US Navy Slote and Klein AN6540 summer flying helmet in unissued condition, no receivers fitted.
Unissued condition later war USN / USMC summer flight helmet made uunder contract N288s. Size Medium which equates to Large in AAF equivalent (same size as the AN-H-16 above!). Impossible to upgrade!
SOLD
 USN AN6540 unissued |
|---|
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
Scarce Great War Royal Flying Corps cowl type flying helmet.
Now harder than ever to find, these cowl type helmets were issued to all RFC pilots and aircrews, though they are said to have been favoured by gunners who had to stand up in their turrets and were exposed to cold air - however photgraphs show they were also worn extensively by pilots of both figher (scout ) aircarft and bombers. In overall great display condition, the leather is very good, although it could probably use some dressing. The chamois lining is also good and the War Dept issue stamp can be seen, though faintly, inside. The fur area has moulted, as is common, and the skin shows some minor insect damage, but this doesn't show when displayed. The helmet retains it's earflaps and original chin strap and nuckle. The padded cylinders were clearly removed at the time (as was common practice - they were found to be useless at deflecting sound and actually caused more noise from vibrating). The keather is evenly faded around their stitch holes showing this was definitely a period modification. A very scarce helmet in good to very good condiiton.
SOLD
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
|---|
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
RARE 1942 dated Luftwaffe rubberized linen night bombing target map of Aberdeen and Peterhead, Scotland.
Small scale map measures 53 cm x 43 cm (23" x 17") printed in colour on brght yellow rubberized linen. Single-sided in outstanding condition, very clean and no folds or pin holes as are usually found. These were carried in night bombing aircraft - the yellow background and bright features showing up well under red cockpit lighting. Being waterproof they could also be used for sailing / navigation in the event of ditching or baling out at sea. Maps shows depths of North Sea off the coast of Scotland as well as major targets on the northern Scottish coast. Aberdeen was bombed very badly in April 1943 by waves of Luftwaffe bombers coming from bases in Norway. These target maps are quite rare and highly sought after accessories and make attractive displays alongside Luftwaffe flying kit.
SOLD
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
|---|
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
NEW LISTINGS!
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RAF Sherry glasses from the officers' mess.
A matching set of four sherry glasses from an RAF officer's mess, dating from c.1930 to WWII. Excellent condition with no cracks or chips and etched RAF crest. Would prefer to sell as a set, since all are matched, but if no interest will split and sell individually.
All 4: $150 / £120 / €130
Each: $45 / £35 / €40
 RAF sherry glasses |  RAF sherry glasses |
|---|---|
 RAF sherry glasses |
RAF egg cup from the officers' mess.
Eggs were a very rare commodity back in WWII and reserved only for those flying on ops. (everyone else had to make do with powdered eggs). Imagine arriving back at dawn after a long night raid and being able to enjoy a soft boiled egg - it was quite a luxury. This egg cup is exquisite: bone china made by Aynsley, with a blue glaze, gold leaf trim and RAF crest lithographed in blue. No cracks, chips or damage - perfect condition.
 RAF officer's mess egg cup |
|---|
 RAF officer's mess egg cup |
Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
Parachutes / Mae Wests
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Life Vest, Tropical pattern, complete with original stole and kapoks - Australian made.
Incredibly rare Tropical version of the 1932 Pattern Life Vest / Mae West. The 1932 pattern life vest was made in two variants: Temperate and Tropical, with the temperate being more of a waistcoat style, with a 3 button front, while the tropical was more skeletal, tied only with cotton tapes having a narrow strip fabric at the back. There is photographic evidence both types were worn during the Battle of Britain. British and Canadian made examples were green, while those made in the Commonwealth were also produced in tan/khaki. This example is Australian made, though most of its printed markings have faded (some can be seen faintly). Condition overall is very good, used. There evidence of wear but no damage. Good working zip at the collar allowing access to the fabric covered stole (bladder) and kapoks, both of which are excellent and also marked. Fabric is rubberized inside but much of the coating has dried and flaked off. Some sun fading which looks worse in the photos than in real life. An incredibly rare item.
$2,500 / £ 2,100 / €2,380
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
|---|---|
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
AAF parachute back cushion/pad.
Olive drab/khaki canvas back cushion for the AAF parachute harness in excellent condition - possibly unissued (just a little storage wear). Feels like the standard horsehair stuffing.
$125 / £105 / €118
 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
|---|
 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
AAF parachute / equipment bag.
Olive drab canvas hold-all issued as an equipment bag but mostly associated with parachute equipment. Very useful bags! Especially when in such great condition with a fully functioning zip and no wear or damage. Nicely marked and named to two different airmen, with a nice AAF logo to the front. Storage wear but overall very good.
$100 / £83 / €94
 AAF parachute / equipment bag |  AAF parachute / equipment bag |
|---|---|
 AAF parachute / equipment bag |  AAF parachute / equipment bag |
Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover).
Though missing the lower cover, this K dinghy pack for the seat type parachute is a bit grubby from storage but in overall good condition and named to a Fleet Air Arm crewman with 827 squadron. 827 operated Barracuda aircraft and took part in Operation Tungsten, the attack on the Tirpitz. The pack has an official blue "Unserviceable" tag attached noting that the dinghy cylinder pocket is torn. No doubt the serviceable parts were salvaged for use elsewhere. All internal pockets are present and it still has its male attachment clip for fastening to the mae west. The pack is well marked and named to Petty Officer Love. A great piece of history with a possible Tirpitz connection - well worth researching.
$235 / £199 / €226
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |  Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
|---|---|
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |  Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |  Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |  Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |  Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
 Pack Type A Mk II/III for the K Dinghy (minus lower cover) |
AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) with GENUINE WW2 silk canopy inside.
Early style "square" pack used from 1942-43 until replaced with the "barrel" shaped design. Made by the Rigger Depot - but this example has been custom fitted with a genuine WW2 dated (August 1944) silk parachute canopy. This is as new and has never been worn or used.
Note: canopy is correctly packed but is NOT attached to the risers and this can NOT be used to jump.
$495 / £430 / €495
Pack only without canopy:
$295 / £256 / €295
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
|---|---|
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
AAF Pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft.
Heavy canvas pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft for attaching to the seat-type parachute harness. This is one of the later types with the hooks reversed so that the wearer sat on the opening. manufacture date of March 1945. Made by Rubber Raft Corp. of America. Very good condition, with some staining and soiling from storage.
$220 / £160 / €185
 AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |
|---|---|
 AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |
RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern Mae West.
Small version of the heliograph / signal mirror which was intended for the Type K dinghy survival kit, but invariably finished up being carried in the small pocket on the 1941 pattern Mae West. Complete with cotton pouch and siting tool, all in excellent condition, with printed instructions on back of steel mirror. Minor rust stain on pouch and tiny speck of rust on siting tool. Retains cord for attaching to eyelet on Mae West.
$90 / £65 / €77
 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |  RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
|---|---|
 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |  RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
AAF chest type parachute
T-ring to deploy 'chute.
One of those hard-to-find accessories to complete a parachute pack or display. The "T" shape pull handle for a chest type parachute as used by aircrew.
$25 / £18 / €20
 AAF chest type parachute T-ring |  AAF chest type parachute T-ring |
|---|---|
 AAF chest type parachute T-ring |
WWII or early post war period commercial life vest probaby for passengers on commercial flights.
Single chamber, blue grey rubberized fabric life preserver fitted with an auto-inflation mechanism as well as a top-up tube. Fastens by one webbing tape around the waist and one tie at the front. It looks like a cross between a German Luftwaffe issue vest and a USAAF issue B-5 but is marked Knapp and Monach, St. Louis, USA on the mechanism. No other markings that I can see. Lacks cartridge but in excellent, unused condition.
$40 / £30 / €350 email to secure this item
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
|---|
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
AAF Back Pack parachute "ripcord" comprising "D" ring and cable with release pins still attached.
Back Pack parachutes were used throughout the war, from 1942 onwards, by both fighter pilots and bomber crews, although they are thought of as somewhate scarce (and are certainly less common than either the seat pack or the clip-on chest pack). This ripcord comprises the D-ring handle with long cable and a series of 4 release pins, all of which are present. The handle is stamped AN 6571-1 with a W in a circle.
£20 / $25 / €24 Click to secure item
 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |
|---|
 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |
 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |