Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
SALES October 2021
(click on pictures to enlarge)
British 8th Army Long Range Desert Group bush shirt/jacket.
Standard British issue bush shirt/jacket as worn by all branches of the service, this one with the shoulder insignia of the famed 8th Army, together with shoulder titles indicating LRDG - Long Range Desert Group, an elite branch of the Special Forces who went in advance of the main force. Rank slides indicate a Lieutenant Colonel. Overall good condition showing wear but no damage. Shirt is ink stamped with date of 1942 and what also appears to be 1947 so it may have been reissued, but I am no expert in Army nomenclature.
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RAF Bomber Command mission documents + target maps and charts for Bremen.
Superb collection of documents, maps and charts for an early wartime RAF night bombing raid on the Railway Workshops at Bremen, Germany. All are marked with the Op No. GH374 which took place on October 27, 1942. The secret document includes a detailed description and reference to decoy targets, with 3 sets of updates all attached at the bottom of the sheet. There are 3 rare black and white aerial photographic maps of the target in different scales, showing the approach from different directions. Also included is an extremely rare RAF target map of Bremen in muted grey and purple designed to be viewed under red lights within the aircraft cabin at night. These target maps are incredibly hard to find. This example is dated 1944 so perhaps the airman visited this target more than once? It all came together so I am keeping it as a grouping. Each of the items is extremely rare in its own right but together they make a very interesting Bomber Command display. All items in very good condition, with some wear and a few small nicks and tears in the edge of the large target map, but no loss or damage.
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Tinted lenses for the Luftwaffe flying goggles Model 295, in their cotton pouch.
Extra grey tinted lenses for the Auer Model 295 flying goggles, still contained in their cotton pouch as issued.
Pouch has some sun fading, though printed 75% tint is still visible. Lenses are in excellent condition, no cracks, chips or scratches.
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US Navy aircraft communications extension cord for TH-37 receivers.
Rubber coated extension lead for the TH-37 receivers as fitted in the early M-450 and NAF 1092 flying helmets. Excellent condition, scarce accessory.
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Luftwaffe early war service dress tunic (Tuchrock) to the rank of staff sergeant, flight.
An outstanding example of an early wartime Luftwaffe service dress tunic to a staff sergeant (NCO) in the flying branch. Very high quality (officer grade) wool with a satin lining, privately tailored and featuring French cuffs, sewn in shoulder boards and yellow twisted cord piping as well as yellow backed rank insignia. A ribbon for the Iron Cross second class is sewn through the top button hole, and there are numerous loops for awards, qualification badges etc. The right breast shows a lovely early droop-tailed eagle. The condition is simply amazing, with no visible wear. 100% original, this was sourced by the seller from a well known authority in the UK. This magnificent tunic would be impossible to upgrade, which is reflected in the asking price.
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AAF Type M-1944 goggles.
Very good pair of M-1944 All purpose Goggles, issued to AAF pilots and aircrews as well as being worn by tank crews, drivers etc. This pair fitted "Aviation green" acetate lens. Green elastic and webbing strap. Very little elasticity left, but rubber is perfectly pliable and these are in very good condition, well-marked and dated 1944, the first year of issue.
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AAF B-17/B-24 ball turret "clock position" indicator.
Rare and unissued/unused AAF ball turret position indicator used in both the B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers. There was precious little space inside a ball turret, and gunners were almost constantly disorientated. This gauge, which was close to the gunners feet, showed his position on the clock - so that when the pilot said "bandit at 4 o'clock" the gunner would manoeuvre the turret till the guns pointed towards the 4 o'clock position. A very hard to find AAF aircraft instrument.
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Fantastic painted A-2 jacket "Dotty" with history, 379th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Absolutely fabulous original WWII painted A-2 flying jacket, the former property of Roland Leroy Hess, B-17 pilot with the 379th Bomb Group. The 379th was stationed at Kimbolton, England and was credited with the highest number of sorties and the most tonnage of bombs dropped, higher on both counts than any other bomb group during World War II. On the front of the jacket is the name of the aircraft "Dotty" (named after Hess's wife Dorothy) and the 8th AF insignia. On the back of this jacket is a painting of Hess's B-17 ("Dotty" on the nose). Surrounding the plane are small bomb bursts with locations of bombing missions. Some of the target names have worn a bit over the years but most are still legible. Red flak bursts indicate hits by antiaircraft fire. The jacket is a size 42, with label intact but slightly worn. Made by Bronco Mfg. of NY. Good working "CROWN" zipper. Knit cuffs and waistband are lightly peppered with moth nips but nothing serious. R. L. HESS is stenciled on the lining. Comes with a two-volume hardback set history of the 379th in which Hess is mentioned. A laminated tag attached to the zip by a leather lanyard contains some history. An absolutely stunning example of a painted A-2 jacket.
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AAF manual Navigation for Bombardiers.
Prepared by the AAF Training Command and AAF Instructor's School in Midland, Texas as a supplementary training manual, this is one of the more scarce manuals. 74-pages, well illustrated with diagrams, photographs and of course cartoons, this is specifically for student Bombardiers. Very good condition, slight creases and staining to cover; back cover separated but present.
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RAF MK 2A bone-dome jet helmet with Type P oxygen mask, complete in transit case.
Excellent example of this beautiful and very rare jet flying helmet issued in the 1960s and 70s to pilots (and back seaters) in such aircraft as the Lightning, Phantom, Buccaneer, etc. The first "all-in-one" jet helmet which featured a drop down visor/screen operated by pulling down or pushing up on the yellow bar. The visor would also drop down and lock automatically for ejection. The visor mechanism was fragile and the protective housing quite flimsy, so many broke in operational use and it is now one of the harder to find jet helmets, though undoubtedly one of the most attractive looking. This helmet is in very good condition, showing light use but no damage. Slight scratching to visor, but housing is intact and mechanism works perfectly. Fitted with all electrics/comm. gear and including a Type P oxygen mask with hose and microphone all in similar condition. Visor is amber tinted. Comes in its correct fibreboard transit case which has a few dings and lacks the padding but solid with good hinge and clasps. A rare and desirable helmet from a great era of fast jet aircraft.
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USN aircraft carrier yellow flight deck crew helmet.
WWII US Navy aircraft carrier flight deck crew identification helmet. this example in yellow cotton, unlined with chin strap and buckle. Different colours signified different roles among the flight deck crews: aircraft handlers, armaments/reloaders, refuelers, etc. Large size though unmarked. Excellent condition showing light wear, still bright. Fighter pilots would often try to get hold of these helmets because in many ways they were actually better than the issued flying helmet, and they can be found in various colours, fully wired with telephone receivers holders sewn onto each side. This example is untouched. A great display item for a carrier flight deck.
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RAF 1936 Pattern Flying Boots named and dated 1937 size 8.
Totally original 1936 Pattern Flying Boots in very good condition overall. They show some use, but the soles and heels are totally original and have never been replaced. The fleece inside the right boot is beginning to moult, through this does not detract from the outward appearance, and the left boot is fine. Great Air Ministry marked pullers in both boots, indicating size 8 and a date of 1937. Both are named to G.C.B. Lover. Leather is in excellent shape and soles and heels have plenty of wear left in them. Classic Battle of Britain flying boots getting harder and harder to find.
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RAF Mk I / Mk IA Planisphere with celestial insert.
Mk I (or 1A) Planisphere (it is marked as both but just one stores ref. number: 6B/153). Approximately 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm) square metal sheet with rotating plastic bezel showing celestial map of the Northern Hemisphere. Used by observer / navigator for nighttime navigation by the stars, along with an air almanac. By overlaying the acetate sheet and rotating the bezel, the navigator is able to plot the position of the aircraft. Not an easy item to find, especially with the insert and rotating bezel intact (most are badly warped with age). The only flaw this has is a mark/ring on the insert from where the navigator must have put down his hot mug of coffee or cocoa! Great item for a Bomber crew display.
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A very good pair of RAF sea boot socks dated 1943.
A very good pair of RAF issue "Sea Boot Socks" often worn by fighter pilots inside their flying boots for extra warmth at high altitude.This pair appears unworn, though slightly grubby from storage, and with one sock having a small hole near the top, although this doesn't show if the socks are turned down. Both are marked with a broad arrow and date of 1943, although one is faint. The more clearly marked sock is also stamped as a size 3. A difficult accessory to find.
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RAF Type E1 Anti-Glare Spectacles with case.
Introduced for use in desert regions, these anti-glare spectacles were issued to both aircrews and ground crews. They featured dark green lenses in plated metal frames fitted with leather side shields to prevent dust, sand and other debris from getting in the eyes. The cable arms were standard on most spectacles at the time and prevented them from being blown off. This pair is in very good condition, the lenses undamaged, the leather still supple and the frames with minor discolouration. Contained in their Air Ministry marked and labeled tin case painted olive green. The earliest anti-glare spectacles issued to RAF personnel and getting hard to find, especially in good condition.
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WWII RAF Mk VIII Flying Goggles in excellent condition, complete with original box and all accessories
Wartime Mk VIII goggles are now becoming more difficult to source, especially in this kind of condition. This pair was produced late war and though not marked with the A-crown-M on the leather above the bridge, they feature the characteristic rolled edges on the frames and are stamped on the leather nose covering. Condition is remarkable, and they appear unused, except for the name Lea written on the suede cushion and strap. No paint loss to frames, strap stretches like new, dark tinted lenses are excellent and leather is soft. Come in their correct Air Ministry marked box, complete with extra clear lenses wrapped in wax paper and the demisting cloth in its 1942 dated tin. An excellent find.
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RAF Mk VII Flying Goggles, refurbished with replacement strap.
The most attractive and elegant of the RAF wartime issue goggles, in my opinion, this pair of Mk VII goggles has been restored and refurbished to perfect, unused condition. Original brass frames with correct ultramarine blue painted finish with leather and chamois cushions. The strap is a wartime type made from the correct grey elastic webbing, but with the type of adjustment buckle found on night training goggles. Fitted with original tinted lenses. These are excellent for display or re-enactment, and with original Mk VIIs now extremely rare and pricey, they make a perfectly good filler.
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US Army brown low-quarter shoes in unworn condition.
Not very often I care to use words like "mint condition" but that is the only way to describe this incredible pair of US Army issue brown low quarter shoes. Standard issue for the US Army and Army Air Forces in WWII and until the USAF fully transitioned (from 1947 to 1954). This pair appears to be dated 1954 - but I am not an expert in reading nomenclature codes - however, regardless of the manufacture date, these are identical to WWII issue and in unworn, unused condition. Size 7.5 so probably better suited for display than wearing anyway. Impossible to upgrade.
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AAF navigator's True Airspeed Computor, Type
G-1, still sealed in it's box as issued.
Hard to find a better example than one that hasn't been opened since it was sealed in its box in May, 1945! Please note: photo of actual computer is NOT this computer - I "borrowed" the picture from NASM; the computer you are buying is SEALED inside the box. If you choose to break the seal and open it, that's up to you!
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RAF Gosport receivers and tubes for flying helmet.
Very good pair of Gosport receivers in black bakelite, well marked with Air Ministry stores ref. number and complete with fabric covered flexible metal tubes, culminating in the "Y" connector. Known as "profanity strainers" by y flying cadets and instructors alike, they were used in all training aircraft and by the Fleet Air Arm while flying on ops to preserve radio silence within crews.
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RAF 1933 pattern flying gauntlets, named with history.
Excellent pair of 1933 Pattern Gauntlets, named to Ralf William Brumwell DFC, who flew Wellingtons, Stirlings and Lancasters, completing 28 operational sorties. He was shot down once and wounded, and later flew a badly damaged aircraft back to base (his full history supplied with sale) receiving the DFC in 1944. Gloves are a near perfectly matched pair in near perfect condition, well marked and dated 1940.
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RAF Mosquito Boots, worn by flyers in desert and tropical regions, with history.
Originally intended for wear by ground crews to prevent being bitten by insects such as scorpions, as well as mosquitoes and even snakes, these were quickly seized by pilots and aircrew members for wear while on combat flying operations, being both comfortable and practical. Green suede uppers with leather soles and taped drawstring to tighten up the tops and prevent creatures getting inside, these are very high quality boots and in excellent condition. They show light to moderate wear but no damage and are very clean. Well marked inside with size (9UK which would be 10US) a clear date of 1944 and manufacture's name (John White). There is also a WD arrow stamp and coding near the inside top of both boots. An excellent example of these scarce boots.
They come with history of the owner including some copies of photographs and a letter he sent home.
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Private purchase hand-made sandals owned by a RAF airman.
Purchased by the same airman who owned the Mosquito boots while stationed in North Africa. These are superb leather thong style shoes, not unlike the types which were issued to Italian pilots in the desert - very comfortable for flying because they would offer excellent "feel" of the rudder pedals. Made from natural animal skin with an incised design on the leather and decorated on the strap with snake or lizard skin, the leather is then nailed to a rubber base, most probably cut from an old discarded vehicle tyre (each has a different "tread" pattern). Hand made and therefore left and right are slightly different in decoration but a perfect matched pair in terms of size (size 9UK / 10US). An unusual item of flying kit or for casual wear.
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RAF Pressure Jerkin for fighter jet pilots, used with Type J and M oxygen mask, dated 1956.
Frankenstein Pressure Jerkin worn by early jet pilots flying the Vampire, Venom, Meteor and even the Canberra and Hunter, which used the oxygen supply to compress the torso during high G manouevres. A small valve on the upper right hand side of the chest connected to a short outlet hose on both the Type J and M series of oxygen masks. The jerkin was short-lived when the Types J and M masks were shelved in favour of the American A-13A. Jerkin is made from blue grey rubberized cotton with "corset" style lacing at the back for a tight fit and a Lightning separating zip at the front. It is in excellent condition, totally pliable with no stiffness anywhere. 1956 dated label, size large. Very difficult to upgrade. A rare item of early jet fighter clothing.
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RAF Observer Parachute Pack - an excellent reproduction.
A quite superb reproduction of the Irvin RAF Observer type parachute pack, complete with D-ring, rip-cord and bungee cords, a facsimile Irvin Air Chute label and various ink stamped markings. Made from identical canvas to the originals, and with, I believe, some original parts (such as the D-ring, other steel parts, and original period webbing). It will fill a gap in any collection and is the perfect option for a re-enactor. The pack is stuffed with some kind of padding which approximates the weight of an original.
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RAF Type D internally wired flying helmet, large size 3, in outstanding condition.
This internally wired Type D helmet is in superb condition, very clean, inside and out, complete with Type 32 receivers, correct internal wiring loom with bell plug and connector for oxygen mask jack. Large size 3 and clear stores ref. numbers ink stamped on side, plus service number of the crewman who once owned the helmet. Introduced December 1944, the internally wired Type D was standard issue to all aircrews stationed East of Malta in desert or tropical regions. Lovely example.
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Scarce inter-War Air Corps Cadet Service Dress uniform and cap - possibly one of the first issued.
Scarce Inter-War cadet blues uniform and cap in extremely good condition. Very similar wool barathea to the RAF uniform, but with gilt US Army buttons, shoulder straps, no lower pockets and without a belt. Beautiful silver and gold bullion embroidered winged prop and US insignia to lapels show tarnishing and a couple of small but not too significant moth nips below left hand insignia. QM Depot label inside pocket with date stamp that is slightly smeared but appears to be October 25, 1928, making it one of the first issued (the uniform was in use from 1924-1940). Cap is in similar excellent condition with gilt metal winged prop device, patent leather peak and chin strap. A lovely uniform.
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Fantastic RZNAF complete pilot's uniform, SD jacket, trouser and sidecap named and with some history.
By far the smallest of the Commonwealth Air Forces, The Royal New Zealand Air Force nonetheless contributed greatly to the Allied war effort. Examples of New Zealand made uniform items are however extremely scarce - and this complete RNZAF uniform is an absolute gem. Comprising a Service Dress uniform jacket and matching trousers plus sidecap, all made in New Zealand and named to F/O Ron W.F. Mires. He enlisted in May, 1943 and began pilot training, was commissioned in August 1944 and made active January 1945. The war ended before he was posted overseas, and he was made a reservist in September 1945 - which explains the amazing condition of this rare uniform. Tailored by Schneiderman & Sons, considered the best tailors in New Zealand at the time, the uniform is exquisitely made and has a beautiful example of a New Zealand made pilot wing brevet. The sidecap is labeled to Chas Hill & Sons Ltd of Wellington and, along with the unform, has the correct NZ buttons. A great complete and original RNZAF uniform.
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RAF MAPS ONLY escape/evasion purse containing double-sided escape map, compass and hacksaw.
Becoming very hard to find with all components. Waterproof purse is in excellent condition, carefully opened but no tears, marked "MAPS ONLY" to front (this indicates that it contained no currency). Contains double-sided silk escape/evasion map 43C (Holland Belgium France Germany) and 43D (France Germany Switzerland Belgium) together with the miniature compass and hacksaw blade wrapped in paper. Compass in good working order, blade with some minor surface oxidation but a very good example. These were issued to all RAF and AAF flyers flying over occupied Europe.
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Exceptional RAF Mk IIIa Flying Goggles dated 1936.
Superb pair of iconic Mk IIIa flying goggles in exceptional condition showing almost no signs of use. Frames retain blackened finish, lenses with no warping and very light surface scratches, velvet pads are like new and strap is perfect, with tension springs in perfect working order, no stretching. Nice AID stamp and crisp AM stamp with early 1936 date. Oddly both stoppers are absent - either never attached properly or maybe removed. Could undoubtedly be added if desired but they look perfectly good as is.
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Pre-war RAF officer's Service Dress cap.
Absolutely fantastic RAF officer's service dress cap by a private tailor, Lingards of Preston. Condition is superb and appears to have had very little wear. Underside of peak is finished with the black crinkle finish instead of the more common green. Cicular quilting pattern on lining suggests 1920s or early 1930s, so appropriate for an officer serving at the time of the Battle of Britain. A superb cap that would be difficult to upgrade.
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RAF issue wool jumper/sweater for wear under the SD uniform, dated 1938.
Rare uniform accessory item worn by officers and other ranks and designed wth a V-neck so as not to show when the Service Dress tunic was worn, providing extra warmth under the flying clothing. Fine knitted wool with a good label and 1938 date. There are a few snags and holes which can be seen in the pictures, but they don't show badly or detract from the appearance. Dies not show any wear so may have been unissued. Very nice example.
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RAF Ops Room raid plotting block tile UF9.
Very rare accessory which makes a great addition to any Battle of Britain display: a tile used on the "Raid Blocks" which were placed on large table sized maps of southern England showing movement, strength and altitude of both enemy and friendly aircraft engaged in the daily air battles. Only a handful of these simple items survived and many were used over and over again. This example, painted in black on yellow, indicates enemy (Luftwaffe) aircraft and would be stacked on the "block" as shown in the last photograph.
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RAF Ops Room raid plotting block tile 259/853
Very rare accessory which makes a great addition to any Battle of Britain display: a tile used on the "Raid Blocks" which were placed on large table sized maps of southern England showing movement, strength and altitude of both enemy and friendly aircraft engaged in the daily air battles. Only a handful of these simple items survived and many were used over and over again. This example, painted in black on yellow, indicates enemy (Luftwaffe) aircraft and would be stacked on the "block" as shown in the last photograph. Interestingly it has been stamped/engraved on one side and then hand-paited on the back with a different number.
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RAF Ops Room raid plotting block tile 719
Very rare accessory which makes a great addition to any Battle of Britain display: a tile used on the "Raid Blocks" which were placed on large table sized maps of southern England showing movement, strength and altitude of both enemy and friendly aircraft engaged in the daily air battles. Only a handful of these simple items survived and many were used over and over again. This example, printed in yellow on black, indicates aircraft strength and would be stacked on the "block" as shown in the last photograph.
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RAF Ops Room raid plotting block tile 399
Very rare accessory which makes a great addition to any Battle of Britain display: a tile used on the "Raid Blocks" which were placed on large table sized maps of southern England showing movement, strength and altitude of both enemy and friendly aircraft engaged in the daily air battles. Only a handful of these simple items survived and many were used over and over again. This example, printed in white on black, indicates aircraft strength and would be stacked on the "block" as shown in the last photograph.
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RAF Ops Room raid plotting block tile "I"
Very rare accessory which makes a great addition to any Battle of Britain display: a tile used on the "Raid Blocks" which were placed on large table sized maps of southern England showing movement, strength and altitude of both enemy and friendly aircraft engaged in the daily air battles. Only a handful of these simple items survived and many were used over and over again. This example, printed in red on white, would be used with other tiles to indicate friendly aircraft strength and would be stacked on the "block" as shown in the last photograph.
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Excellent RAF Battle of Britain Type D oxygen mask, plus Type 21 microphone assembly with full external wiring loom (Type F connector) and bell plug.
A quite exceptional example of a Type D oxygen mask, 100% original and in great condition. One slight worn spot to upper front right from rubbing against the stiff insert between the wool, linen and chamois, and perhaps 2 or 3 pinhead sized holes which are almost invisible. Minor soiling to wool and chamois, but overall this mask is in remarkable condition. There are vestiges of some black writing on one side - not clear what it is. Comes with a good Type 21 microphone with rare early Type F external loom. Hairline surface crack on bakelite part of microphone. Note mask has never had snaps or face defenders attached, was probably used as a microphone carrier (which explains the great condition). Most masks on the market these days have excessive wear or damage and often repairs.
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Incredibly rare RAF Battle of Britain fighter pilot's Seat Type Parachute assembly by Irvin Air Chute Company, complete with silk canopy dated September 25, 1940.
An absolutely fantastic find. RAF parachute equipment is extremely rare, especially seat type parachutes - ESPECIALLY complete with the silk canopy intact and still packed - but to find one dated during the Battle of Britain is a dream find. This example has been stashed away somewhere for over 80 years, and as a result it has a couple of small chewed areas on the webbing harness: one by the left hand lower buckle, two more at the lower back. These could perhaps be restored but do not affect the integrity of the harness or the display so I prefer to leave alone in original 'as found" condition. Harness is grubby and could be cleaned up - very nice A-crown-M stamps to the shoulder straps of the harness. The pack, back cushion and silk (not nylon) canopy are unaffected and the canopy remains as packed. The pack has a superb Irvin Air Chute label and serial number, and I knew it was an early model, but could not find a date which is faded out - however I carefully opened the pack and unfolded the silk to look for a date and found a superb ink stamp with the matching serial number and a date of September 25, 1940, as well as the A-crown-M Air Ministry stamp. A genuine Battle of Britain seat type parachute which in spite of the minor damage to the harness remains in great, displayable condition, lacking on the seat cushion. Includes a full set of bungee cords and a lovely early storage bag with DOT zip fastener and A-crown-M stamp on both sides which matches the style of the stamp on the harness.
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RARE RAF Type C* (C-star) flying helmet with Type J oxygen mask and extremely rare Mk I visor.
The C* was the final development of the Type C helmet and essentially comprised a wartime pattern Type C retrofitted with a shorter wiring loom and different style plug (later to become known as the NATO plug). This was specifically for use in aircraft fitted with the first ejector seats, such as the Vampire and Meteor. It coincided with development of pressure demand oxygen masks and more protective eyewear. The Type J mask, though resembling the Type H, was built from entirely new moulds and was designed to provide a better facial seal. In the end, the American made A-13A was preferred and production of the Type J was shortlived, making it an extremely rare mask. The Mk I visor was developed to provide better eye and facial protection for ejection and was used with the Type C* as well as the early Mk I crash helmet. Snap fasteners were retrofitted to the helmet to allow the visor to be attached. Goggles could also be worn underneath. This rare set is in excellent condition, with minor perishing to the thin latex inner lining of the mask. For the connoisseur of Type C helmets, this is a must! Final picture shows this set up in use by a Vampire pilot.
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RAF Type D flying helmet, first type, with external wring / Type 26 microphone assembly.
A wonderful combat veteran that has seen service, yet remains great for display. The very earliest Type D helmets were built with the external rubber flange for added noise attenuation, which was quickly replaced by a one-piece moulding which was covered by the fabric outer layer. Helmet looks great on display, but is sweat stained and has a small hole to the left rear, near the goggle strap tab. The interior has some wear and tear, with part of the satin lining torn, though all material appears to still be there. Satin covered "donuts" are grubby but solid and undamaged. Helmet is fitted with a rare external wiring loom, Type 26, including Type 16 receivers and Type 25 microphone. plus bell plug. The rubber earcups are in great shape, soft and pliable (in fact the receivers move around easily); leather is good - Bennett buckle retains its covering. Wiring loom is very good; microphone is a little grubby. Overall, a good example of a very scarce helmet with lots of character. Priced as a scarce early variation of the helmet and a scarce external wiring loom plus receivers.
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Matching pair of RAF Type 32 telephone receivers for the Type C, D and E flying helmets.
Getting almost impossible to find on the loose these days, a good matching set of Air Ministry marked receivers, complete with their "guts" and correct crew-on back plates.
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RAAF pilot's uniform Service Dress tunic and peaked cap, named with history to KIA pilot who bombed the Tirpitz.
These two uniform items came together, so I prefer to keep them together. Both jacket and cap are in very good condition, the jacket having correct rear facing bronze eagles on the sleeves and a superb RAAF pilot wing brevet. The cap is an outstanding example, with no label or maker's marks but a lovely heavilt padded bullion badge. The cap shows less wear than the tunic, which makes perfect sense, since the SD jacket was invariably worn on operations before the introduction of the Suits, Aircrew (battledress). Jacket is made by Gieves, dated December 1941 and labeled to T.A. Ley. This probably a clerical error at Gieves and should read A.T. Ley (there are only two Leys listed in RAAF records for the time period: Andrew Thomas Ley and his brother Sgt. John George Ley). F/O A.T. Ley was a Lancaster pilot with 463 Squadron. His was one of the crews which attacked the Tirpitz. He was KIA October 1944 following a raid on U-Boat pens in Bergen, Norway. Such details as are available will be included with sale, but this is worthy of a lot more research.
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RAF Air Sea Rescue sleeve patch for other ranks.
One of the most important branches of the RAF. established in 1941 after suffering horrendous losses during the Battle of Britain, the Air Sea Rescue crews manned motor launches, flying boats and every means possible to rescue RAF crews and pilots who crashed, ditched or parachuted into the sea. This is an early example of the patch worn by other ranks, embroidered on black felt with paper backing.
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