SALES December 2022

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.

Time for someone else to solve this mystery! I have had these "sounders" for many years and have tried, off and on, to research their possible origin. Basically, a pair of circular rubber pads, each with an aluminium disk installed, attached to a leather strap with a buckle. The rubber is moulded with the words "John Bull Patent" and they are clearly old - my impression is they date from the early 20th century. They came with some experimental RFC wired flying helmets (long since gone), hence I became convinced they were some kind of communication device, perhaps an alternative to the Gosport system. John Bull suggests British origin, but beyond that I have not been able to identify the item. The rubber has mostly hardened but not completely - and this has not changed in all the years I have these. They are not fragile or "sticky" although the leather strap is quite dry. Any help with ID would be welcome!

SOLD

Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.	Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.
Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.	Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.
Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.	Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.
Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.	Rare early aviation "sounders" communication receivers, John Bull Patent.

AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges.

Excellent WWII AAF enlisted man's service dress jacket with Air Corps collar devices, master sergeant's chevrons, 5 overseas stripes, WWI wound stripe and 7 hash marks, plus a beautiful felt AAF shoulder patch which appears to be overseas made. Jacket has stencil marking inside and is in great condition.

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AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges	AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges
AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges	AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges
AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges	AAF enlisted mans service dress tunic with badges

Rare ATA small cap badge for side cap.

Bullion embroidered ATA cap badge for the sidecap, worn by both male and female ATA pilots. Gold wire on black wool background, padded with paper backing. Smaller than the badge for the peaked/visor cap, this measures approx. 2" x 2".

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ATA small cap badge for side cap	ATA small cap badge for side cap
ATA small cap badge for side cap	ATA small cap badge for side cap3

Extremely rare original stole/bladder for the 1932 Pattern life vest in perfect condition.

Canadian made, by the Dominion Rubber Co.. and well marked as such, this extremely rare stole/inflation bladder for the early green life vest or Mae West is in incredible condition. Black rubber body with black rubber tube is totally flexible. The oral inflation tube has been folded to fit inside the channel on the vest but it still completely pliable. Well marked in blue ink. The Canadian made life vest is identical in every way to the British made Air Ministry version and stoles, in any condition, are one of the more challenging items to source these days. A real find.

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Extremely rare stole/bladder for the 1932 Pattern life vest	Extremely rare stole/bladder for the 1932 Pattern life vest
Extremely rare stole/bladder for the 1932 Pattern life vest	Extremely rare stole/bladder for the 1932 Pattern life vest

Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.

Superb example of the control stick - joystick - complete with all working buttons and full wiring harness, from a Hawker Hunter, one of the best loved and longest serving jet aircraft in the RAF. The Hunter first flew in 1948 and served until the 1970s. This stick is fitted with various working controls for firing its guns, rockets and other armaments, radio etc. and includes the operating brake lever. Crinkle finish hard rubber coating is 100% intact as is the data plate and other hand-etched stores ref. information. Joysticks are highly sought after and very hard to find - this is a fabulous example that would be difficult to upgrade.

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Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.	Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.
Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.	Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.
Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.	Complete control stick for the Hawker Hunter aircraft
Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.	Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.
Complete control stick top for the Hawker Hunter aircraft.

Excellent and RARE early wartime RAF officer's cap to a Group Captain in outstanding condition and large size.

This style cap was only worn by officers of the rank of Group Captain - note the single row of gold bullion (scrambled-egg) to the patent leather peak. This actually makes the Group Captain's cap the rarest RAF cap and quite difficult to find. Even more so than Air Rank (general) because there were 5 levels of Air Rank. This is a lovely early example with brownish green under-peak, made by Gieves, the preferred tailor and outfitter of the RAF. Excellent condition, showing light wear but no damage. Excellent heavily padded bullion cap badge, leather sweatband and quilted lining inside the crown bearing the Gieves label. An outstanding example of a very scarce uniform cap.

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RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain	RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain
RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain	RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain
RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain	RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain
RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain	RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain
RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain	RARE early wartime officer's cap to a Group Captain

Lovely pair of Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, worn by RAF pilots in the 1930s and the Battle of Britain.

French made Luxor No.9 goggles by E.B. Meyerowitz. Lovely example of these rare goggles, which were first used in the 1930s and remained popular throughout the Battle of Britain among fighter pilots. The Luxor models 9, 10 and 12 were all popular and are frequently seen in photos from the Battle. Goggles are in very good condition, the chromed frames are clean, the cylindrical lenses are excellent, and the distinctive orange rubber cushions are in remarkable shape. There is a smaller area of stiffening on the upper left hand cushion, but it is complete, undamaged and not misshapen at all. No crumbling, cracking or stickiness anywhere. The strap has lost its elasticity but still functions well. Though probably more commonly used in the war than the other Luxor types, the No. 9 seems to be far more scarce than the 12.

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Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle	Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle
Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle	Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle
Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle	Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle
Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle	Luxor No. 9 flying goggles, popular with RAF fighter pilots from the 1930s and throughout the Battle

RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942.

In unissued condition, this excellent other ranks KD service dress jacket looks like it just came from the stores. khaki/tan cotton drill with black plastic KC buttons and a linen label with size, date and contract information, plus a large stamped size 3.

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RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942	RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942
RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942	RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942
RAF other ranks 1937 Pattern Service Dress KD tunic dated 1942

RAAF officer's service dress cap dated 1945.

RAAF officer's peaked or visor cap in excellent condition. Dark blue gabardine with green cotton under the peak, lovely heavily padded cap badge and mohair band, narrow leather chin strap. Inside, the leather sweatband has become partly unstitched, which reveals a superb official Australian Forces label with the broad arrow mark and 1945 date. The lining is black cotton in a circular quilted pattern. The cap has a wonderful shape, with a nicely angled peak. RAAF uniform items are appreciably more scarce than other Commonwealth air forces because of the dark blue colour. I can find two very small nips on the underside at the back, near the grommets. Otherwise this cap is just superb!

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RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945	RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945
RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945	RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945
RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945	RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945
RAAF officer's peaked cap dated 1945

Nice matching set of RAF slide-on Squadron Leader rank insignia for the KD jacket.

Obviously worn with some fading to the colour, but no damage. Perfect matched pair for the KD or for the bush jacket.

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Nice matching set of RAF slide-on Squadron Leader rank insignia for the KD jacket.	Nice matching set of RAF slide-on Squadron Leader rank insignia for the KD jacket.

Matched pair of RAAF epaulettes/shoulder straps for the KD jacket, rank of Sq,Ldr.

Lovely and scarce matching pair of RAAF shoulder straps for the RAAF KD tropical uniform jacket. Rank of squadron leader, and easy to tell the owner was field promoted – bronze eagles/crowns have been moved make way for the extra strips and all stripes are mismatched! Excellent condition.

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Matched pair of RAAF epaulettes/shoulder straps for the KD jacket, rank of Sq,Ldr.	Matched pair of RAAF epaulettes/shoulder straps for the KD jacket, rank of Sq,Ldr.
Matched pair of RAAF epaulettes/shoulder straps for the KD jacket, rank of Sq,Ldr.

RAF Type B "Battle of Britain" era flying helmet, 1940 dated RARE maker: Compton, Sons & Webb - Large size 3.

Very good used example of the iconic RAF Type B flying helmet, synonymous with the Battle of Britain, produced by one of the more hard-to-find manufacturers: Compton, Sons & Webb. I believe 1940 is the only year CS&W were given the AM contract to produce these helmets - every example I have come across has been dated 1940. This was possibly to make up numbers at a time when more new pilots were being trained, as well as recruited from other allied countries in order to cover the losses suffered in the Battle of Britain, making CS&W a very rare label. They have a distinctive style featuring a curved, contoured forehead and a close fit around the face. There is also quite heavy padding to the crown. This is a very good, clean example in a rare large size. The leather covering is worn away on both Bennett buckle pull tabs and the telephone receiver holders have been removed to facilitate easier installation of receivers (a fairly common modification), but it retains both leather zip pullers and is overall in very good condition with no damage. The dark, peat brown leather is in very good condition and the interior is cleaner than most - and of course it has that superb CS&W label. There is no metal tip to the chin strap, but it appears to have never been fitted. A very rare variant in a scarce and nice large size.

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RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3	RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3
RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3	RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3
RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3	RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3
RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3	RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3
RAF Type B helmet, 1940 dated Compton, Sons & Webb size 3

White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet.

Scarce and highly sought after US Navy carrier deck fighter pilot's flying helmet, made by adapting an issued deck crew helmet with the addition of ear-cups for telephone receivers. In this case, the early light brown telephone holders have been sewn to either side. The helmet is USN property marked and named inside to F.W. Luchke. This style was popular with fighter pilots and dive-bomber pilots during the Battle of Midway, and became iconic throughout the war in the Pacific. Slightly grubby but a great example.

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White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet
White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet
White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet
White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet
White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet
White cotton US Navy deck/flying helmet

RAF specialty tool box dated 1941.

Beautifully made small tool box made from heavy leather and black metal with a locking clasp to the front. Smallish size 10.5" x 4.5" x 4.5” suggests specialty tools, perhaps for cockpit instruments?

The stores ref. number of 1A/511 is marked on the side. The 1A category is “Tools, General A-F." Crisp Air Ministry mark and date of 1941 embossed into the leather.

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RAF specialty tool box dated 1941	RAF specialty tool box dated 1941
RAF specialty tool box dated 1941	RAF specialty tool box dated 1941
RAF specialty tool box dated 1941	RAF specialty tool box dated 1941
RAF specialty tool box dated 1941	RAF specialty tool box dated 1941

RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label.

Battle of Britain period RAF other ranks side cap in quite excellent condition. Cap shows no sign of wear or damage, and is complete with a nice polished RAF cap badge and brass buttons to front. Linen label sewn inside with contract information and date of 1940, together with size 6-5/8. Battle of Britain dated uniform items are getting very difficult to source and this is a superb example for a Sergeant pilot or ground crew display.

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RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label	RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label
RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label	RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label
RAF other ranks side cap with 1940 dated label

RAF silk glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets in original wrapping.

Perhaps less scarce then the chamois glove liners, the silk inner gloves are still a very hard-to-find flying clothing accessory, especially in this kid of condition. This pair is exceptional, unissued and unworn, in a large size 10, and still tacked together at the wrist. They come in their original fitted wax paper bag. Intended to be worn together with the chamois gloves under the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets, they were often worn alone, especially by navigators, while working on plotting courses and handling delicate drawing instruments. Impossible to find better.

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RAF silk glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets	RAF silk glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets
RAF silk glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets	RAF silk glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 pattern gauntlets
IMG_8540

USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask.

Superb US Navy pilot and aircrew aircraft rebreather set Mk IIIA by MSA, complete with Type C oxygen face mask. The complete kit is in superb condition, the mask appears unused, the rubber soft and pliable with a clean chamois lining, and straps for attaching to the buckles on the flying helmet, plus elastic straps with hooks for corresponding plates on the helmet. Mask is dated 4/42 inside. Includes the two-stage breathing tube/hose. The green painted outer container is clean and shows no dings or damage and retains its nomenclature plate alongside contract information and clear USN acceptance mark. These rebreather kits were used in carrier deck fighters and dive bombers early in the war and are perhaps synonymous with Dauntless and Helldiver pilots during the Battle of Midway. This excellent example would be very difficult to upgrade.

SOLD

USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask	USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask
USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask	USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask
USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask	USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask
USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask	USN Mk IIIA aircraft oxygen rebreather with Type C oxygen mask

RAF Type 16 telephone receivers for the Types C, D and E flying helmets with packaging.

Very good used pair of Type 16 receivers as found in the Types C, D and E helmets. These are still wrapped in wax paper. Even though they show use, it was common to wrap items for storage after testing them to make sure they were serviceable. Type 16 are perhaps more scarce than the Type 32 (distinguished by having a white rectangle or paint dot). A very hard accessory to find these days.

SOLD

RAF Type 16 telephone receivers for the Types C, D and E flying helmets with packaging.	RAF Type 16 telephone receivers for the Types C, D and E flying helmets with packaging.
RAF Type 16 telephone receivers for the Types C, D and E flying helmets with packaging.

RARE RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain fighter pilot's wool pullover.

A very rare find these days! This is a genuine, original example. The Frock, White, is in fact a wool pullover issued to aircrews early in the war and synonymous with Battle of Britain fighter pilots, although they also a favourite of bomber crews. Made from off-white wool with a high round neck, but not usually a roll-neck, they were one of the items most commonly kept and worn after the war, hence there are so few around today. This example is in fair to good condition, with numerous small holes in the main body and sleeves, most notably on the back. If carefully folded for display, or under a uniform tunic or BD blouse, these do not show badly. It is also grubby, but would perhaps clean up with care. Please view photos full size to see the extent of the holes. Diamond shaped cotton reinforcements inside the shoulders with red stitching, probably the owners mark. In better condition this would undoubtedly be priced considerably higher, but even as is would make a good addition to any collection.

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RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain wool pullover	RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain wool pullover
RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain wool pullover	RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain wool pullover
RAF frock, white - iconic Battle of Britain wool pullover

Ceremonial George V Police truncheon - WWI era.

Absolutely superb George V Ceremonial Police truncheon. Made from hardwood with grip and the addition of a GRV decal for special presentation / ceremonial parade use. Retains original leather wrist strap. Beautiful condition with a few minor scratches to decal but about 90% intact. British police uniforms and equipment, especially truncheons, have become highly collectible in recent years since the British police ceased carrying these in the 1990s. 15" long.

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GRV ceremonial police truncheon	GRV ceremonial police truncheon
GRV ceremonial police truncheon	GRV ceremonial police truncheon

RAF other ranks trouser braces.

Often hard-to-find accessory for a uniform display. These braces (suspenders in the USA) were standard issue in all branches of the service. No markings but I have seen the exact same type with Air Ministry stamps and wartime dates. No elastic - cotton webbing tapes with blue-grey painted metal clips and leather hangers for the trouser buttons. Excellent condition.

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RAF other ranks trouser braces	RAF other ranks trouser braces
RAF other ranks trouser braces

1/24 scale metal RAF fighter pilot figure.

Companion to the Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure (below). IR Miniatures RAF fighter pilot figure, with original box, dated 1973. 3-3/8" tall (85mm). Slightly loose on base. Has been quite well painted but could be cleaned off with thinner and repainted if desired or at least retouched where some of the pain is slightly worn (the cap). Life jacket is incorrectly painted yellow per the instructions - should be green. However it looks fine and could be displayed as is alongside flying clothing or headgear.

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1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure
1/24 scale metal RAF pilot figure

1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure.

Companion to the RAF fighter pilot (above). IR Miniatures all metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure, with original box, dated 1973. 3-3/8" tall (85mm). Has been quite well painted but could be cleaned and repainted if required. However it looks fine as is and could be displayed alongside flying clothing or headgear.

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1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure
1/24 scale metal Luftwaffe fighter pilot figure