SALES JUNE 2020

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Aircraft recognition "wheel" - 1940 game/home front toy.

7.75" diameter "wheel" with rotating disk showing details about each aircraft in each of seven small "windows". On one side of the wheel, British warplanes are featured, on the reverse, enemy aircraft (German and Italian). Clever device which brought lots of entertainment to kids and adults during the Battle of Britain and the Bllitz!

SOLD

Very scarce early Army Air Corps flying cap, Type A-2, designed for mechanics to wear while warming up the aircraft and test flying them.

Very scarce early flying cap, which superseded the Type A-1 and was an altogether better design. Made from OD green herringbone cotton twill, the cap could be reversed and turned into a flying helmet enabling a mechanic to test fly the machine in order to get it airworthy for the pilot. This example is a very large size in perfect, unissued condition.

SOLD

Luftwaffe K33 leather flying helmet made in grey leather, dated 1943.

Scarce variation of the K33 flying helmet in grey leather, generally thought to be intended for elite units such as the first jet pilots (most early test flying was conducted without the need for radio communications). In keeping with its use by fighter pilots it has the stud fittings for the 2-strap oxygen mask as well as the hooks for the 3-strap. A large size in excellent condition. No label (doesn't look as if it ever did) but a nice crisp LBA ink stamp on the neck strap with a 1943 date. Very difficult to find the grey leather version. Shows light use but no damage. A great helmet.

SOLD

Wartime issue RAF Mk VIII flying goggles.

Good, honest used pair of RAF Mk VIII flying goggles in good condition. You can faintly see the crown emboss behind the bridge. Elastic still has some stretch to it. Lenses are decent, with light delamination. Leather is good and most of the paint is still there.

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Incredibly rare WWII era RAAF Air Rank officer's peaked/visor cap.

The air force equivalent of a general's cap, worn only by officers of the rank of Air Commodore and above, having two rows of "scrambled egg" to the patent leather peak. The RAAF had significantly less officers in this rank than the RAF, making this a very rare hat indeed, and in excellent, lightly

used condition. Dark blue twill fabric with a black mohair band, superb bullion badge and leather sweatband. The thin celluloid liner is protected by a sheet of acetate but this can be removed if desired. The original Australian made label is still present. An excellent example.

SOLD

RAF wool scarf dated 1939.

One of the best items of supplementary flying clothing / uniform attire I have come across in years. Superb knitted wool scarf in RAF blue grey is 8.5" wide by 34" long (22cm x 86cm) and in perfect, unissued condition, with a crisp clear A-crown-M white ink stamp and date 0f 1939. Made by A. Yates & Co. of Leicester. A simply fantastic find.

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RARE British made AAF Type B-14 Flight Jacket for enlisted aircrew.

One of the rarest items of flying clothing issued to AAF flight crews, the B-13 (for officers) and B-14 (enlisted men) were the AAF's initial answer to the RAF Suits Aircrew/battledress top. Made from OD wool serge with a fly front to keep out the wind and cold, the B-13 had double buttons at the front and straps at the wrist for tightening, with slanted flap pockets on either side. This particular example is particularly scarce, being British made - although the label is faded out, the broad arrow is still clearly visible. These were standard issue for less than a year before being replaced with the "Ike" jacket, making this one of a very small batch indeed. It is especially nice having a beautiful British made bullion aircrew wing and felt 9th AF patch sewn on, as well as US sergeant chevrons. Excellent condition.

SOLD

Fantastic theatre made AAF officer's crusher cap.

Made in Karachi, in what was then part of India (Pakistan since 1947) by "Hatmakers of Distinction, The Manchester House" this is a superb tailor made custom crusher cap, with the eagle device bullion embroidered directly to the cap. Nice light weight cotton top, reddish-brown leather peak and strap and matching rear strap. There are one or two small moth holes but nothing that detracts too much from this absolutely gorgeous custom made officers cap. Though not unique - I have seen only 3 or 4 others of this style and quality, it is a very rare example in overall excellent condition.

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Rare and perhaps unique New Zealand made BD blouse and trousers with USAAF insignia.

British army 1940 pattern battledress blouse and trousers, dated 1941 and maker marked to Ross & Glendining of Dunedin, New Zealand, with spectacular bullion embroidered pilot wing, medal ribbons for DFC and AFM with 3 oak leaves, felt AAF shoulder patch plus winged prop and LT. bar to collar and United States tabs on epaulettes. Named inside - appears to be Elmore. Blouse is in excellent condition, showing minimal wear. Trousers have some mothing but still display nicely. A very rare BD set being NZ made, but the AAF connection makes it a wonderful find.

SOLD

RAF set of 4 navigator's pencils for chart marking.

Set of 4 pencils for chart-marking and plotting the aircraft course to target and home again. One each blue, black, red wax type (chinagraph) and a soft pencil. These are marked with S-crown-O for HM Stationery Office which procured and supplied such equipment. All used but very good condition and perfectly usable.

SOLD

Extremely rare RAF Special Ration Type C for the multi-place dinghies, complete with all contents, unopened, dated 2/44.

A real rarity; the RAF Special Ration Type C complete and unopened with all contents still sealed inside (though I don;t recommend feasting on them!). Stores ref. 27P/21. About the same size as a baked bean tin, with no dents or dings, just a little surface oxidation. Amazing condition! Dated 2/44 on the tin lid in yellow.

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Scarce early US Army Air Corps Type A-1 Flight Helmet/Mechanic's Cap in unissued condition.

In the very early days of aviation, the mechanics were the first pilots, they had to service the aircraft and then test them - and the only way to test them was to do a quick circuit - so they were issued a peaked cap which quickly converted into a flying helmet (by pulling down ear flaps and turning it backwards). Made from OD herringbone twill cotton, this example is in perfect, unissued condition. First example I have seen in many years.

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RAF officer's Field Service Cap (sidecap).

Superb example of the RAF officer's Field Service Cap (sidecap) in unworn condition. Tailor made by Hector Powe of Regent Street with broad arrow markings (as used in WWI) so this could be a very early example. If so, it is in remarkable condition.

SOLD

AAF SW-141V Push-to-talk switch assembly, complete with leather neck strap .

Quite a scarce item of flying kit, especially with the leather neck strap still present and intact. This switch assembly hung around the crewman's neck, connected to his throat microphone or mask mounted microphone, and enabled 2-way communication without a lot of meaningless chatter over the radio. In combat, the switch could be locked down to allow constant stream of conversation. In excellent condition, including the leather strap which is usually missing.

SOLD

RAF Type C flying helmet, first pattern (unwired) first style in unissued condition.

A beautiful example of the very earliest Type C flying helmet in virtually pristine condition. The leather is superb, the chamois lining is clean, the rubber is still pliable and it retains its Bennetts buckle with leather covering and metal "V" tip to chin strap. Crisp Air Ministry marking and stores ref. number to left hand lower chin area, plus a woven label inside, and two ink stamps: one large, circular stamp which is not clear and the standard AID inspector's stamp. Fore and aft goggle strap tabs, two up and two down, and just 2 press stud/snap fasteners each side intended for the first Type E mask. It's a size 1 but fits a styrofoam display head and displays just great. It would be difficult to upgrade this example.

SOLD

RAF Mk VII flying goggles.

Getting harder to find all the time and still the best looking of all the RAF goggles (in my opinion!). A decent pair of used Mk VII goggles with the usual dings and dents to the thin brass frames, but retaining over 90% of its ultramarine painted finish. Frames are nice and tight, with good leather and strap is good, though lost most of its elasticity. Lenses show very little evidence of delamination. Pads are still spongy and chamois is lightly soiled but overall a nice set that displays well.

SOLD

AAF Oxygen Mask Microphone Type T-44A.

T-44A microphone for mounting in US oxygen masks to be compatible with RAF aircraft. Comprises the standard braided cord ftted with a US made RAF-style bell-shape jack plug, MC-253 microphone and plug jack for connecting to the ANB-H-1 receivers. Excellent condition. This is a T-44A - the suffix letter A indicating the manufacturer.

SOLD

WWII USAAF parachute back pad/cushion.

Excellent AAF parachute back pad/cushion which appears to in unissued condition. OD canvas cushion stuffed with horsehair and well marked with 1942 date code and AAF property mark. The same type was used for both seat type and chest type parachute harnesses. Scarce accessory.

SOLD

RARE original unused headed stationery from the "Hell's Angels" 359th Bombardment Squadron.

3 sheets of unused , full-size (10.625" x 8") headed stationery from the "Hell's Angels" 359th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group. Beautifully engraved letterhead printed in 4 colours on heavy cream coloured paper. One small area on left of each sheet where paper has been crushed by a paperclip or something similar, otherwise perfect. All three sheets.

SOLD

Scarce RAF early external wiring loom with Impedance Switch box attached.

Getting very difficult to source these days, an early RAF external wiring loom, type used in the B helmet and early Type C. Medium brown cord is fitted with Type 25 microphone and bell plug, and has the long, metal Impedance Switch box fitted. This enabled the communications system to be used with either Low or High impedance radio (US aircraft typically used Low Impedance radios, while British aircraft used High Impedance). The cord has several lightly frayed areas, and a couple more serious where the external braided cover has worn through as shown in the pictures, but is substantially complete. Switch box has paint loss and surface oxidation. Microphone has typical paint loss and bakelite backing plate has chips and damage. This can be replaced or installed in a mask is not visible. A very scarce item, even though perhaps not the best, but priced according to condition.

SOLD

Original replacement cuffs and waistband for AAF A-2 jacket.

Very difficult to source replacement knitted wool cuffs and waistband for the A-2 jacket. Perfect matching set with no damage and still have lots of stretch.

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WWII Soviet Army Air Force flying goggles.

Typical later war, lesser quality goggles with alloy frames, glass lenses and rubber cushion with fabric backing. Brown elastic strap is stretched out, natural rubber cushion has stiffened and cracked but surprisingly still flexible and not as bad as it looks, although there is some loss to the rubber. These are not the more desirable type with raised vents – no doubt an economy measure – but any WWII era Soviet flying kit is extremely rare and these will certainly fill a gap and display well enough. Priced according to their condition.

SOLD

2 matching WWII RAF silver plated demitasse coffee spoons for the officer's mess.

Two demitasse coffee spoons from the officer's mess. Among the more scarce items of cutlery to be found (the English were not renowned for drinking espresso back in those days!). Small spoons are just 11cm long (4.375") in excellent condition.

SOLD

RAF Type 21 Microphone assembly for the Battle of Britain era Type D oxygen mask.

Type 20 electro-magnetic microphone complete with its Type Q cord and bell plug known collectively as Type 21 Microphone Assembly. This was the final development of microphone for the Type D oxygen mask, introduced into service in October, 1940, at the tail end of the Battle of Britain. Microphone is in excellent condition with no dings or damage and retaining 95+% of it's black lacquered finish. Also retains the rubber band securing the wiring in place - which is very unusual. Excellent maroon cord with no damage or fraying, and bell-shaped plug with no chips or cracks. Shows light use but overall excellent condition.

SOLD

RAF Type D oxygen mask tube with braided covering - a very good reproduction.

Original examples of braided tubes for the early type D oxygen masks are extremely difficult to find - largely (I believe) because the glue or cement used to adhere the braided fabric to the tube reacted with the early synthetic rubber and, over time, broke down the chemical composition resulting in either hardening or melting of the rubber (the same is true of the cement used to attach the chamois to the E and E* masks). The fabric braiding was thought to help resist the hoses freezing, but it didn't have much effect and later tubes were not braided - and those tubes seem to have a better survival rate. The very early yellow and orange natural rubber tubes also seem to have survived better, but were produced in such small numbers that they too are extremely rare. Most museums and collectors therefore use replicas such as this: in every respect a very good copy of an early braided tube, made from modern black synthetic rubber with a braided cotton covering of black and white fleck. 5' long, it will complete your Type D mask display at a fraction of the cost of an original.

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RARE USSR Army Air Force pilot’s smock/tunic, rank of captain, in a large size.

A cross between a jacket and a shirt made from heavy, coarse green wool. Pulls over the head and buttons 1/3 of the way down. Bellows pockets to the top, double button cuff, stand up collar with blue (Air Force) tabs for rank of captain and branch, absolutely superb bullion and silk pilot’s flying qualification badge to left sleeve and red and gold braid chevrons to both lower sleeves. Cuff and pocket buttons are bronzed with hammer and sickle; concealed shirt buttons are marked Moscow. Well marked inside and dated 1934. Absolutely lovely piece in excellent condition. WWII Soviet uniform items are rarely found.

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RARE USSR Army Air Force pilot’s log book.

Not related to the above tunic (came from a different source) but from the same time period. Though the book is dated 1939, the first page (translation) indicates that his previous log book was lost by the Soviet Air Force administration and that this new log book was completed using the pilot's prior reports and endorsed by the commander of the 169th. The owner, V.F. Pligin, started training in 1933 and by August 1940 had almost 1000 hours of service duty to his credit. Log comes with a partial translation (introduction). Lots of entries and official stamps etc. A lot of history here that is well worth deeper research!

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Extremely rare Luftwaffe Hm15 oxygen mask manufactured by AUER.

Probably the rarest of all the Luftwaffe masks. Very few survived, in large part because the glue used to cement the suede anti-frostbite shield to the edge reacted with the rubber and over time has melted it - every single example I’ve seen has had this issue - this being no exception. However, this mask has been carefully restored and the “damage” has been inhibited by cleaning up the "melted" part of the rubber to prevent it spreading, then sealing with a special rubber filler before lightly coating it with rubber based paint, blended to match the existing rubber. It is only a very small area around the edge of the mask that is affected and the restoration is minimal (it is still possible to read AUER and part of Hm15 moulded into the rubber on the left hand side). The surface shows unevenness and slight distortion from the effect of the damage over time, and there are a few stress cracks, but the rubber is pliable and the mask displays well. The rest of the mask, including the section with the ribbing, the hose, clip etc. are in perfect condition. It is named on the forehead strap. The small aluminium clip on the forehead strap has the very tip broken off (I am sure this could be replaced, but I found it displayed just fine as is on my LKpS100). In perfect condition, this mask would be valued considerably higher, but any example of this early German oxygen mask must be considered extremely rare. Please note: the LKpS100 helmet is shown for display only and is NOT FOR SALE.

SOLD

RAF Sea Boots Socks.

Excellent pair of issued Sea Boot Socks. Heavy wool over-the-knee socks in cream coloured wool look like they have never been worn. Nice crisp broad arrow stamp on both feet. Issued to sailors as well as pilots of both the RAF and Fleet Air Arm (hence the name!) and treated as uniform items so the broad arrow mark does not indicate date. Most famously associated with Battle of Britain pilots. Quite a scarce accessory - especially in this incredible condition.

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First Field Dressing as carried in RAF service dress and battledress uniform pocket.

This is what the interior pocket on the skirt of of t SD uniform was made for - and the external front pocket on BD trousers. All aircrews were issued a First Field dressing as a standard part of their kit. Still wrapped in its original cellophane and dated January/June 1944.

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AAF Type B-5 flying helmet modified with cut out sides for wear with the early A-10 oxygen mask.

Rather scarce modification to the B-5 helmet but cutting the sides back to provide a better for the early A-10 oxygen mask, with the addition of the hooks on the helmet for securing the masks. Helmet is in excellent condition, with good leather, soft and pliable, excellent shearling interior and a great 1941 dated label. Lovely example of a fairly scarce variation.

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RAAF Khaki Drill battledress / suits aircrew blouse with plot wing.

Beautifully tailored battledress blouse, still bearing the original 1944 dated official Australian government manufacturer's tag. Squadron leader rank lace on the epaulettes and a lovely set of RAAF pilot wings sewn to the left front. 4 inverted red service chevrons on the right sleeve. All black plastic RAF buttons except for the waist which fastens with two brown trouser type buttons and has an adjustment strap and buckle on each side. Excellent condition throughout. There is a name and number inked below the label and RAAF 139803 inked on the opposite side from which the owner could possibly be researched.

SOLD