Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Home Front
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John Player cigarette card album with complete set of cards, "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force."
John Player cigarette card album with complete set of cards, "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force." Superb home front item in excellent condition. Minor creasing and small rust stains around staples. All cards neatly glued in and name of original owner neatly written inside cover. C.1939. The illustrations of aircraft are quite excellent.
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$35 / £25 / €30
 Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |  Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |
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 Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |  Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |
 Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |  Early WWII Players cigarettes card complete collection "Aircraft of the Royal Air Force" in album |
Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s.
Absolutely gorgeous silver plated coffee pot of the exact type that would have been in many officer's quarters and private homes in the late 1930s and during the war. It is marked 800 but that does not mean it is solid silver (I wish!) but is a design series by Wm Rogers dating to 1936. 9" (23cm) tall with claw foot stand. Very high quality production with a very heavy silver plate showing no signs of wear. Great age/patina and no dings or dents. Hard rubber insulating rings on handle are in perfect shape and not cracked or broken as is often the case. This would add greatly to any depiction of officer's quarters or display of wartime home front memorabilia.
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$80 / £60 / €70
 Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |  Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |
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 Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |  Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |
 Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |  Superb heavy silver plated coffee pot by Wm Rogers, 800-series, 1930s-1940s |
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.
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$55 / £45 / €48
 AAF .50 calibre machine gun round trench art cigarette lighter |  AAF .50 calibre machine gun round trench art cigarette lighter |
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 AAF .50 calibre machine gun round trench art cigarette lighter |  AAF .50 calibre machine gun round trench art cigarette lighter |
Wives and sweetheart's gift: Lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings.
One of many trinkets which were given as gifts to wives, girlfriends and mothers by RAF pilots serving away from home (similar gifts were also often made by the wives and girlfriends for the pilots - though this being a lady's hankie was most probably the former). High quality white cotton handkerchief embroidered with pilot's wings in gold silk thread, with blue and red highlights. Looks unused, with minor storage marks. Measures 10.5" square.
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$35 / £25 / €30
 RAF sweetheart or mother's gift, lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings. |  RAF sweetheart or mother's gift, lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings. |
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 RAF sweetheart or mother's gift, lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings. |  RAF sweetheart or mother's gift, lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings. |
 RAF sweetheart or mother's gift, lady's handkerchief with hand embroidered RAF wings. |
US Army Vietnam War era matchbook from Commissary, unused.
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Unused matchbooks sold (or more likely gifted with the purchase of cigarettes) in the Commissary of US Army bases both at home and overseas. Not sure of the exact era but possibly Vietnam. Depicts a GI in his M1 helmet on the front and a stern warning on the back about selling items obtained from the Commissary. Marked on the edge "TADS, Huntington Sta, NY." These make a great display accessory. Price each.
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$10 / £8 / €9
 US Army Vietnam era matchbook, unused |  US Army Vietnam era matchbook, unused |
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 US Army Vietnam era matchbook, unused |  US Army Vietnam era matchbook, unused |
 US Army Vietnam era matchbook, unused |
Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946.
Exceptional bring back souvenir item from Occupied Japan. This is a well made, multi-piece aircraft toy, twin-engined with friction-driven main undercarriage and spinning tailwheel. Even the US star-and-bar markings on both wings are made from separate pieces of tin, fixed with small tabs. Underside of right wing is stamped "Made in Occupied Japan." Friction motor still works well and all wheels and propellors turn as they should. 5" wingspan and 3.5" fuselage.
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$120 / £90 / €108
 Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946 |  Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946 |
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 Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946 |  Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946 |
 Superb tinplate USAAF aircraft toy made in Occupied Japan, c.1945-1946 |
RAF Officers' mess silver plated sugar tongs.
Another outstanding accessory for any RAF station officers' mess display. These silver plated sugar tongs are in outstanding condition and feature the more unusual earlier design of the RAF pilot wing instead of the RAF crest. Superb condition. 4.5" in length.​
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$85 / £65 / €75
 RAF Officers' mess silver plated sugar tongs. |  RAF Officers' mess silver plated sugar tongs. |
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 RAF Officers' mess silver plated sugar tongs. |
RARE Boer War era cotton WD map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain.
Large detailed War Department map printed on cotton showing War Department Land on Salisbury Plain in southern England, traditionally the proving grounds for all British Artillery including the first tanks. Map clearly shows the various "danger zones" outlined in red. Of interest is Stonehenge, just outside of the range. Map is dated 1900 and priced at 1/6. Though some of the black ink is slightlly faded to brown, other colours are rich and bright and all is legible. Some minor soiling but no damage. Single sided with the ink bleeding through. A rare and interestng map, size 36" x 24."
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$200 / £155 / €185
 RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |  RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |
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 RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |  RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |
 RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |  RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |
 RARE Boer War era cotton map of British artillery training ranges on Salisbury plain |
2 x wartime Canadian base souvenir pennants, Halifax and Parrsboro Nova Scotia training bases.
Two felt souvenir pennants, each approx. 28" long: one with with silk-screened and hand-coloured name/crest of Parrsboro, Canada, the other with silk-screened and hand-sewn crossed Union flag and Canadian flag.
These pennants were collected by soldiers, sailors and airmen from all allied branches and sometimes sent home as gifts. Excellent condition and retains good color.
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$35/ £28 / €34
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 2 x wartime Canadian base souvenir pennants, Halifax and Parrsboro |  2 x wartime Canadian base souvenir pennants, Halifax and Parrsboro |
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 2 x wartime Canadian base souvenir pennants, Halifax and Parrsboro |  2 x wartime Canadian base souvenir pennants, Halifax and Parrsboro |
Rare German home front item: Junkers aircraft factory card game, complete and excellent condition.
From the German Home Front: an unusual promotional item from the 1930s for the Junkers aircraft and engine factory. A complete set of 32 playing cards for the game "Shafkopf" (sheeps head), a traditional Bavarian card game, similar to whist or bridge which was (and still is) extremely popular, with clubs and tournaments taking place regularly. In excellent condition with superb artwork. (A copy of the history and instructions (in English) on how to play will be included.
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$95 / £75 / €90
 Junkers factory branded card game |  Junkers factory branded card game |
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 Junkers factory branded card game |  Junkers factory branded card game |
 Junkers factory branded card game |  Junkers factory branded card game |
 Junkers factory branded card game |  Junkers factory branded card game |
43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal.
43 total (35 different with 8 duplicates) badges/buttons, each 0.875" (2cm) in diameter depicting the official unit insigia of various AAF fighter and bomber squadrons. Condition varies for good to very good – all retain their pins and markings with some obvious surface scratching. A wonderful home front keepsake! Sold as a lot.
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$75 / £58 / €70
 43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |  43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |
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 43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |  43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |
 43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |  43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |
 43 x WWII AAF squadron badges/buttons given away with Kelloggs "PEP" cereal |
WWII era linen British Union Flag.
Wartime British Union Flag (or Union Jack) printed on linen and overall very good condition, with a few worn spots and very small holes, fraying in some corners, but no significant damage. Marked "British Made." Colour is rich, not faded with minor stains from age and storage. Perhaps not military but very good quality and probably made to decorate towns and villages after VE-Day. 66" x 36" - great for backdrop or table cover!
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$40 / £60 / €70
 WWII era linen British Union Flag |  WWII era linen British Union Flag |
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 WWII era linen British Union Flag |  WWII era linen British Union Flag |
Germany 1944 occupation money + 8 German ration stamps.
Two 1944 series banknotes; 1 Mark and 1/2-mark (50 pfennig) issued to Allied troops as currency in anticipation of the invasion and eventual occupation of Germany. Good condition with some very minor staining from a rusted paperclip on the 1/2-Mark not. Also a partial sheet of German ration stamps for 50g of meat (Fleisch = flesh). Somewhat grubby but 8 stamps still attached together with perforations and border intact. Great accessory for a post D-Day display.
$35 / £25 / €28
 Germany 1944 occupation money + ration stamps |  Germany 1944 occupation money + ration stamps |
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ARP "Gas" Rattle dated 1939.
Excellent original and working example of the "Gas Rattle" carried by Wardens of the ARP (Air Raid Precautions). When swung it made a very loud noise which was used to alert members of the public that an air raid, possibly involving the use of poison gas, was imminent (the hand bell, offered elsewhere, signified the "all-clear"). All wood construction, the rattle is in excellent original condition, works perfectly and is well marked with ARP, manufacturer's name and a clear date of 1939. These were a throwback to WWI when they were similarly used in the trenches to warn of an impending gas attack. Few survive and many were subsequently painted in the colours of local football teams and used as "noise-makers" at matches.
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$95 / £75 / €88
 ARP gas rattle |  ARP gas rattle |
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 ARP gas rattle |  ARP gas rattle |
ARP Warden's Hudson "Police" whistle.
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The third means of communication used by ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Wardens was the ubiquitous police whistle. Since they had similar powers to the police (at least as far as telling the public to "put out that light") they were issued with a similar pea-less tube whistle. This example is chrome plated and maker marked to J. Hudson of Birmingham who were perhaps the best known manufacturers. Again a lovely example.
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$75 / £60 / €70
 ARP police whistle |  ARP police whistle |
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 ARP police whistle |
1969 Dinky Toy Spitfire MkII.
A vintage Dinky 719 Supermarine Spitfire MkII, produced in 1969 to coincide with the release of the classic film, "Battle of Britain". Wingspan of 6.75" (17cm) so close to 1/72 scale. Shows play wear but is complete with all parts and retains 85-90% of its original paint. Originally sold with an electric motor to spin the propellor - this one has no motor fitted but the prop turns nicely. Retractable undercarriage. Stickers are a little faded but a great reminder for those of us who grew up watching this great movie and "had to have" the model! No box - just the toy but displays great with any RAF collection.
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$40 / £30 / €36
 Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |  Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |
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 Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |  Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |
 Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |  Dinky Tys Spitfire Mk III Battle of Britain movie tie-in. 1969 |
WWII era plastic toy aircraft "America in the Air" on original card.
Fantastic and rare wartime plastic toy aeroplanes, still on original card! "America in the Air" by Lido Toy Corp., New York City, Made in the USA. Incredible condition. Features four small plastic aircraft, each with a wingspan of 2.5" / 6.5cm. 2 four-engine bombers (B-17) in mottled blue/white and two unusual twin-engine bombers with pusher-type propellors (I believe these are the Bell Airacuda - a rare and obscure type!) in blue plastic.
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$85 / £70 / €80
 America in the Air plastic model aircraft WWII Home Front |  America in the Air plastic model aircraft WWII Home Front |
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Wartime wooden model kit Fiat aircraft in original box.
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Wartime wooden model construction kit by Master ModelCraft of New York of a Fiat biplane fighter. Labeled as a Fiat 40 - more likely a Fiat 42. Wood fuselage requires shaping; wings are printed on wood and also require shaping. Other parts in heavy card plus turned wooden wheels and a metal propellor. Insignia are printed on paper, to be cut out and glued on. Complete and in perfect condition, still in its box - great addition to any WWII aviation display!
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$25 / £20 / €24
 Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |  Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |
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 Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |  Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |
 Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |  Wartime FIAT balsa wood model aircraft kit |
WWII era Home Front board game "Aviation" .
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Fascinating game for wartime gatherings (or anytime!). Aviation is the "Aerial tactics game of attack and defence." The game itself is 100% complete and in very good condition - all that is missing is the original box! All cards and metal stands are present, as is the board and original instruction book with "hints" on how to play - all in excellent condition. While it is a shame the original box is absent, I dare say it would be easier to find a box with partial contents than to find all the pieces (42 red cards and 42 blue, featuring every type of aircraft and defences, with 84 metal stands).
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$45 / £35 / €42
 Wartime board game "Aviation" |  Wartime board game "Aviation" |
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 Wartime board game "Aviation" |  Wartime board game "Aviation" |
 Wartime board game "Aviation" |  Wartime board game "Aviation" |
Unusual Home Front item from Nazi Germany: cabbage grater clearly marked DRGM.
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DRGM (Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster - the equivalent of a patent mark) marked cabbage grater which may have seen military use due to its field grey painted finish. Measures 11" x 4.5" (28cm x 11cm) with six integral cutting blades for slicing a cabbage and other vegetables for making soup etc. Much of the paint is worn off the front side from use, and more removed in cleaning, but the back retains about 85% of its original field grey paint. Great condition. Wonderful item to display with a Luftwaffe dinner set!
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$60 / £45 / €50 email to secure this item
 WWII German military cabbage grater |
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 WWII German military cabbage grater |
 WWII German military cabbage grater |
 WWII German military cabbage grater |
WWII era Police whistle "The Metropolitan" - as issued to Police all over Great Britain.
Patterned after the whistle first used by the Metropolitan Police (London) in the 19th century and issued to Police everywhere, this was the standard style Police whistle used in the war years. Pewter whistle marked "The Metropolitan" and "Made in England" - great condition with minimal wear.
$25 / £18 / €20 email for more details
 London Metropolitan Police whistle |
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 London Metropolitan Police whistle |
 London Metropolitan Police whistle |
 London Metropolitan Police whistle |
Complete set of Players Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft
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Excellent "Home front" item! A complete set of Players aircraft cigarette cards featuring RAF aircraft, circa 1939. Most cards in very good to excellent condition, with some showing minor creases, corner wear etc. Still retain their gummed backing for adhering in album. Preserved and supplied in archival plastic pages.
$25 / £18 / €20 email to secure this item
 Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft |
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 Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft |
 Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft |
 Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft |
 Cigarette cards - RAF aircraft |
"VICTORY" menu from Shanghai Chinese Restaurant in Madras, India, open for servicemen of all countries while stationed there or passing through.
Tri-fold heavy craft paper menu measuring 14.5" x 9.75" when open flat and offering Chinese, European and American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner — "at moderate rates." Excellent condition. Great display for any Far East or CBI display.
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$35 / £27 / €30
 "VICTORY" restaurant menu from Madras, India. |
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 "VICTORY" restaurant menu from Madras, India. |
 "VICTORY" restaurant menu from Madras, India. |