copies dated December 1942, February and August 1943 with station news, sports, humour, photographs, cartoons and a lot of great sarcasm! Also wonderful period advertising. First two are 48-pages plus cover, last one is 40 pages. Very good condition, some slight wear to covers. Great read for insight into SAAF life at the time.

£35 / $45 / €40 for all 3  

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Daily Express War Map showing all fronts.

Printed and published 1942.

 

An interesting very large format full colour map showing the state of affairs in WWII in 1942. Presented with the Daily Express (proclaiming itself to be "The World

s Greatest Newspaper"). Has been folded but retains nice bright colours and very good condition, with a few crosses and slightly grubby outside from storage but no damage.

 

£25 / $35 / €29  email for more details

1944 Directory of AAF Stations and Activities

 

Useful and extensive book which lists every AAF Station AND its activities as of April 1944 - tgis includes all bases in the US and overseas. Very valuable research information. I believe this is a more recent reprint but there is nothing that says so.  However it is priced accordingly.

 

£28 / $35  / €30  email for more details

Official Air Ministry manual / dossier for Avro Lancaster B Mk III ME545 and the Round the World Flight of 1946.

 

The official, original Air Ministry manual prepared for and used on a historic round the world flight, departing from RAF Watton on October 21st, 1946  and returning on December 17th. Her mission, as an equipment test bed with the Radio Warfare Establishment & Central Signal Establishment at RAF Upwood and RAF Watton was to service test radio communications, navigation, radar and radio direction finding equipment, British and American, in place at RAF stations throughout the world. This dossier includes lists of all equipment being tested (much of which was secret and classified at the time), route maps of the flight, technical data on ground receiving stations and RAF stations en route, frequencies used, reports and detailed results. The minutes of all meetings, both prior to, during and after the flight are included. Historical notes include problems to be anticipated en route in certain areas (India, Suez etc), which were still under British rule at the time. A fascinating and historic document containing information that contributed greatly to the future defence of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

Approx. 100 pages including fold-out maps, checklists etc.

Prior to the Round the World flight, ME545 served operationally in WWII with 186 Sqn, 218 Sqn (code XH-L nose art “Lovely Lou”), 22 MU, 15 MU and 38 MU before being transferred to the Radio Warfare Establishment & Central Signal Establishment at RAF Upwood (as WB-E) and RAF Watton (as V7-E).

The aircraft was scrapped, 25 April 1950. Some copy photos are included.

 

$70 / £50 / €58  email for more details

Complete set of five WWII factory manuals PLUS General Service Notes for the Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer maritime bomber / reconnaissance aircraft (sometimes referred to as the US Navy version of the B-24)

 

Set of five official factory published hardback manuals for the often underrated Consolidated PB4Y-2 aircraft, together with the softcover General Service Notes.

 

Flight Manual. 92 Pages, dated 1945

Airplane General and Armament. 212 (Airplane gneral) + 42 (Armament) pages. dated 1944

Power Plant. 206 pages. dated 1944

Hydraulics. 198 pages. dated 1945

Electricity. 148 pages. dated 1944

General Service Notes. (softcover) 326 pages. dated 1945

 

Overall condiiton is very good, with a little wear and bumping to the outsides, the gold leaf titling has tarnished with age but the bindings are solid. Softcover shows some wear, rubbing to outside.

 

$285 / £205 / €240  email for more details

US army first issue Kevlar ballistic helmet instruction manual.

 

24-page instruction booklet as issued with the first pattern ballistic helmet - the one that replaced the M-1 in the 1980s. 

 

$15 / £12 / €13  email to secure this item

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