SALES February 2022

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Gold-plated silver RAF pathfinder badge.

Fabulous jeweller made RAF Pathfinder badge with gorgeous detail to the feathers, good pin-back. Marked silver on the back. Gold-plated for wear on the RAF uniform. Lovely badge.

SOLD

Rare complete WWI RNAS Light Filter Goggles kit.

Absolutely superb and extremely rare complete Light Filter Goggles Kit comprising the leather face mask with folding brass frames in fitted, baize-lined wooden box with all eight pairs of laminated glass filter windows in different colours, together with the original instruction booklet. Each coloured filter set was for observing aircraft, submarines and ships, plus clues like oil slicks etc., under different conditions and visibility, as explained in the booklet. Green elastic strap still has elasticity. Produced in very limited numbers, these goggles were experimental and wearers were asked to contact the admiralty with their opinions and observations (see last page of booklet). This set is in absolutely pristine, unissued condition, bar slight edge-fading to some of the filters and foxing to the booklet, and would be nearly impossible to upgrade.

SOLD

RAF other ranks side cap dated 1943.

Very good, British made RAF other ranks sidecap. War Dept marked and dated 1943, cap is fitted with correct RAF buttons and badge - badge showing wear from polishing. Very good overall condition with light use and a few very small moth nips at the back.

SOLD

WWII US Army Airborne Glider Pilot wing.

Lovely example of the US Army Airborne Glider Pilot badge in frosted sterling, with good patina, pinback.

SOLD

RAF mid-war Irvin jacket in very good condition with a couple of small issues.

Very good RAF mid-war Irvin jacket. The sheepskin fleece is in very good, strong condition, retaining all of its coating and the honey-coloured shearling interior is thick and soft. The jacket has one or two issues. The front zip is a replacement. the bnew zip is a Lightning brand, very similar to the wartime type, but postwar - although I would say it is an old replacement. The left sleeve zip works perfectly. The right sleeve zip is missing its runner. The runner is present but is broken and has come off. With care, a replacement runner could be installed (I can provide a replacement runner at extra cost). There is one very neatly (professionally) done leather patch on the upper right arm, which hardly shows. Other than that, this is a very good Irvin. Never had a collar strap fitted, nor the hooks for attaching it - I believe these were discontinued with later production. No label, but still has its chain hanger.

SOLD

AAF Polaroid double-marked Type B-8 / 1065 Flying Goggles.

Excellent slightly used Polaroid 1068 Goggle Kit - featuring a superb double-marked pair of 1065/B-8 goggles, complete with extra lenses and instruction booklet in leatherette case. I don't believe I've ever seen a pair of these goggles double-marked before, but moulded into top of the frame is "Polaroid Aviation Goggles No. 1065 and o the side of the frame is moulded "AAF B-8." Rubber is nice and pliable with clean chamois, and strap still has elasticity. 8 extra lenses are included: 2 amber, 2 clear and 4 grey/green. A lovely set.

SOLD

AAF M4A2 Flak Helmet for aircrew.

Excellent example of the final development of the M-4 series anti-flak helmets designed by Malcolm Grow. His first issue type was constructed in the same way, from overlapping steel manganese plates, but covered with leather and had no protection over the ears. This later model is covered with fabric and includes large ear flaps to cover the receivers in the flying helmet (A-11 or ANH-15) worn underneath. Appears to be unissued and apart from a little dust from storage is in outstanding condition. Great label with clear markings.

SOLD

RAF early wartime Type F communication cord.

Sadly in poor condition, having lost much of its braided covering, but still a rare and desirable Type F cord (wiring loom) such as was used with the early Type C and Type 18 microphones. All connectors to the microphone, receivers and plug are present and appear to be intact, if somewhat fragile. The cord has been partially wrapped in very old orange tape (whether this is wartime or not I cannot say, but it is not recent or modern tape). It is what it is. In good condition it would sell for many times the asking price. It may be possible to restore if someone knows a source for recovering the wiring.

SOLD

RAF/RCAF Other Ranks' Field Service Cap (sidecap) dated 1940.

Great Battle of Britain item. This Canadian made Field Service Cap (sidecap) was never even completed by having either buttons or a badge attached. Perhaps it was destined for England and RAF issue - it is dated 1940 and is in unworn, unissued perfect condition.

SOLD

1940s Tootal artificial silk scarf typically worn by RAF pilots and crews.

Lovely example of the popular "Tootal" brand white silk scarf favoured by RAF pilots and crews to protect their neck from chaffing when looking around for the "Hun in the sun" - it also covered up the fact they chose not to wear their starched detachable shirt collars! Artificial silk (Rayon) because real silk was desperately needed for parachutes. After the war, Tootal returned to using only silk for these signature scarves. A lovely clean and undamaged example.

SOLD

RCAF Auxiliary shoulder tabs.

Scarce wartime variation of the shoulder tabs with the "A" for Auxiliary embroidered as part of the patch. White embroidered on black wool background. The style of eagle is reminiscent of Canadian manufacture but if someone has a different idea please contact! Unused, perfect matched pair.

SOLD

RAF Mk VII flying goggles, early issue with leather strap.

Very good pair of RAF Mk VII flying goggles fitted with the leather strap which was only issued for a short time before being replaced with the elastic webbing strap. Overall in good, used condition, with a few dings to the brass frames, but retaining their shape well. About 95% of original ultramarine blue paint remains. Clear lenses with no

signs of delamination and nice tight fit to all the parts. Good leather and chamois pads. Mk VIIs are getting very difficult to find these days - and the early type with leather strap have always been a rarity.

SOLD

Extremely rare RFC issue pattern 1915 cold-weather face-mask in fantastic condition.

An incredible rarity. The is is the only example of this 1915 issue pattern mask I have ever come across outside of the RAF Museum's reserve collection (see last photo for theirs, complete with Feb 2nd, 1915 dated wax-sealed tag). The condition is perfect and it has never been used. Leather is soft and supple as are the chamois lining and chamois wrapped elastic straps. Far more scarce than the cowl helmet and other Royal Flying Corps flying kit. A fantastic find in museum grade condition.

SOLD

RAF wiring loom for internally wired helmets including receivers.

Excellent example of the communication cord for the internally wired helmets Type C, D and E in flecked chocolate brown braiding. Fitted with Type 32 receivers - NOTE: the receivers are fitted with the end-caps 10A/12445 rather than 10A/12442 designed to fit into the rubber telephone holders inside most helmets - but would work with B type helmets or FAA Type Cs and Commonwealth helmets with zip ear cups. Includes connector for mask microphone Type 48 and bell plug.

SOLD

RAF ops room headset.

Standard aircrew issue Type C headband with Type 32 receivers fitted with long cord (to allow for mobility while wearing, walking around tables etc.) and small single pin red plug. Very good condition with some minor fraying to the braided covering, Air Ministry marked receivers and telephone holders and soft, clean chamois.

SOLD

Extremely rare RAF Battle of Britain Ops Room plotting table "Raid Block" with tiles.

This is one for the advanced collector. One of the most scarce and iconic items from the Battle of Britain - it took me years to find one of these for my own collection! Known simply as a "Raid Block" it was loaded up with "tiles" bearing numbers and letters which indicated the strength, types and altitude of aircraft, both friendly and hostile and moved around the huge table sized chart of southern England by WAAFs using long sticks as directed by the controllers sitting around on platforms. Tiles were also colour-coded to indicate the 5-minute sections of the Sector Clock, so that controllers could see how long the aircraft had been airborne - very important tactically, given the limits of duration over the target area for both Luftwaffe bombers and RAF fighters. A fantastic and incredibly rare piece of history. This raid block is sold with the tiles as shown in the photos. The last 3 photos are from a document which explains and illustrates their use.

SOLD

RAF seat type parachute ripcord sheath.

If you need one, you need one. The braided wire sheath which houses and protects the ripcord cable of the Seat Type Parachute. This would be sewn to the parachute harness webbing from the top left chest around the waist to the pack. Excellent, undamaged condition. A scarce accessory.

SOLD

Excellent Luftwaffe officer's visor cap by Erel.

A very good, early Luftwaffe officer's visor cap with the famed and desirable Erel make mark on the sweatshield. Top quality material throughout with no damage to the wool and light wear / sweat staining inside the tan satin lining. Aluminium piping and chin cords are excellent, as is the wire insignia which includes an interesting early droop-tail eagle. The cockade is of the metal type with mat black outer ring. Good ersatz visor with wear to green underside. A very good, gently worn example of this early cap by the most sought after of makers.

SOLD

RAF Mk VIII flying goggles.

Decent pair of Mk VIII goggles, late war or possibly just postwar, with the flat edged frames (the debate whether these are wartime or not remains inconclusive). In all other respects they show wartime production characteristics (high shoulders, unsewn edge to nose, raised vents, separate pads joined with cotton tabs). Tinted lenses have a few chips and the leather is dry with some surface cracking but no damage and still flexible. Strap has lost most of its elasticity, but at least it is original (not replaced with black elastic as I see so often these days!). Well used but there's still life in them and they will work great for display.

SOLD

Fantastic grouping to a B-29 navigator with the 504 BG.

Superb and rare headgear and insignia grouping to a navigator who served with the 504 bomb group, 20th AF, based in Tinian - the base from which the atomic bomb attacks were launched. Grouping consists of an A-11 helmet, A-14 mask with the extremely rare high-altitude bail-out attachment. Mask is in very good condition, though used, it has none of the common issues and no damage: rubber is pliable including the straps; anti-icing baffles inside; dated 1-45. Helmet is clean and leather excellent; size Large. Both marked with the owner's service number. Also his named "50 mission crusher" - a desirable Bancroft Flighter; has been crushed in storage and slightly dried out, a few moth holes but still displays well. Part of chin strap missing - but not part that shows. Also includes his sterling pinback navigator wings, medal ribbons and unit citation ribbon, dog tag, name tags, 20th AF decal, cadet and AAF sleeve patches - everything shown in pictures. Named to William Wichman.

SOLD

A good set of Sefton Clothing reproduction kapok pads for the 1941 pattern life vest.

Have been inside a life vest so they have that slightly used/discoloured look. A fine reproduction set from Sefton that will fit any of the 1941 stole pattern life vests.

SOLD

Superb early WWII RAF officer's peaked cap - privately tailored.

Absolutely first class late-1930s or early wartime RAF officer's peaked cap - privately tailored. Made by Lingards of Preston and in just excellent condition, with no visible wear and no mothing or damage of any kind. Nice hard peak with a black underside; narrow patent leather chin strap, fantastic heavily-padded badge. Possibly the nicest example of an officer's cap I have ever seen - this hat would have been very expensive at the time.

SOLD

Luftwaffe officer's service dress shirt with detachable collar.

Superb and 100% original example of a Luftwaffe officer's privately tailored service dress shirt as worn under the daily uniform Tuchrock or Waffenrock tunic, and possibly the fliegerbluse when worn open necked. The coondition is excellent and the detachable collar suggests an early manufacture. The collar is named to C. Buckow and what appears to be a date of 1937 (which would seem to confirm the early date of this extremely high quality, tailored shirt). Luftwaffe uniform accessories like this rarely turn up because they were so useful for wear after the war, when clothing was in such short supply in Germany.

SOLD

Control column "joystick" top from a Folland Gnat aircraft.

Scarce aircraft control column "joystick" top from a Folland Gnat (later Hawker Siddley). In excellent condition, with all buttons operative and no damage, plus a good data plate with details. The Gnat was the first jet trainer used by the RAF and featured prominently in aerobatic display teams, most notably the Red Arrows. Control sticks are becoming a whole self-contained area of collecting these days and good examples are quite difficut to find.

SOLD

WWII Indian made Airtex bush shirt/jacket.

Lovely example of a theatre made Airtex bush shirt/jacket of the type favoured by RAF personnel as well as British Army serving in the far east. Tan/khaki Airtex mesh fabric with matching belt (in the pocket) and ink stampings inside indicating a date of 7.45 - the ink stamp is typical of Indian made clothing and the the quality is outstanding.

SOLD

Royal Observer Corps Senior Observer badge.

The senior Observer badge for the Royal Observer Corps comprise the underside of a RAF Spitfire. A late/post war example printed on black cotton.

SOLD

RAF officer's shirt collar size 17.

RAF officer's shirt collar in a very large size 17. This is a privately purchased shirt collar (as were most worn by officers) of the type and style available in wartime in "Tuberised" cotton. Excellent condition, appears unused.

SOLD

WWII RAF/RCAF officer's SD uniform trousers.

RAF and RCAF uniforms were identical in cut and colour, but interestingly this pair of trousers has a zip fly which is clearly marked "Lightning: Made in Canada." While English tailors rarely used zip fasteners, wartime uniforms made in North America were often fitted with zips instead of buttons, so these may have been made from a RCAF officer or for a RAF officer in training or serving in Canada. Excellent condition showing hardly any wear, and named inside to "Brust R.R." Trousers were always useful after the war so are much harder to find than jackets.

SOLD

WWII AAF souvenir pillow case for airman to send as a gift to his mother.

Pillow cases were very popular souvenir items to send home to wives, sweethearts and mothers, with some being more specific than others. This one is a gift for an airman's mother, with a flocked design of the winged propellor and a poem or ode to "mother". Yellow flocking on brown satin with a yellow fringe around the outside, and plain black satin back. It is in good condition, no damage, although the flocking is worn in places. Just overall creased and would benefit from ironing.

SOLD

WWII AAF "Mother" pillow case gift - unusual size 12" x 8"

Poignant WWII AAF gift from an airman, probably acquired at the PX or from a local souvenir supplier and sent home for his mother's birthday, or perhaps for "Mother's Day" (Coming up very soon!). This is a beautiful piece in a very unusual size - may even have been for a new mother to use for her baby? White and yellow satin with flap opening, silk screened with winged propellor and crossed 48-star flags, "Mother" silk-screened on the flap of the opening. In excellent condition. A lovely souvenir item in excellent, perhaps unused condition. Size is very unusual - most that you see are square rather than rectangular.

SOLD

WWII AAF souvenir pillow case for airman to send as a gift to his mother, sweetheart or family member.

Pillow cases were very popular souvenir items to send home to wives, sweethearts and mothers. Not uncommon - but this example is in absolutely superb condition, and was evidently put away and never used. White satin background with the silhouette of a 4-engine bomber at the top and numerous other bombers in formation, plus single engined fighters at the bottom with aircraft hangars beneath the US AAF emblem. Yellow silk tassels around the border and blue silk reverse. Amazing condition.

SOLD