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SALES April 2021

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Early post war Royal Danish Air Force officer's cap.

Of the same pattern as the WWII cap, the design of the badge changed shortly after the war, and this is a very early post war example. The cap is identical to the WWII RAF officer's peaked cap, made from the same blue-grey barathea wool with a black mohair band, bullion and metal cap badge and patent leather chin strap secured with gilt buttons. The interior is lined with green felt. The bullion and stamped metal badge is exquisite. Dusty from storage, this is a superb and seldom seen cap in very good condition.

SOLD

WWI booklet of French postcards "Bataille de Champagne" 1914-1915.

 

Superb collection of 20 postcards in a booklet with perforations to remove (one become detached but still present - set is complete with all 20 postcards). The covers show wear, postcards are in excellent condition, each separated by a sheet of thin tissue (onion skin). Some images are disturbing but all are outstanding.

SOLD

Booklet / Novello of the classic wartime RAF feature film "One of our aircraft is missing." 

 

32-pages plus cover, 9" x 7" booklet / novello of one of the great classic RAF war films "One of our aircraft is missing," made in 1941 about the crew of a Wellington shot down over Holland who endeavour to escape. A wonderful piece of wartime nostalgia / propaganda, based on the true story of Dutch resistance members who had been executed for helping RAF crews to escape.  Booklet contains the story and numerous photos from the film.

SOLD

RAF Type G oxygen mask with Type 48 microphone.

 

Very nice example of the RAF Type G Oxygen Mask in grey green rubber. Appears unused since the grey suede lining is not soiled at all, and overall is in very good condition. A couple of edge splits, the worst of which are on the bottom edge where the lining is sectioned, but no hardening or perishing to rbber and mask is well above average condition. Minor surface cracks at the stress points, around the nosewire lugs and top edge near nose, but again not a serious issue; nosewire firmly attached.  Fitted with the early type mask harness with flat loop/hook. Harness retains elasticity and even has one of its original rubber bands in place. Nice clean Type 48 microphone. A decent mask that displays well.

SOLD

Complete and original "Erection and maintenance manual for the  P-38 Lightning models H, J and F." 

 

Simply gargantuan and amazing, especially for any true fan of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Dated April 15, 1944 and published by the AAF commanding general, this 758 page leatherette bound book,  12 x 9 inches, and illustrated throughout, tells you everything you would need to know to build a P-38 Lightning as well as maintain it in flying condition. An invaluable tool for anyone who owns one, but as a historical document simply unequal in its depth and detail, with many folding out pages, diagrams of every system and complete list of parts. Over 2-inches thick! Excellent condition, with oxidation to the gilt titling on the cover but no other wear or damage.

SOLD

Rare original RAF Pilot's and Flight Engineer's Notes for Avro Lancaster Mk I, III and X (Merlin engine) dated 4/44.

Very rare and highly sought after original Pilot's and Flight Engineer's Notes for the iconic Lancaster bomber, Mk I, III and X which was the mainstay of RAF Bomber Command after 1942. Original 48-page booklet includes several fold out pages with diagrams and photographs and hand written/pasted amendments up to August 1945. This is basically the manual on 'how to fly" the Lancaster which was given to every pilot and flight engineer. Publication is dated 4/44. Very good condition, with some rusting to the staples causing the center pages to be loose, but all pages present.

SOLD

Princess Mary Christmas Gift , for the troops, 1914 - Chocolate Tin.

Beautiful brass tin which would have contained chocolate (now empty), given by Princess Mary to all serving troops as a Christmas gift in 1914. Tin is in lovely condition, with a few ripples in the soft metal but no damage and hinge closes perfectly. After consuming the chocolate, the tin could be used for tobacco or other useful items and carried in the pocket. Lovely example.

 

SOLD

RAF aircraft seat belt "Sutton" Harness dated 1943 in excellent condition.

 

Sutton harness, complete with all 4 straps and its quick release pin buckle, superbly marked and dated 1943. Appears to be straight out RAF Stores and never used, condition is remarkable except for some light oxidation on the metal fittings. Canvas webbing is superb and all markings are crisp. Difficult to say what type of aircraft this was made for, the same type harness was fitted in many RAF aircraft of the day, in particular on the pilot's seat. If anyone can help to identify the type, please email.

SOLD

US 1930s civilian flying helmet "Buco".

 

Tan cotton twill flying helmet of typical 1930s pattern, labeled a "Buco" product by  Joseph Buegeleissen of Detroit. Many Army Air Corps pilots started their training with this type of helmet, and Navy pilots were often issued this pattern to which they later added leather or rubber ear cups for receivers. Very good condition, good size (marked medium but generous). High quality item with interesting bright green snaps on goggle tabs.

SOLD

RAF Instrument Flying Training Goggles.

Based on the WWII USAAF Type B-8 Flying Goggles by Polaroid, these goggles feature dark blue lenses in rubber frames with a soft chamois backing and a RAF Mk VIII goggle strap. Some oxidation on metal fittings on strap, otherwise excellent condition. Strap retains elasticity. This type goggle was used by the US Navy in WWII  and adopted by the RAF shortly afterwards.

SOLD

RAF Type H Mask, Feb 1945 dated with rare heater inlet.

Extremely rare wartime dated RAF Type H oxygen mask, with clear 2/45 date moulded into rubber, in very good condition, the rubber pliable and with no damage, only minor surface folds to underside from being folded. Good harness, Type 57 microphone with short cord and plug. Fitted with extremely are inlet valve that includes a narrow inlet port for (presumably) heated air to prevent the oxygen tube freezing. Note: this will not connect to a standard mask tube.

SOLD

RAF "Responsibilities of a POW" card, AP1548.  

 

Issued to all RAF airmen involved in active combat duties, yet few of these have survived. Tri-fold, 6-panel printed card with instructions for all members of aircrew in the event of bring shot down and captured. Includes how to deal with interrogation, the protection of the Geneva Convention, etc. Considered confidential (Restricted) and "Not to be taken into the air." An interesting read and an important survival item.

SOLD

RAF Sweater, Aircrew, Navy Blue 22c/996.

Replaced the "Frock, White" in March 1944 though basically similar in design and pattern, without the internally reinforced shoulders. Crew neck (not roll) in navy blue wool. No label but has initials block printed inside the neck. Very small size but very good condition with a couple of small holes that are barely visible. Very scarce item - this is only the second I have ever seen.

SOLD

RAF uniform dress socks in perfect, unissued condition, broad arrow labeled and dated 1945.

Extremely scarce uniform accessory - unissued pair of RAF uniform dress socks in perfect condition. These were worn every day including on operations. Black wool, ribbed pattern, calf length socks. Both still have original labels intact and are dated 1945.  Very hard to find accessory to complete a RAF uniform and flying kit display. 

SOLD

Wartime RAF issue other ranks wool gloves.

Excellent pair of original RAF issue woolen gloves for other ranks. These are the type that were made by housewives who joined the "RAF Comforts Committee" and provided knitted clothing including jumpers, scarves, balaclava hoods and these gloves for serving airmen. Great condiiton and they have a label sewn inside with the serial number of this airman.

SOLD

Scarce RAF Goggles Flying, Lightweight (known as Mk II).

 

Popularly referred to as "Mk II Goggles" the correct designation was  Goggles Flying, Lightweight, 22C/44. Introduced in 1928 and declared obsolescent in 1935 when the Mk III and IIIa were introduced. However, due to the unpopularity of the III and IIIa, these goggles were reintroduced in 1940 and consequently saw extensive use during the Battle of Britain and later in the Middle East. This pair is, I believe, an early example judging by the heavy leather strap and buckles and the early Triplex logo etched onto the glass lenses. There is a faint A-crown-M stamp and what appears to be an AID number on the chamois. They show use but no abuse or damage (one small nick in  leather covering the springs). Springs still have elasticity, lenses are clear. A very good used pair of these rare and iconic goggles.

SOLD

Wartime RAF Mk VIII goggles.

 

A very good displayable pair of Mk VIII flying goggles, characteristic of wartime production/issue  with rolled edge, large padded cushions, lip vents. Good grey painted brass frames, clear lenses showing slight delamination, good leather pads and strap which is slightly stained but still has some stretch to it. Oxidation to metal fittings. Frame has the slightest ripple on the right hand edge and some stitching has separated, but this in no way detracts from their appearance. There are faint markings to the leather nose guard, Mk VIII and 22C/930.

SOLD

RARE RFC Mk I Goggle Mask by Howard Spence.

 

Rare Mk I Goggle Mask by a very rare maker: Howard Spence of Hanover Street, London. For being over 100 years old, this goggle mask is in remarkable condition. Leather very good, fabric eye-pieces with no damage, good frames and decent  yellow lenses (though one lens has some very small chips at the edge). Fur backing has moulted as it does with most of these, but original strap is in good shape - though no longer has elasicity.  Superb gold foil markings and both frames also marked with the broad arrow + "A". The only pair by this maker I have ever seen.

SOLD

Very scarce RFC Mk II Goggle Mask by Triplex.

 

Rare Mk II Goggle Mask by Triplex. Like the Mk I above, for being over 100 years old, it is in remarkable condition. Leather very good, fabric eye-pieces with no damage, good frames and good yellow lenses. One lens has a small chip and a hairline crack (which is hard to see and does not detract in any way).  Triplex logo sticker on one lens. Fur backing has moulted. Original strap is in good shape - though no longer has elasicity.  Superb gold foil markings and  frame is marked with the broad arrow + "A". Overall a very good displayable pair of rare goggles..

SOLD

Extremely rare 1918 Pattern RAF officer's Service Dress tunic in Russian blue.

 

Considered by many uniform collectors as one of the "Holy Grail" items. This uniform was in service for a period of just over a year before being replaced with the more familiar blue-grey barathea. Legends abound as to the reason for its inception, and it is known by many names: "Russian blue", "French Blue" and "Horizon blue" being the most popular. It is a light blue gaberdine wool with matching attached belt, gilt RAF buttons and gold lace around the cuff indicating the rank of Flying Officer.  It also has a superb set of well-padded gold and silver bullion wire pilot wings on black melton. In overall very good condition, with some slight wear and few worn spots to the lower left bellows pocket. A quite superb example, which is sadly unidentified but 100% original. 

 

SOLD

AAF Sterling pilot wing, full size, pin-back.

Excellent wartime example of a full size AAF Pilot wing in sterling silver. Ni maker's hallmark but a nice sterling mark on the back. 

SOLD

Complete set of RAF mission orders, maps and charts for raid on Bremen including H2S target map.

Rare find! A complete set of RAF mission orders, maps and charts for a bombing raid on Bremen, including the very hard to find H2S target map printed n muted colours for readability under nighttime red cockpit lights. Includes the original "Secret" mission plan/strategy document with amendments;  this includes navigation co-ordinates for bombing and decoy runs. Also 2 small scale photographic maps of target and 1 large scale photographic map of target, plus the large scale graphic city map. All are marked with the mission ops code (GH374). Minor wear and creasing and edge wear to large map, but a fantastic  set of paperwork for a bombing mission to a major German target. 

SOLD

RAF night adaption goggles, Mk I - first type used.

 

Early dark or night adaption used by RAF pilots and aircrews to adjust their vision prior to flying at night. Leather mask with small, very dark green lenses and elastic strap.  Recognizable from the distinctive "diamond" shaped sewing pattern of the mask which was carried through in later marks. The second, improved type had red lenses which were found to be more effective and metal vents on each side. these early, primitive models are quite scarce. Leather is very good, metal frames have oxidation, lenses are good. Elastic still has some stretch, but shows fraying at the edge.

SOLD

RAF First Type Signalling Mirror.

 

First type signalling mirror carried by RAF pilots from 1940 during the Battle of Britain until the small, square heliograph was issued with the 1941 pattern "mae wests". Comprised an actual glass mirror, circular in design, mounted in a metal frame with  a brass backing (the same mirror was also produced with a bakelite frame  - this is the metal framed variant). A leather strap and buckle enabled it to to be attached to webbing tape on the life vest. One small area at the edge of the glass where the silvering has tarnished and some paint loss to frame, but a great example, good strap and nice clear Air Ministry marking and stores ref. number plus maker mark and date of 1940 to back.

SOLD

RAF flight observer's visual haze screen.

 

Officially classified as "Flying Clothing"  and given the stores ref. number 22c/872 as the "Mk I, Screen Visual Haze". It was issued to flight observers on daytime bomber and reconnaissance aircraft for scanning the horizon to aid in spotting enemy aircraft, shipping and submarines. This is an early example in a wood frame manufactured by Kodak with red, dark and yellow screens for different conditions. Very good condition, solid frames, glass lamination is a bit cloudy. Well marked. Not a commonly found piece of equipment.

SOLD

RARE RAF / MI9 miniature escape compass - the smallest made.

 

At just 7mm in diameter, this was the smallest miniature compass offered by Clayton Hutton's MI9, and as such could be concealed in numerous hiding places, including inside a smoker's pipe or even inside a cigarette, as well as in the seams of clothing, or a cap button etc. They are extremely rare, very likely because being so small, they were easily lost. This one shows some wear externally from use but functions perfectly. One of very few I have ever come across.

SOLD

RAF Electric Torch, Type A, in original box as issued.

 

RAF Electric Torch, type A,  as issued to any and all RAF personnel, for use as and when needed. It was carried in aircraft and used on the ground my mechanics. Produced by the thousand yet few survive because it was one of those extremely useful items that most kept after the war until used up. This example is in very good condition, with some minor loss of paint and light coating of rust (most noticeably inside) but no dings or dents. I put 2 D-cell batteries in and it WORKS PERFECTLY! Lens is intentionally diffused to shine a softer beam of light.  A scarce accessory and having it's original storage box is a bonus.

SOLD

Named AAF officer's tunic with fantastic "Yank in the RAF" history.

 

Lovely WWII AAF officer's 4-pocket tunic with printed name on tailor's label of Carlow. Earle Carlow  had a remarkable war record. Born in Maine, he joined the RCAF and according to his obituary flew with the Eagle Squadrons, before transferring to the 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force in 1944. He was shot down while strafing German positions, captured and sent to POW camp from which he escaped, made his way back to England and flew to fight again. His story is told in several books, including "Americans in Paris" by Charles Glass and "They came from Burgundy: A study of the Bourgogne escape line" by Keith James. Tunic is in excellent used condition, with correct award ribbons, and insignia including both AAF and RAF wings. It has a curious green plastic buckle which I suppose may be a replacement.  His name does not appear on the Eagle Squadron roster but a photograph 

(attached) shows him wearing the 1942 badge. There was often confusion among pilots who transferred to the 4th Fighter Group and an assumption that all were former Eagles, whereas in fact only those with 71, 121 and 133 were considered Eagles. Nonetheless a true "Yank in the RAF" item and a great piece of history.

SOLD

Named RCAF Observer DFC uniform jacket and  correct matching trousers with Ops wing.

 

Superb RCAF tunic, manufactured by a London tailor and complete with Canada shoulder titles, lovely observer brevet, plus ribbons for DFC, 39-45 Star and Canadian service medal and the gold ops wing denoting a full tour of operations. named to Flt. Lt. Jackson. The only Jackson I could find who fits is Alfred Hillman Jackson who served with 219 Squadron and whose skills led to the sinking of a U-Boat and the rescue of an aircrew adrift in a dinghy, among other things (see attached screen shot). Worthy of much deeper research. An original and never messed with tunic in very good condition, with a couple of small nips in the rear shoulder and wear to lower pockets. Trousers have a minor repair to crotch area and were either tailored with a very early zip fastener (Flit, made in Britain) or professionally retrofitted with the zip. Interesting the zip has green fabric. 

SOLD

WAAF uniform cardigan, named and dated 1943.

 

WAAF uniform cardigan, named, with great Air Ministry label dated 1943. Very good condition  with a few very minor nips that you have to look hard to see. WAAF uniform items are extremely difficult to source, being such a small branch of the military. This is the only example of one of these rare cardigans I have ever come across. For anyone building a display of the WAAFs who served in the control rooms and operational centres, this is a real find.

SOLD

AAF Type A-1 Snap-on Visor for flying helmet.

Quite a difficult item to find because they didn't make or issue too many of these. For pilots who spent any amount of time flying in direct sunlight, these, together with sunglasses, could help alleviate glare and the stress. It required 2 male snaps fasteners to be attached to the flying helmet, usually on the hard rubber ear cups. Excellent condition and well-marked. 

 

SOLD

Great War French Roold aviator's safety helmet in good condition and a large size. 

 

Produced for and sold in the Roold Department store in Paris, this helmet became ubiquitous in the Great War and was used by all the warring nations. It was standard issue for French aviators but also found its way into Royal Flying Corps inventory and was also used by German flyers, since at one time or another, almost all armies were stationed in or around Paris. This example shows use but is in remarkable condition for its age. The oilcloth covered cork is nicely darkened from engine oil  but retains its shape well;l. The brass "wheel" inserts in the ear flaps appear to have been removed, perhaps to facilitate better communications? There are two holes purposely cut into the side skirts, perhaps to toe a scarf or even an early oxygen mask? The helmet retains its quilted lining and inner elastic strap (no longer stretchy) as well as its original chin strap button. A very large size 59. 

SOLD

WWI US Air Service collar devices with flags and propellors. 

 

Excellent matching pair of US Army Air Service collar devices with crossed signal corps flags over flaming torch in bronze and horizontal silver propellors. Lovely early design with crisp detail. One flagpole slightly bent but could easily be straightened.

SOLD

AAF T-30-S throat microphone with "M" Clip.

 

T-30-S by Universal. Not in the best of shape, with the rubber coating broken at the junction with the neck-piece, although the internal wiring is holding it together well. Neck strap is also frayed. However still displayable and includes the scarce "M" clip for giving a better contact with the larynx. 

SOLD

AAF T-30-S throat microphone.

 

T-30-S by Universal. Very good condition, though neck strap has lost most of its elasticity. A good display item.

SOLD

Post War RAAF Air Loadmaster badge.

 

Superb burnished metal RAAF Air Loadmaster badge, post-1952 with Queen's Crown and clutch back, but with clutch post missing. No markings. 2.5" (6cm). Similar style as the RAAF pilot badge above. Another Beautiful badge.

SOLD

RAF radio plug connector to enable crew to communicate while moving around aircraft.

 

Female connector for the helmet bell plug to allow aircrew to use radio while moving from station to station in  bomber and / or reconnaissance aircraft. Would be attached at various positions inside aircraft.

2 sold, 1 available.

SOLD

WWI era miniature German-French Dictionary.

I found this some time ago in the pocket of a WWI uniform I was handling at the time. It was quite possibly a soldier's best friend at one time: a German-French Dictionary, but in miniature, so it could easily be  carried, and if necessary concealed. Measuring less than 2" x 1.5"  x  .5" thick (5cm x 3.5cm x 7mm thick) with an incredible 590 pages! It has tiny print but could be very useful to anyone trying to evade capture or escape, or accidentally wondering across the lines (as many did in the Great War). Cover is red waterproofed linen. Printed in Leipzig by Schmidt and Gunther. A remarable find.

SOLD

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