Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
SALES February 2021
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Early wartime Italian pilot badge in miniature.
Absolutely superb Italian fascist pilot badge in miniature. 2" (5cm) across. Not sure if this was for dress, shirt wear or a sweetheart piece, but it is incredibly detailed and of the highest quality. Early wartime with both the royal crown and the fascist bundle.
SOLD
RAF 1942 dated 20mm aircraft cannon shell projectile
Just the "business end" (inert) of a 20mm cannon shell as fired from most RAF fighters after 1940-41. 20mm diameter and 18.5cm (3.25") in length. Blackened solid steel with a brass collar. Well-marked H.W.B. Co. LOT - 51338-6 and dated 8-1942. Surface rubbed with a few nicks from storage but intact. The empty shells are easy to find – the projectiles are not common.
SOLD
USN M-592 Survival Back Pack with 90% contents.
Very rare to find in such complete and original condition! A superb M-592 US Navy Survival back pad with 90% of its original contents including the instruction book which includes a list of components. Included are: two sided rain poncho (dark blue/yellow); gloves; mosquito net (in paper envelope); emergency signaling mirror; burning glass (in paper envelope); sunburn cream; cotton line; salt tablets; match safe with compass in lid; rations; drinking water; very projectile launcher; whistle; sharpening stone and machete. As far as I can tell, the only items missing are the knife, oil can and cartridges for the projectile launcher. I have the knife listed elsewhere (from a separate consignor). All items are in very good condition, many still in their paper wrapping (water tins are slightly dented as is usually the case).
SOLD
RAF post-war uniform insignia, job lot of 25 pieces.
What you see is what you get! Job lot of 25 pieces of post-war RAF insignia and badges (includes some duplicates and one RCAF mess dress wing). A bargain for any collector at any level or why not jump-start a new collection of post-war insignia with this lot!
SOLD
RAAF 1936 Pattern flying boots by Bedggood in brown leather.
Lovely pair of Australian made 1936 pattern flying boots by Bedggood of Melbourne, Australia in brown leather. Bedggod were know for the very high quality and it is believed these brown leather boots were specifically made under contract to the USAAF serving in the Far East, CBI etc. This pair is in exceptional condition, showing very little use or wear. No wear or moulting to the sheepskin fleece lining and the original soles and heels showing very little wear. The right heel has minor damage (a small chunk of rubber missing) which does not show when displayed. Brown leather uppers are excellent with only light surface scuffing that would easily polish up. Small size (5UK / 6US) but in this condition, these are not for wearing. Fighter pilots typically were smaller build anyway. An outstanding example of a scarce pattern pair of flying boots.
SOLD
Lovely pair of scarce RAF Mosquito boots with Battle of Britain history.
Superb pair of green suede Mosquito boots, as issued primarily to ground crews but often grabbed by pilots in desert and tropical regions for flying duties. This pair in great condition, showing some use but no wear or damage and in a great size 10 UK (11US). Well marked with the Air Ministry A-crown-M stamp and named inside to Debenham and obtained by previous owner directly from the family of Kenneth Barry Lemphere Debenham who flew with 151 sq. in the Battle of Britain. He was shot down, badly burned and became a member of the guinea pig club, returning to duty in Italy in 1943 and commanding 126 sq. He was killed in December 1943. Note instead of tie tapes, these boots are secured with long ropes.
SOLD
Excellent pair of RAF Type D flying gauntlets, size 9.5.
Superb condition, probably unissued/unworn and as near to a matching pair as you are likely to find! Both have different labels (from different factories) but both are clearly Air Ministry marked and the same size. Soft leather with faux fur/fleece lining. Nicest pair i have seen in many years. Could be worn alone or with the Type D electrically heated inserts.
SOLD
Scarce RAF Mk VI anti-glare spectacles by Polaroid.
Excellent pair of Mk VI anti-glare spectacles, still with their original cardboard box with its paper insert sheet. Issued primarily to Coastal Command pilots and crews – which included a number of fighter squadrons – the spectacles provided enhanced visibility through haze over water. This pair is in remarkable condition, with perfect frames, clean chamois at the nose, elastic that still stretches perfectly and showing only the lightest delamination around the edges of the glass lenses. Box has been written on with a name which may be period or may be later, but does not detract. A fine pair of what were never common spectacles and are becoming much harder to find these days.
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RAF 1941 Pattern Sidcot Suit with collar.
The last variation of the Sidcot suit, the 1941 Pattern, differed from the 1940 pattern only in that it was electrically wired to carry current to the extremities: through electrically-heated bootees and gloves. The wiring was often faulty and shorted out if it got wet so was often removed, as is the case with this suit. All wiring and most of the connectors have been removed. The main zip has several teeth missing, though it can be made to function for display. Leg and sleeve zips are fine although they could do with cleaning to remove the surface oxidation for smoother running. One side entry pocket zip is broken. It has 3 medium sized holes in the upper back which could be patched but honestly wouldn't show if displayed or worn with a mae west. It retains its collar which is in very good condition and bears a number, possibly an aircraft serial. Good label inside. Overall this is a good, used combat veteran that could be displayed as is or would make a good restoration project. The fabric is strong and slightly grubby but apart from faults mentioned has no damage. Priced accordingly.
SOLD
Early wartime RAF escape/evasion map on silk: K1/K2, southern Greece, Crete, Libya and North Africa – pristine condition.
Rare early wartime escape map carried by RAF pilots and aircrews flying over the southern Mediterranean, from Crete including Libya, Tobruk, and the Sahara regions. This would have been issued 1941 and 42 when the war in North Africa was at its height. Titled K1 and K2, this map was printed in just 3 colours: black, red and green, and based on vintage maps drawn up by John Batholomew. Printed in a miniscule scale of 1:6,000,000 or 1" to 94.7 English miles, it was very difficult to read such small print, but gave the downed airman a rough idea of wher he was and how to make his way back. This example is in pristine, unused condition, impossible to upgrade.
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Luftwaffe Funeral Card and photo grouping to a Battle of Britain pilot with history and research.
Funeral card and 2 additional photographs, plus lots of research, to Luftwaffe pilot Wilhelm Schwarze, who was killed in the Battle of Britain. It includes his original Funeral Card" with portrait plus one other studio portrait and another pre-war photo of him in civilian clothes with a girl - perhaps his Fraülein or his sister. A sad reminder of the losses of young men suffered by both sides in the war.
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AAF A-11 Flying Helmet with snaps for attaching Type A-1 visor.
Scarce variation of the A-11 helmet, having snaps/press-studs mounted on both ear cups for attaching the A-1 visor. Size large and overall in very good condition, nice soft leather and clean chamois lining, with a crisp silver AAF stamp to the outside and a good label inside to The Selby Shoe Company. Second model of the A-11 with 4 snaps eithrr side for attaching the oxygen mask. Not a common variant.
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WWII Canadian made RAF pilot wing.
Issued to RAF pilots who qualified in Canada through the Empire Flying Training Schools. Full size, flat pilot wing, silk embroidered on wool base with cotton backing. Some minor loss to wool, otherwise unused. A lovely example.
SOLD
USN M-592 Survival Kit Backpack.
Lovely early example of the US Navy M-592 Emergency Survival Kit Backpack, worn as a back cushion under the seat type parachute primarily by fighter pilots flying in jungle and tropical areas. Pack is in excellent condition, with all compartments and straps in place - no contents. Made from heavy green waterpoofed canvas rather than the more commonly seen "battleship" grey oilcloth. This example appears to be unissued judging by the condition. Talon zip closes from both ends and works perfectly. Canvas straps are clean. Getting to be a difficult item to find.
SOLD
WWII US Navy QAS (Quick Attach Seat) type parachute harness with back pad/cushion, ID'd to F-4U Corsair Squadron VF-97.
An excellent example of the standard USN fighter pilot's seat parachute harness Type QAS, to which the pack clipped once in the aircraft. Off-white webbing is in excellent condition, with one small area of wear just at the very edge (hardly shows, see pictures) and a tag with VF-97 printed on the left shoulder. Cushion is dated 1942. All hooks and clips in great shape, no corrosion or damage, light soiling to cushion but no wear or damage.
SOLD
Cold War British/NATO Paratrooper helmet with burlap cover plus netting.
Post WWII British or NATO paratrooper helmet, based on the British Mk III issued in 1944 with webbing and leather chin strap, but riveted to the helmet shell instead of attached with screws. Sand coloured finish with plenty of scratches but no dents or damage that I can see. Lacks any kind of liner, but it does included its original matching net cover and also a burlap/hessian sacking cover, together with a wide rubber band to secure these in place. Rubber has some holes. Could be used for re-enacting or for building a decent mock up of a wartime paratrooper for display.
SOLD
AAF Type A-2 jacket with 409th Bomb Squadron patch, large size.
Original horsehide A-2 jacket in overall very good condition, the leather very good, with some scuffing, but would benefit greatly from an application of leather dressing. Original lining, though spec. tag has been removed the AN acceptance mark is still present. Original cuffs and waistband with a few snags and pulls but nothing major. Original Conmar zip works great. Jacket has a 409th Bomb Squadron patch which has been glued to the front. I do not know if glueing was a common practice – I have not seen it done before – but it is a stiff, hard glue so could be contemporary. I am dubious about the patch. At first glance I thought it was painted, but it seems to be a decal or printed on aircraft fabric and then heavily doped or varnished before being glued on so it's possible it was done by a rigger. If anyone can provide any further insight, I'd be grateful. The 409th BS (93rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force) flew B-24 heavy bombers and was famous for participating in the raids on the oil refineries in Ploesti, among others. The jacket has stitch holes above the patch where a name tag has been removed and on both shoulders where rank insignia has also been removed. The biggest plus of this jacket, besides its overall good condition, is the size, which I would estimate is 44-46. This is a good, wearable jacket.
SOLD
RAF 1943 Pattern Flying/Escape Boots named twice.
Very good used pair of 1943 Pattern Flying / Escape Boots. lack suede upper section with good working Air Ministry marked Lightning zips, black leather shoe section with original laces. Boots have had a rubber soles and heels added - this might be a period modification, it was not an uncommon practice for crews wearing them inside aircraft with metal floors for better traction. Some minor scuffing to leather and a worn spot inside the fleece lining of one boot but overall very good pair. Named twice inside: to A. Sheehan which appears to be crossed out and another name written alongside which is difficult to make out but could be F/O Rolph. Worth researching.
SOLD
RAF Type G Oxygen Mask in very good condition.
Very good example of the Type G mask. Clean grey rubber in supple and pliable condition, with light creasing and surface stress cracks around the nosewire lugs and minor splits on the lower edge at the joints of the grey suede lining. Retaining great shape as well as strength and integrity of the rubber. Good clean harness retains much elasticity. Fitted with a nice Air Ministry marked Type 48 microphone with cord and plug. Well above average condition.
SOLD
RARE RAF Type E / E* oxygen mask narrow tube with inlet pipe and circlip.
Missing from many Type E and E* oxygen masks! The correct original breathing tube, narrower than the later types often found and with a longer flange /sleeve at the mask end than used on the G mask (to fit the aluminium inlet pipe/valve). Inlet valve assembly is included - fitted and secured with the correct steel sprung circlip. Also includes a nicely Air Ministry marked crocodile clip, though the tip of one side of the clip has broken off (doesn't affect function). Tube has many stress cracks from age and storage, noticeably at the mask end and in the folds or the corrugation, but is strong and pliable with no breaks and displays just fine.
SOLD
RAF Type E* Oxygen Mask harness.
Another very hard to find accessory, a complete harness assembly for the Type E* oxygen mask. It comprises the elastic webbing with some elasticity and leather tab fitted with 3 snaps; leather lop to secure funnel of mask; ring and nut/bolt for securing microphone and all metal hook and bridge for attaching to hook on helmet. In excellent condition ready to install.
SOLD
RAF Type G Oxygen Mask harness.
Another very hard to find accessory, a complete harness assembly for the Type G oxygen mask. Elastic webbing with some elasticity and leather tab fitted with 2 snaps; ring with nut/bolt for securing microphone and metal bridge for hooking onto side of helmet. In excellent condition ready to install.
SOLD
RAF Flying Clothing Card and other documentation to a Squadron Leader.
Always a nice paper accessory, the Flying Clothing Card was issued to all aircrew and retained as documentation of all flying kit drawn from stores which was intended to be returned (or the individual could be charged for missing items). This example is dated 1940 and apparently belonged to an officer who did not draw much flying kit (perhaps he provided his own commercially purchased items?) but did draw gas masks, steel helmet and several pistols. Very interesting! Comes with "taking over certificates" indicating command roles, and medal entitlement paperwork named to same officer. He was based at RAF Swanton Morley in East Anglia with Bomber Command.
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RARE WWII P.O.W. postcard with possible underlying message?
P.O.W. items of a personal nature rarely seem to surface in the collecting world, but here is a postcard, written in pencil and sent from a prisoner in Stammlager VIIIB to his family in Swansea. Very poignant - not least because it was written in may 1943 but evidently did not leave Germany until 1944. One also has to wonder if there is some kind of coded message contained - since it is addressed to "Swansea, England" which would probably escape the attention of a German censor - yet anyone in the UK would know that Swansea is not in England, but in Wales.
SOLD
Full size WWII RCAF Pilot Wing.
Excellent WWII period Canadian made RCAF pilot wing brevet, unpadded. Cream silk machine embroidered with brown silk wreath and red silk filled crown on black wool background. Very clean with no wear. A superb original example.
SOLD
Pre-WWII RAF officer's full dress belt with sword hanger.
Excellent example of the pre-WWII full dress belt and sword hanger, worn with the full dress uniform for ceremonial occasions - a practice which stopped immediately prior to war breaking out. Black patent leather with gold bullion and brocade with all hangers, straps and clips present. Gilded belt buckle featuring the eagle and King's crown. Maker marked to Hobson and Sons of London.
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WWII RAF officer's privately purchased top coat/raincoat.
Officers always supplemented their uniforms with privately purchased accessories and additional clothing items supplied by their tailor or department store of choice. Provided these items complied with dress regulations and uniform standards, they were afforded a fair amount of leeway. This is a raincoat, or topcoat, of excellent quality, in RAF blue bearing the trade name "Croydon" with a logo of an aircraft. Croydon being synonymous with aviation and especially the RAF in the 1930s was a great brand. This coat is in very good condition, with plenty of wear evident, mainly to the inside, but no damage or holes that I can find. Lined with satin it includes the all-too-often-missing original belt. Lining has wear and some separated seams, and slits have been cut to allow access to the trouser pockets through the outside pockets of the coat. A scarce item.
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RAF full dress uniform shoulder boards circa 1920.
For wear only by officers and only on the full dress uniform, this superb set of shoulder boards features gold wire embroidered eagles (left and right facing) with rank lace indicating a Flight Lieutenant. Includes gilt RAF buttons and white leather backing.
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Scarce RAF Mk II Goggles (Goggles, Lightweight, Flying).
Often referred to as Mk II goggles, but correctly listed as "Goggles, Lightweight, Flying" – these are now almost impossible to find. Declared obsolete before WWII, they enjoyed a resurgence of popularity during the Battle of Britain, due to the shortcomings of Mk III, IIIa and IV series goggles. Blackened brass frames edged with brown silk with leather covered spring steel strap and blue tinted lenses etched with date of 1942. Goggles are in very good used condition.
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RARE RAF Mk VB Portable (walk-around) Oxygen Supply Bottle with carrying case.
One of the hardest accessory items to find for a Bomber Crew display. The portable oxygen bottle carried a vital 30 minute supply of supplemental oxygen enabling crew members to leave their station and walk around the aircraft to carry out repairs, tend to injured companions etc. Well marked and dated 09.41 and then 4.42 where it was upgraded the VB, the valve carries numerous Air Ministry ref. numbers and markings. Good gauge though acetate is slightly discoloured. Includes rare canvas carrying case with double straps, marked 1942. Valve cover sligjtly dented, otherwise this is in excellent condition.
US SALE ONLY.
SOLD
RAF 1941 Pattern Life Vest (stole inflated pattern) in superb, unissued condition.
RAF 1941 Pattern Life Vest (Stole inflated pattern) in absolutely superb, unissued condition. Has all its pockets, grab handles, buttons and pouches intact, no oxidation or verdigris, all snaps and zip works perfectly, clean and bright, with all tapes. No stole (bladder), kapoks or or accessories installed. An outstanding example, size Large, impossible to upgrade.
SOLD
Scarce RAF Aerial Photographer's Electrically-heated Camera Muff.
Another very scarce and important accessory for any bomber crews engaged in recording the success of each mission. An Electrically-heated Camera Muff to prevent the mechanism of the camera from freezing. Comprises a green cotton hood lined with blue cotton housing the wiring, with a long cord and plug. This example has the RAF Stores Ref. Number on a label which also indicates it has been repaired. There are two celluloid "windows" for the camera operator to view the information display. Excellent condition.
SOLD
RAF 1941 Pattern Flying Gauntlets - matching pair.
A lovely matching pair of used RSAF 1941 Pattern Flying Gauntlets, with the diagonal zip fasteners. In very good used condition, no excessive wear or damage, and unusually, perfectly matching in shade, pattern colour and size (8). Age toning to palms. Nice crisp Air Ministry markings inside. Even the linings are a perfect match and both are named to McCabe. Good working zips with leather pullers intact. Very hard to find matching RAF gloves.
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RAAF 1936 Pattern Flying Boots in black leather by Bedggood of Melbourne.
Very good used pair of Australian made 1936 Pattern Flying Boots as issued to the RAAF and to RAF personnel serving in the Pacific and South East Asia region. Black leather boots with strap and buckle to the top, sheepskin fleece lining and rubber heel, leather sole. Heels are original Dunlop; sole has been covered with a period Dunlop rubber non-slip sole over the leather (common practice to avoid slipping on metal aircraft surfaces). It has a metal "Blakey" tip added to the toe. Good Bedggood leather tabs on both boot pullers inside. Sheepskin shows slight moulting but not serious and the leather is in great shape. Curiously, both boots have extra leather loops built in on the inside of the instep. Never seen this before and I have been unable to find out exactly what they are for, but they are not an "add-on" and were definitely made that way (see pictures). Appear to be size 9 UK (Size 10 US).
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RAF Flight Sergeant pilot's SD tunic dated 1941.
Other rank's Service Dress tunic dated 1941 with stripes and crowns for a Flight Sergeant and mid-war pilot's wings, as well as correct rear facing embroidered shoulder eagles. Includes matching separate belt. Overall very good condition and all insignia are original and appear to be original to the tunic. I have looked at it carefully and can find only 4 or 5 very small moth nips, none of which are easy to spot - so condition is well above average. Good label with date of 1941. A very nice example that makes an excellent display.
SOLD
RAF 1950s full dress uniform trousers, made in USA.
Lovely pair of RAF full dress uniform trousers, tailored (unusually) in the USA and dated 1954. Leather stirrups, gold braid and zip fly front. Excellent condition and perfect to cpmplete a full dress display.
SOLD