SALES December 2023

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Beautiful RAF "Jamaica" Squadron (139) silver plated spoons and forks.

While RAF/ Air Ministry mess hall cutlery is not uncommon, items attributed to a specific squadron are incredibly rare. Offered are 4 items from the Sergeant's Mess of 139 "Jamaica" Squadron. In 1940, the people of Jamaica raised funds to equip 139 squadron with brand new Blenheim aircraft, and the squadron adopted the monicker "Jamaica Squadron". The squadron was first to fly an operational sortie in WWII and later, after converting to Mosquitoes, became one of the leading elite Pathfinder squadrons. Offered are two each full sized forks and spoons, in heavy silver plate, marked RAF Jamaica Squadron Sergeant's Mess. They are maker marked Walker & Hall Sheffield on the reverse. High quality and excellent condition though tarnished (I left them alone). Price is for all four pieces.

SOLD

RAF wartime officer's mess silver-plated table or serving spoon.

Lovely large serving spoon from a wartime officer's mess. Also called a table spoon; large spoon with beautiful RAF King's Crown crest engraved and well marked on the back. Very good condition. The larger serving sizes don't turn up very often.

SOLD

RAF Mk IIA Height and Airspeed Computor in its original packaging.

WWII Mk IIA height and Airspeed computor in immaculate condition, unused and still in its original packaging. Air Ministry marked on the back, making it pre-1943 production, but evidently inspected and repacked in September 1947 where it remained until recently discovered. Still with stores tag attached. Excellent example.

SOLD

RARE early production RAF 41 Pattern yellow Mae West, named to 401 squadron Spitfire pilot.

Extremely rare first production RAF stole-inflated yellow life vest, complete. The very earliest model, popularly known as 1941 Pattern Mae West. Superb "Howard Flint" manufacturer's label states this is a "Flap Type" but the flap has been cut removed, in keeping with AMOs. The only feature is the dye-pack pocket and the automatic inflation mechanism – vest has none of the later added features: no grab handles, leg/crotch tapes, eyelet for whistle; pocket for skull-cap, or floating lamp pocket. Makeshift attachment for the dinghy is rigger added. Dished brass buttons. Vest has a few minor holes (just wear and tear and age), the largest of which is to the front, smaller holes at the edge but no major detractions; zip works fine and reveals rare early yellow silk covered Air Ministry marked stole (bladder) dated 1/42 and fitted with its A-M marked chrome inflation lever mechanism, plus early kapok pads, A-M marked. Named to F/O Bowman of 401 Squadron, a Spitfire squadron operated by the RCAF. Examples of first model stole inflated life-saving waistcoats are extremely rare and having it ID'd to a known fighter unit is a superb bonus.

SOLD

RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers - blank.

Unissued and completely unfilled, an unused RAF log book for Navigators, Air Bombers, Gunners and Flight Engineers. 1943 revision/printing and in perfect condition (except for slight foxing to the pages). Makes a nice souvenir alongside a completed log book or for display with aircrew training equipment.

SOLD

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

Last pair! 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

Leather case for accessories for the RAF Mk IVB flying goggles.

Lovely, unused example of the hard leather case issued with Mk IVB flying goggles which would have contained the flip-screen, guide plates (with rivets) for attaching to the helmet, leather strip for extending the brow of the helmet, extra lenses, Everclear demisting stick and the special tool for attaching and adjusting the flip screen mechanism. None of these accessories are included - this is just the empty case. It is well marked with A-crown-M and stores ref. information for the goggles as well as the manufacturer: J&R Fleming, Ltd. Excellent condition, appears unused.

SOLD

Matched pair of WWII RAF officer's VR collar devices.

Lovely matching pair of correct WWII officer's VR (Volunteer Reserve) gilt collar devices for the service dress jacket. These were not worn after 1942 so indicate early wartime use. Lug back complete with cotter pins for attachment.

SOLD

WWII RAF sergeant's stripes.

Lovely matching pair of correct WWII sergeant's stripes for the service dress or battle dress (suits aircrew/war service dress). Appear to have never been sewn on.

SOLD

WWII RAF flight sergeant's brass crowns.

Lovely matching pair of correct WWII flight sergeant's crowns in brass for the service dress or battle dress (suits aircrew/war service dress). These were positioned immediately above the stripes to indicate the rank of flight sergeant. Perfect condition and include the cotter pins for attaching to sleeve.

SOLD

Unusual style English made US Army / AAF lieutenant's bars.

Nice matched pair of lieutenant's bars as worn by US officers. These appear to be English made by their unusual style, being flat (no bevelled edge). They are tarnished like real silver but not marked as such, so may be plated or may have a lower than sterling silver content. Great patina. Typical English style pinback.

SOLD

AAF winged prop collar device/sidecap badge.

Lovely example of a two-pice Army Air Corps winged prop collar device or sidecap badge, snowflake back, marked Amcraft, Attleboro, Mass and Acid Test. Nice patina o the gold wings, fitted with the early style backing grippers.

SOLD

AAF officer's "pink" service dress shirt.

Beautiful officer's "pink" wool service dress shirt, custom slim fit (form fit), with a felt AAF patch to the left sleeve. Excellent condition, with a few marks from storage, but no evidence of hard wear; all buttons present and nice tailor's label. The "pink" shirt is far less common than the khaki or even the chocolate version. Marked as a size 15 / 33 very much custom-tailored and labeled as "form-fit." Very well made high-quality officer's shirt.

SOLD

RAF silk inner gloves, unissued in original wax paper wrapping.

Beautiful unissued pair of RAF silk inner gloves, worn under the leather 1933 or 1941 Pattern gauntlets for comfort, but often worn alone by navigators and other crew positions in larger aircraft. Well marked with stores ref. information, broad arrow and a large size 10. Still sewn together at the wrist and wrapped in their wax paper bag. Impossible to find better. I have had a few of these over the past few months but this is the last pair.

SOLD

RCAF Type E flying gauntlets dated 1943.

Lovely pair of scarce RCAF flying gauntlets, Type E, dated 1943. Made from soft, black leather and unlined, these feature an extra long Lightning zip which runs almost the full length, to the base of the thumb, to enable them to be removed easily. Various white ink stamps inside, including the Canadian broad arrow in a "C" and initials RRB. Both gloves also retain their original linen spec. tags indicating Acme Glove Works, Ltd as the manufacturer, and a date of 1943. Very well made and very difficult to find. Some verdigris on the zips - which function perfectly and retain their pullers. Overall excellent condition.

SOLD

RAF Suits, aircrew, blouse for an Observer dated 1943.

First introduced in 1941, the RAF version of the army's "battledress" was authorized exclusively for aircrew, and only to be worn while on ops. As such, it was technically a flying suit. Fitted with metal buttons (one later wartime plastic replacement) and has pleats at the back. This example has a good 1943 dated label and is in very good overall condition, except for a small amount of white residue on the right sleeve. Not sure if it's paint or what - I have not attempted to clean or brush this off bit I think it would clean. Blouse has Canada shoulder titles and lovely Canadian made swept Observer wing.

SOLD

Absolutely mint condition, unissued RCAF Other Ranks service dress tunic with the rare, early faux French cuffs.

Quite literally the most perfect, unissued and unworn example of a WWII Other Ranks service dress tunic I have ever seen, Canadian made and labeled to a tailor in Montreal, the jacket has the early faux French cuffs (double stitching a few inches above the cuff to resemble a tuned back cuff). Faux French cuffs were phased out on RAF OR jackets in 1940 but evidently this tailor continued the practice because this jacket is dated 1942. The small white tacking stitches used by the tailor are still in place, as is the small white tacking cross-stitch on the rear vent. It has never had any insignia attached, except for the shoulder flashes/eagles (applied the wrong way around - eagles facing front instead of rear). RCAF buttons and matching detachable belt. A fantastic find! Impossible to upgrade.

SOLD

RAF Gosport receivers and tubes.

Excellent set of Gosport receivers and tubes, with Y-shaped connector. These are becoming increasingly difficult to find - especially the tubes - and are often tattered and worn condition with the fabric fraying and the metal parts bent or crushed. This set is in very good condition, the tubes are fully flexible with no signs of the fabric separating.

SOLD

AAF Type A-1 Visor for A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmet.

Green cotton covered visor, with webbing tapes and two snaps/press studs for attaching to specially modified A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmets, for aircrews flying in bright sunlight.

Well marked, excellent condition showing light use.

SOLD

AAF A-9 Flying Helmet, size Large, unissued and in its original box.

It doesn't get any better than this! Though the A-9 flight helmet used to be considered quite common (perhaps not so much these days), to find an unissued example in pristine condition is a real treat - and to find it in its original storage box is a very rare find indeed. This is a perfect example and in a size Large - both helmet and box in perfect shape, impossible to upgrade.

SOLD

AAF A-9 summer flying helmet, unissued, large size.

Unissued and unworn AAF Type A-9 flying helmets - the standard summertime issue at the tie WWII broke out. Never had any receivers installed. Honey coloured sheepskin pads inside the ears. Size Large. Impossible to upgrade. Once a very common find but not so much in this condition any more.

SOLD

RCAF Type B flying helmet with receivers and wiring.

Canadian made version of the Type B flying helmet, fitted with early Canadian receivers and US wiring of the type found in HS-18 headsets. The RCAF used a lot of US aircraft types so the receivers and wring had to be easily interchangeable so while not necessarily typical, this configuration is not particularly unusual. Nice RCAF sponge rubber cushions. Helmet is in excellent condition, superb leather and very clean chamois. No markings at all, but I would guess is size 2 or possibly 3. Displays very well.

SOLD

AAF A-9 summer flying helmet with R-14 receivers and wiring, Large size.

Beautiful A-9 flying helmet in excellent condition, the more scarce dark green cotton rather than olive drab, complete with custom/rigger made leather pouches for R-14 receivers and wiring with black PL-54 plug. Helmet has the standard hooks for the A-9 and A-10 oxygen masks, but has also had the snaps fitted for use with the A-10A or A-14 mask. Lacks the sheepskin wrap on the chin strap, which may have been purposely removed. A great example of a nicely theatre-improvised helmet from the early days of the US involvement in WWII.

SOLD

RAF aircrew torch / flashlight in good working order.

Often overlooked but vital piece of equipment to all crewmembers flying in night bombers. A sinmple aluminium torch with a brass on-off switch (and flash button) which works off 2 x D type batteries. The paint is worn but the marlings are still clearly visible (broad arrow and stores ref 5A/3391 – the prefix 5A denoting "equipment used on oard aircraft). A couple of minor surface dings but torch still works!

SOLD

AAF microphone extension lead.

Approximately 60" (150cm) rubber coated cable with a female JK-48 socket at one end for connecting to the throat mic. or mask mic. and single-pin PJ-068 connector for plugging into the cockpit for voice communications. Excellent condition.

SOLD

Scarce RAF Type H electrically-heated flying suit.

Correctly identified as Lining, Suit, Electrically Heated Type H, stores reference 22c/1012-1014. It was intended for wear under the Sidcot suit but was, on occasion, worn alone without an outer suit. This is a one-piece button fronted suit in brown rayon, fitted with a grey knit collar. the suit retains both main and secondary connector leads and plugs: the main power supply entered via the metal 3-pin plug on the wearer's right. A shorter cable close to the neck supplied the oxygen mask heater. The snap connectors at the wrists and ankles are for either 12 or 24 volt power supply, enabling use of either Type H or Type D gloves and booties (or even combinations of both). Suit is in great condition with no wear or damage and the collar has two pinhead sized holes in the back which cannot be seen. No label. Never a common item, these suits are quite difficult to find these days, especially in this condition and with all wiring and plugs intact.

ON HOLD

RARE Complete RAF escape purse for France and Italy with maps, currency, hacksaw and compass.

Extremely difficult to find these escape purses complete, especially the specialized types such as this, for aircrews operating in specific target areas. This France Italy purse includes four early silk maps (Batholomew series) sheets C and D (France and Spain), K3 and H2 (Spain and Portugal), J3 and J4 + 9J3 and 9J4 (Italy) All maps in very good condition with a couple of tiny holes and minor staining (see pictures). Also contains 1000 French Francs and 2000 Italian Lire as well as the miniature compass and a hacksaw still half encased in its cardboard wrapping.

SOLD

WWI RNAS flying goggles with complete set of light filters in wood case.

I have had perhaps 3 or 4 sets of these lovely and rather unique goggles over the last 10 years. They were specifically designed for trial by the Royal Naval Air Service as an aid in spotting enemy aircraft, shipping and submarines towards the end of WWI in various different conditions: fog, haze, oily water, dark water, bright sun etc. The set, in its original fitted wooden case, comprises a goggles mask with hinged frames and a complete set of 16 filters in different colours, together with an instruction book on what filters to use for different conditions. Superb, unissued condition.

SOLD

RAF escape button compass disguised as a trouser button.

RAF trouser button compass. This is the one-piece type made from bakelite with a magnetic "needle" concealed inside the moulding. Once removed from the garment and suspended from a length of cotton (used to sew the button in place), the button would rotate until the double dot pointed north. This type was issued to the Army (in brown bakelite) and the black version was issued to RAF and RN personnel.

SOLD

RAF/SOE trouser button escape compass, 2-part, still sewn to paper/card as issued.

2-piece escape compass, disguised as trouser buttons which when removed from the garment are balanced on top of each other to indicate magnetic north. One of the earliest designs by Clayton Hutton at MI9. One button has a tiny spike on top; the other, which is magnetized steel and brass-plated to resemble an ordinary brass button, has a small indent which sits on the spike. 2 dots point north. In excellent condition, both buttons are still attached to a piece of paper, as issued. Very rare to find in this unused condition.

SOLD

US style concealable evasion and escape compass.

US type of concealable compass. Very similar to the MI9 / SOE / RAF issued type which was also offered in escape boxes and purses to US aircrews, this type is often seen with US Army and AAF escape kits. It is slightly bigger than the MI9 version at 3/4" diameter, but is the same depth (3/16") and features a compass with the directions marked. Perfect working order with a little surface corrosion to the brass housing.

SOLD

RAF Mk IVB Flying Goggles.

A decent and displayable pair of classic Mk IVB flying goggles, a type commonly associated with Battle of Britain pilots. Three variants of the Mk IV goggles (IV, IVA and IVB) were all introduced together in June, 1940, with the IVB being deemed the best of the three and the only one to remain in production until superseded by the Mk VII in 1941. This is a nice early set, finished in brown lacquer over the brass. A few dings, surface wear and corrosion to the frames, though they retain their shape well. Lenses are in great condition, leather is also very good, sponge pads are shot—as usual. Large loops retain their springiness, the right one has a couple of worn spots on the fabric covering (where it has rubbed against the brass guide) but that does not detract from their overall appearance. Well marked with A-crown-M and stores ref. information on the rear strap. Not the best pair but certainly not the worst and priced fairly. These look very good on a Type B or Type C helmet.

SOLD

RAF Irvin Jacket collar strap.

One of those hard-to-find accessories needed to complete any Irvin jacket. The collar strap (which is very similar to the US strap for the B-7 goggles) attaches to the two "eyes" on the underside of the jacket's collar, and by pulling it up and over the head, keeps the collar standing up to eliminate cold and drafts. Primarily intended for use in pre-war open cockpit aircraft, it was still fitted on Irvins issued throughout the war (much to the delight of turret gunners, and anyone else in drafty crew positions) but is often missing. Clean black elastic with light oxidation to the hooks and buckle, retains some elasticity and is not all stretched out.

SOLD

RAF Mk 2A jet flying helmet. Needs some work but 90% complete.

Scarce and ever popular Mk 2A jet flying helmet as used in Lightnings and Phantoms in the 1960s (as wells as, notably, by the Red Arrows and other aerobatic teams). The helmet is in decent condition, with obvious signs of use and surface wear/scrapes and cracks to the paint. Nice early blue trim and leather lining is in good condition. Most importantly, the visor mechanism works perfectly, and the correct visor is present but detached (needs mounting screws). Communications unit also present but detached, just lacks the earcups/sounders. This could be reassembled as is or the shell restored to make a superb helmet.

SOLD

USAF Astronaut qualification wings in sterling silver.

US Air Force Astronaut wings, standard, full size 3" (8cm) marked sterling on the back. One of the rarest and most proudly worn badges of the modern era, this was introduced in 1963 and features a shooting star in a ring superimposed on the "radiator" shield of the standard pilot wing. Clutrch back, excellent condition.

SOLD

Scarce RAF/Air Ministry (NOT RCAF) Mk III flying goggles dated 1939.

First class example of what is now becoming a rare item. The Mk III goggles are considerably more scarce than the Mk IIIa (the difference being the wider leather cushions. Also not to be confused with the comparatively common Canadian made version. This pair is in excellent shape. The upper leather cushions are slightly stiff but the lower end and the velvet pads are still nice and soft. Leather is excellent and sprung elastic is perfect, with no broken springs. Strap is well marked with AM nomenclature and a date of 39. Lenses with minor surface scratching and frames with 95% of their burnised finish. Very light evidence of wear and difficult to upgrade.

SOLD

Superb and rare RAF wartime dated beret in unissued condition with "economy" version of badge.

Absolutely superb RAF other ranks beret, dated 1945 and fitted with the wartime economy version of the cap badge in black bakelite/plastic. Nice clear markings inside with maker, date and WD arrow stamp. Usually these berets have indications of moth or insect damage, this one is exceptional in having absolutely no wear or damage. Two piece construction with a seam around the crown and at the back; diagonal quilted cotton lining with waterproof layer in between and leather edge. Impossible to upgrade.

SOLD

AAF A-9 flying helmet with AAF patch sewn to front.

Very good, gently worn A-9 helmet with a genuine AAF patch sewn to the front (partially covering a very large AAF ink stamp). Size medium but actually fits a standard male styrofoam display head perfectly - seems larger than the run-of-the-mill A-9.

SOLD

RAF / MI9 escape compass.

The standard escape compass issued to all RAF aircrews, developed early in the war by Clayton Hutto at MI9 and designed for easy concealment. One was also issued with every escape purse and escape box as well as POW gift parcels where it was hidden in shaving brushes, cigarette lighters and other "everyday" items. This is the second version with a "star" pointer in a brass case. Excellent condition and works perfectly. Approx. 0.5 in diameter.

SOLD

WWII RAF Air Gunner's "sweetheart" badge in silver.

Lovely, highly detailed Air Gunner's badge made from silver (and marked as such) with light blue enamelling in the lettering and red in the wreath. Measures 2" (5cm) across with a good pin back. Lovely example.

SOLD

1940s Private purchase watchstrap for a RAF issue watch.

1940s "Bonklip" nickel-plated watch band/bracelet which is the exact correct size (16mm) for the standard RAF or FAA issue watches. Adjustable (not spring-loaded). This watch band came on a RAF issue Mk VII wristwatch many years ago and I cam across it recently. TRhe perfect period band for your RAF timepiece.

SOLD