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SALES February 2020

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RAF Type G oxygen mask with type 48 microphone.

 

Good, used example of a RAF Type G oxygen mask in green/grey rubber with type 48 microphone (short cord with plug for internally wired C, D and E helmets). Rubber is very good, with minor cracks around nosewire lugs, but nosewire still in place and holding up well.  Microphone has some paint loss but no dings or damage. Suede lining to mask shows use but all there. No hardening, or serious splits, or stickiness to rubber which is holding up well. A good example.

 

SOLD

Luftwaffe Model 306 2-piece flying goggles with field-modified strap.

 

Luftwaffe Model 306 Flying Goggles, with large, curved glass lenses, grey painted frames with double screw adjustment at bridge and dark grey rubber cushions. Frames are  dated 1942. Cushions are in perfect shape if slightly dusty/grubby. The standard strap as issued has been replaced with the strap from the emergency/survival goggles carried in the Channel suit, so perhaps the original strap broke and was replaced in the field? I have seen this arrangement on one or two other pairs of LW goggles, so it may have been standard practice. Very slight frayed area on edge of strap, otherwise goggles are in very good condition.

SOLD

RAF Other Ranks Service Dress trousers, 1940 dated in great condition.

Nearly impossible to find! An excellent pair of RAF other ranks Service Dress uniform trousers retaining their 1940 dated issue label. Waist 32-33" and height 5'7" - 5'8" with 30.5" leg, they are also a good size! I can find 2 very tiny moth nips, nothing more. All correct brass buttons are present. A very rare find because these were almost all worn after the war until they wore out. Perfect for a Battle of Britain Sergeant Pilot display.

 

SOLD

Luftwaffe fighter pilot's gloves in grey leather with short fleece lining. 

 

One of the most sought after items of German flying clothing is these superb Nappa leather short gloves, purchased privately by officers in elite squadrons. This pair is in fabulous condition, showing very light wear. Superb leather and a short fleece lining with an embroidered size label indicating 8.5, the gloves have a very short gauntlet and a strap with snap fastening. 

 

SOLD

RARE RAAF survival item: Complete personal fishing kit.

 

Extremely rare Royal Australian Air Force survival item, carried by pilots and aircrews flying over the Pacific Ocean as well as the jungles of the Far East theatre. Comprises a OD green canvas pouch containing a roll of sturdy fishing line attached to a spectacular lure with all feathers intact, plus a float attached to a weight with a selection of hooks attached. In exceptional condition and complete - the only one of these I have ever seen and from an old, established collection. Pouch is marked RAAF  with 27Q Stores Ref. code (ink has bled slightly).

SOLD

RCAF Mk III Flying Goggles dated 1940.

Nice example of a pair of Canadian marked Mk III flying goggles, with large padded surrounds, acetate lenses and sprung fabric and leather strap. Goggles are in very good condition, although the acetate lenses are slightly distorted from age. Frames are excellent, leather is very good and strap has no issues, springs are perfect. Strap is clearly marked with stores ref. information and date of 1940. Lenses could be replaced if desired, although they display just fine as is (have not shrunk like so many!). Both stoppers are nicely in place.

 

SOLD

Extremely RARE RAF Type D oxygen mask tube with Bayonet Connector.

5' length of black rubber tubing as fitted to later RAF Type D oxygen masks and mask extensions, fitted with a Type IIIB Bayonet Union connector. The tubing is correct and appears original. It has stiffened slightly with age but remains flexible and shows no damage or cracking. It is impossible to say with 100% certainty that this is the original tubing, but its size, length and overall condition are correct. It does not show any signs of binding at either end, which, from photographic evidence, was also common practice among aircrews, despite AM orders to double bind with linen thread. Early mask tubes also had a braided fabric covering intended to belay freezing, but this was found redundant and eliminated after late 1940 - hence the plain black rubber tubing. Connector is Air Ministry marked and dated1939. A rare item to complete a D mask display.

SOLD

Luftwaffe Flight Navigation Chart, daytime use, Southern Europe including France, Spain, Italy.

 

Rare Luftwaffe flight navigation chart of Southern Europe covering France, Spain, Italy and North Africa printed on heavy rubberized linen. This example on a white background, for daytime use (nighttime charts were printed with a bright yellow background for use under dimmed cockpit lights). Very large size (approx. 40" x 34") and in excellent condition, single sided and a little grubby on the back, but no wear or damage. Dated 6.6.41. An excellent example.

SOLD

Rare and interesting RAF Survival booklet, "The Jungle Hiker" printed in India, April 1945.

This contains information as presented in the standard survival booklets, specifically tailored to airmen who might find themselves shot down in the jungle of Malaya and the East Indies. The text includes descriptions and illustrations of wildlife on land and in the water, plants that are safe to eat, how to build a shelter, first aid, etc. liberally sprinkled with Pilot Officer Prune style cartoons by J.D. Linkleter. 166-pages, 4.75" x 6.75" (120mm x 170mm) printed in 3 colours: black green and orange with a tipped in fold-out page at the beginning in black, blue and yellow. Forward by Air Marshal A. Durston, Commanding 222 Group, Indian Ocean. Very good condition, a bit grubby and slightly bent corners. Never seen this one before.

SOLD

Scarce RNZAF officer's  Service Dress tunic to a pilot / Squadron Leader.

 

Another scarce Commonwealth uniform item. This RNZAF service dress tunic features a superb pair of heavily padded pilot wings which appear to be Canadian made (from the red silk in the crown) and medal ribbons which include the 39-45 star, Air Crew Europe Star with rosette for France and Germany clasp, victory and defence medals. It has NZ marked buttons and correct officer's New Zealand shoulder tabs, and is in overall excellent condition with no damage and very little wear. The extra lace for Squadron Leader was evidently added following promotion because it shows less fading than the wider bands. Sadly there is no ID inside the tunic, nor any evidence of a tag, so cannot be identified, but is a lovely example of  a scarce an authentic wartime tunic.

SOLD​

RARE pre-WWII prototype or pre-production AAF Type B-1 flight pants.

 

Superb and very rare B-1 flight pants - much less common than the A-3 (worn with the B-3 jacket) yet standard issue at the beginning of WWII. These pants are labeled by embossing directly into the leather on the back at the waist:

Type B-1 PT. NO. 37K5509 MFG. SAAD. Medium.

Nice crisp emboss. SAAD stands for San Antonio Air Depot where a lot of prototype flight clothing was produced. The part number code of 37K might indicate 1937 as year of manufacture. Though they do carry the type designation of B-1, they do not have the Air Corps property stamp or nomenclature suggesting these were a pre-production example which were very likeky tested at one of the AAF bases in San Antonio. These pants are in excellent condition, the shearling is soft and pliable, all Talon zips work fine. There is a small hole, 10mm across, in the crotch area towards the back, which is the only place that shows any wear at all. No rot, no drying, no tears. Built in braces / suspenders and a chain hanger at the waist 

SOLD

Unissued / unworn yellow leather USN B-3A flying gloves.

Identical to wartime issue, these popular gloves continued in use with both the USAF and USN into the 1950s. This pair dates from the Korean War era, having a MIL spec serial number. Soft yellow leather gloves are still tacked together as issued, with USN ink stamp to back of both hands and nomenclature ink stamped inside both gloves. Excellent example.

SOLD

RARE unissued USN / USMC TH-37 telephone receivers and cord,  plus extension cord, in box.

Extremely difficult to source! In as-new condition, set of TH-37 receivers with rubber wiring cord and extension cord for attaching to US Navy / US Marine Corps flying helmet Type M-450 or NAF 1092. Still in original box with label. Box shows some wear and has been repaired with tape but is solid and intact.

SOLD

RARE unissued AAF T-44A wiring loom with microphone and plug, in original box.

Extremely rare - especially in such fine condition! As-new T-44A wiring assembly, comprising maroon cord with MC-1 microphone, bell-shaped plug and jack for connecting to receivers from helmet - in original card box with instruction sheet! Instructions state this was for use in the A-8B, A-9, A-10 and A-10  Revised oxygen mask, so manufacture must be pre1944 when the A-10A and A-14 became the standard issue (and in which we see these more commonly installed). A wonderful find - impossible to upgrade. 

SOLD

AAF crew communications push-to-talk switch assembly and cord, Type CD-318-A unissued in original packaging.

Impossible to find a better example! This push=to-talk switch assembly is still held together with original tape, packed in waterproof wrapping with silica and in its original box. Includes the switch box, cord and plug plus jack for attaching to mask or throat microphone, and the leather neck strap which is usually missing. Everything is well marked and dated march or April 1945. These were worn by most crew positions on bomber aircraft.  A very rare find.

 

SOLD

AAF Type A-9 Oxygen Mask in excellent condition.

 

Very hard to find nowadays, especially in this condition.  The rubber is in perfect condition, soft and pliable with all straps intact. Mask is dated 1/42 so a nice early wartime piece.  No nosewire - doesn't appear to have ever been fitted (they were optional depending on if needed and invariably caused the rubber to rot over time, so not being fitted has saved this mask!).  Correct hose also in excellent shape. A real find.

 

SOLD

Good example of a Luftwaffe model FK-34 summer weight flying helmet made without provision for electronic communications.

 

Used but very good condition. The FK-34 was most often worn by single seat fighter pilots in the early days of WWII and before during the Blitzkieg of Europe, though it was also worn in crew positions where written or other non-electronic means of communication were used. This example has an unusual label indicating manufacture by Schultz & Co. of Danzig and is labeled a size 55, but seems larger and fits a male feature display head well.  The tan "salt and pepper" fabric is clean with no damage, leather straps are good and flexible and satin lining is clean. Retains all hooks for attaching a 3-strap oxygen mask. A decent helmet.

SOLD

Good example of a Luftwaffe model K-33 winter weight flying helmet made without provision for electronic communications.

 

Used but very good condition. The K-33, like its summer counterpart, was most often worn by single seat fighter pilots in the early days of WWII and before during the Blitzkieg of Europe, though it was also worn in crew positions where written or other non-electronic means of communication were used. This example is labeled a size 57 and made by Striegel & Wagner. It is a good size and  fits a male feature display head well.  The dark brown leather is clean with no damage,  straps are good and flexible and sheepskin lining is clean. Retains all hooks for attaching a 3-strap oxygen mask. A decent helmet.

SOLD

RAF Sea Boot Socks.

 

Quite rare to find these days. Heavy, cream coloured wool socks worn over the uniform socks inside the flying boots for extra warmth. Show use and a couple of small holes (though none in the foot area) and retain partial ink stamped markings: the broad arrow is visible on both, and part of the maker's name and date is visible on one (looks like it might be 1941) and what also looks like size 11. Markings look the same but I would say one sock is perhaps a little shorter than the other, but they came as a pair (came with a pair of 36 pattern boots previously sold).

SOLD

INCREDIBLY RARE RAF Type E Microphone Carrier Mask, complete with strap, wiring loom, receivers and RARE microphone adaptor.

 

One of the rarest items of headgear used by RAF aircrews; considerably more scarce than the Type D oxygen mask! This Type E Microphone Mask/microphone carrier is complete and in excellent condition. Made of khaki cotton drill and lined with linen, it has internal wire "shapers" to mould to the face. Fitted with the rare Type 54 adaptor to install the Type 26 microphone and wiring loom complete with receivers, cord and plug as well as its complete strap with two Bennett buckles and including the leather connector at the back. Well marked with A-crown-M Air Ministry mark and stores ref. information plus inspection stamps. Small stained area on strap, but no damage. The Type 54 rubber adaptor has hardened in position which is typical, with very slight loss at edge in the 1-2 o'clock position (less than 1mm and barely shows). Note: helmet is NOT included but is shown for display. An incredibly rare item.

SOLD

1941 Pattern Life Jacket  floating light, unissued and in original box.

 

An unissued and unused example of the floating light for the 1941 pattern life vest, still in its original box as manufactured by General Electric Co. of England. As is so often the case, the rubber coating on the wires has hardened and is beginning to crack and shed, although the wiring is still secured by its original rubber band! No dings or dents and bulb is intact. Casing is blue/green and has a nice clear raised marking of the broad arrow and the Air Ministry stores. ref. number 5A/2728. These are getting much harder to find to complete the Mae West.

SOLD

RARE RAF Battle of Britain Ops Room aircraft plotting indicators (set of 3).

 

A small quantity of extremely rare and historic ops room table/chart markers recently surfaced and were quickly devoured by collectors: Offered here are small plastic pointers which were used on the large scale table top charts to mark the position of approaching aircraft. I have one of each colour: red,  blue and yellow, which corresponded to the coloured triangles on the ops rom clock, denoting the time in the combat zone as well as the direction of flight. Will sell separately but prefer to offer as a set first.

SOLD

RAF Type 48 microphone for the Type E, E* and G oxygen mask, unissued in box.

Box shows some external wear, microphone is in perfect condition, unissued and unused. Lovely early example with clear A-crown-M Air Ministry markings,  99% original paint, rubber pliable and cable clean and undamaged.

SOLD

AAF pilot / aircrew shoulder holster for the Colt M-1911 semi-automatic pistol. 

 

Lovely used-but-not-abused example of the Colt .45 M-1911 

shoulder holster by Enger-Kress. Undated but unmistakably WWII military issue by its markings. Leather is well seasoned and in great shape with some verdigris on the metal fittings. Has what appears to be a serial number painted on the inside of the pistol compartment.

 

SOLD

 

Incredible collection of Eagle Squadron autographs in one First Edition book.

 

The Eagle Squadrons by Vern Haugland, first edition, first printing, published 1979, and signed by the author and 28 of the Eagle Squadron pilots who were alive at the time. Signatures include Eric Doorly, Reede Tilly, Art Roscoe and many more (please study the photographs). This collection is of course impossible to repeat since almost all are now sadly gone. Book is also dedicated to a well known and high profile collector and researcher by the author. Book is in very good condition with very slight wear. A quite fantastic collection of Eagle Squadron signatures.

SOLD

Wonderful battle worn RAF Type B flying helmet by Wareings, dated 1937.

This is one of those "if only they could talk" helmets (in many ways, it does speak!). Lovely battle worn Type B helmet which is actually in very good condition. The leather is soft and pliable; the chamois lining is intact though deeply soiled with hair oil. There are a few surface nicks and scratches to the leather suggesting it was definitely in some scrapes, but no real damage, no tears or holes, and no peeling or rotting. It has the attachment plate for Mk V spectacles on the left hand side, and clear evidence of where a matching plate was sewn on the opposite side, now missing (small stitch holes remain). This could easily be replaced if desired. Both Bennett buckles retain their leather covering; both zips work perfectly and retain their leather pullers. Chin strap lacks the metal tip. Bakelite receiver holders are present inside the ear cups, but have been crushed and though substantially complete have a few cracks and broken areas. I daresay receivers could be installed regardless. I have installed a NOS set of sponge pads to hold the shape of the cups. Helmet is a size 2 (medium) but generously fits o a standard male feature head. This is a great display helmet with great character and a meaningful history which we will sadly never know.  If you like everything in mint condition, this is not for you. If you like flying kit in good condition that was "there" - you won't find a better example.

SOLD

Scarce Fleet Air Arm tropical Type D flying helmet, second pattern, c.1944.

 

Another excellent example of a helmet that definitely saw use! This is the Fleet Air Arm version of the Type D, tropical flying helmet, made from tan cotton twill, lined with satin and having rubber receiver housings incorporating entry for Gosport tubes in addition to radio receivers - a requisite of the Navy to allow inter-crew communication while maintaining radio silence. Helmet is overall grubby, inside and out, but shows no damage (other than a couple of the snaps having pulled through the first layer of the lining inside - which in no way affects the integrity of the helmet). This is the later version, designed for internal wiring, but none is fitted (this may have been removed or the helmet may have been used with Gosport tubes only). Nice clear broad arrow ink stamp and nomenclature  on the side - stores ref 22C/NIV (meaning Not In Vocabulary - which is how all naval issue flying kit was referenced since it was not available to the RAF). Leather is good and I have installed a pair of NOS sponge pads to help retain the shape. The RN FAA version of the Type D helmet is quite scarce and rarely found.

SOLD

RAF Stopwatch Mk IIIA in great condition and good working order.

 

Approx. 5cm (2") diameter stopwatch for aircraft use, such as timing for navigation and on bombing runs. Stem winding, will run for  8-hours from fully wound.  White metal  case with white dial, blued hands and Arabic numerals and subsidiary minutes dial. Manufactured by Smiths Clocks and broad arrow marked on the dial. Engraved with  A.M. 6B/221 and 1943 date code to the rear (serial number and date code of 74197/43 is faint but can be clearly seen - it just resists being photographed!). Watch is in perfect working order,  very clean - perhaps the best of its type I have seen.

SOLD

RAF Jacket, Other Airman's, with rank of Flight Sergeant (Navigator), dated 1941 with original insignia and belt.

Beautiful example of a jacket, other ranks, worn for all duties, both on the ground and in the air, prior to the introduction of the "Suits, Aircrew" (battledress). This is known as the "simplified" pattern, with pleated, flapped upper pockets but plain lower pockets without buttons. Blue grey wool serge, with correct pattern sergeant's stripes and flight sergeant's crowns, embroidered eagles to the upper shoulder and Navigator brevet/half-wing to left front. Correct brass buttons, correct matching detachable belt. In great condition (I can find one very tiny moth nip on the back of the collar). Great label inside with 1941 date, so a nice early piece which displays well. 

SOLD

RAF internally wired (second pattern) Type D summer flying helmet.

 

A beautiful example of the dessert issue summer flying helmet, fully wired with correct Type 32 receivers, cord and plug. Tan cotton shell with satin lining, chamois internal donuts and elastic chin strap. Good rubber ear cups. Shows very light use and no wear. Size 2 (Medium). These helmets replaced the Type A cork "pith" helmets, officially for wear east of Malta, though they were used more extensively and were also popular with US aviators when they could get hold of one.

SOLD

RAF Mk II Ration Tin 27P/7 for survival kits and Beadon Suit. 

 

Standard issue in all dinghy survival kits as well as the jungle and Arctic survival packs and the Beadon suit. Simple tin which was acked solid with barley sugar sweets, energy tablets, chewing gum and the infamous malted milk tablets. Instructions printed on the inside of the lid and contents printed on the back. Very good condition, no damage and ony light surface abrasion, with rubber sealing ring still intact inside rim of lid. No contents.

SOLD

Excellent pair of AAF MX-41/AR receiver cups for ANB-H-1 receivers.

 

Not  a perfect matching pair, but very close (one marked PR and the other CW). Hard rubber outers with soft sponge rubber pads fused together. Nice and flexible. Were fitted on the HB-7 headset or sometimes sewn to flying helmet.

SOLD

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force flying helmet. 

A displayable example of the reddish brown leather flying helmet worn by Japanese Army Air Force aviators. The leather is in fair condition, if a little dry, but the interior fur lining has moulted. The leather star has been removed from the front. The rear tightening strap appears complete (doesn't look like its been cut) but seems short? It may be snagged inside between the outer leather and the lining. There is no damage to the helmet and the leather is OK, if a little stiff, but I would describe it as fair condition overall based on these flaws. It will display fine as is or could be restored, and is priced accordingly. 

SOLD

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