Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
SALES September 2022
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Fantastic medal, insignia and document grouping to a Medic with the 6th Division parachute regiment in Normandy and Arnhem and 1st Division in Norway.
An incredible and very rare grouping of insignia, medals and paperwork to a medic who served with the Red Devils, 6th Airborne Division, 195th Field Airlanding Ambulance then transferred to the 1st Airborne after Arnhem. Includes his 1939-45 Star, France + Germany Star, Defence and War medals plus ribbons - all in their original box with paper slip; Medic red cross brassard, rare original Pegasus printed sleeve badge, glider badge, ID card, dog tags, 3 small photos, signal mirror, Bible, service and pay book, plus documents and training books for his time in Norway on Operation Doomsday at the end of the war. Too many small items to list - please see pictures and ask questions. Extremely rare and interesting grouping.
SOLD
Named AAF officer's 4-pocket tunic with felt shoulder patch.
Very nice WWII AAF officer's 4-pocket tunic with 1943 dated label inside the pocket named to Ferguson. Jacket is in excellent condition, with all buttons (including the flat button behind the attached belt - a feature later adopted by the RAF). "Ruptured Duck" badge to right breast and a lovely felt AAF patch to the left upper arm.
SOLD
AAF Type A-8 Winter Flight Trousers with braces/suspenders.
Far less common than the A-9 and A-11 flight pants, these A-8 trousers are seldom found. They were quilted and padded for cold weather and high altitude flying. This pair is in absolutely immaculate condition, and appear to have never been worn. They are also a super large size 38. OD green waterproofed cotton outer with heavy quilting and a cotton lining; two patch pockets on the thighs, two more on the back of the seat and two zipped pockets on the lower legs below the knees. In addition to the woven spec. label, these are well marked the AAF winged star property stamp. Included are the original braces/suspenders with correct attachments for the buttons. These are also in impeccable, unused condition.
SOLD
Wartime RAF 1 pint china tea mug in outstanding condition.
Not a common accessory these days, and this particular example is in superb condition. 1 pint china tea mug for all other ranks. White china with blue crest and maker's mark to base: Crescent brand by George Jones & Sons. This is a genuine wartime production mug - not one of the modern copies. No chips, cracks or crazing - a beautiful mug.
SOLD
RARE RAF Mk II Flying Goggles (Goggles, Lightweight) in excellent condition.
Synonymous with the Battle of Britain as a temporary replacement (brought out of obsolescence) for the unpopular Mk III and IIIa goggles, and used throughout the war, these Goggles, Lightweight (commonly referred to as Mk II goggles) were both stylish and functional. Alloy frames, silk eye-cups rimmed with fur, clear laminated Triplex lenses and leather and chamois strap with leather covered springs, all in excellent condition. Never common but extremely rare to find these days.
SOLD
RAF Mk VIII Flying Goggles, wartime production.
Good pair of wartime production Mk VIII Flying Goggles in very good condition. Clear lenses with minimal delamination, excellent frames and very good leather, plus good strap which still has plenty of elasticity. There is a good, crisp Air Ministry mark (A-crown-M) in the leather but it is behind the hinge and difficult to photograph! Look as though they might not have been issued or worn, storage wear only.
SOLD
Excellent AAF B-8 Flying Goggles in box with all accessories.
Absolutely excellent pair of AAF B-8 Flying Goggles by Polaroid. Nice clean pliable black rubber frames backed with chamois and grey strap retaining its elasticity, fitted with a near perfect amber lens. In original issue box, also in excellent condition, complete with cotton pouch containing 3 clear and 3 green lenses; pouch has a slight separation along one edge seam which does not detract and could easily be repaired. Extra lenses are slightly warped from storage but can be straightened out with gentle warmth (hot water or a hair dryer). Box also contains the original instruction manual. One of nicest pairs of B-8 goggles I have seen in a long time.
SOLD
RAF visibility skull cap carried in the life vest.
Excellent example of the simple cotton skull cap with tie-tapes, carried in the top pocket of the 1941 pattern Mae West, per AMO announcement of May 1942. The cap served two purposes: to make the wearer more highly visible to rescue personnel and to provide protection from sun, wind and salt. It was found to be ineffective in both areas and withdrawn from issue December 1943. Once plentiful, examples are somewhat difficult to find these days - and nice examples with a good AM mark like this are quite scarce.
SOLD
AAF Electrically-Heated Flying Gloves for the Type F-2 and F-3 suit.
Excellent pair of these quite scarce heated flying gloves, made from beautiful chestnut brown chrome leather lined with cream wool knit. Showing only light wear, these gloves are a size 10 and are well-labelled and marked 33.2 Ohms inside.
SOLD
Attributed 1918 pattern RAF pilot's uniform jacket and matching trousers.
Extremely rare and attributed 1918 pattern RAF uniform in green, rank of second lieutenant. Comprises a green wool 4-pocket jacket with rope bordered buttons, lovely padded 1918 pilot wing, ribbon for the 1914-15 Star (for service at Gallipoli) and eagles with crowns on the sleeves for the rank of second lieutenant (no lace - lace was used for the rank of lieutenant and above). The green RAF uniform was worn for less than a year before being replaced with the horizon blue uniform and one year later the more familiar blue grey still worn today. Buttons with the crowned eagle and a rope order. Rank was worn on the cuff and for a second lieutenant comprises guilt eagles surmounted by crowns. Though the eagles were supposed to be rear facing, there was undoubtedly a shortage of insignia in 1918 and this uniform features matching right-facing eagles on both sleeves - a common compromise by tailors. The uniform came from the family (descendants) of Edward Cunnigham Taylor who served with the West Kent Yeomanry from September 1914, the East Kent Regt (Buffs) from February 1917 and the RFC/RAF in 1917/18. It comes with a copy of his index card showing his service at Gallipoli and reference papers for his story on the IWM website. Some minor mothing to the uniform (as shown in the photos), but it displays very well. A very scarce early RAF uniform.
SOLD
RCAF Mk III goggles dated 1942.
Canadian made Mk III goggles dated 1942 in what can best be described as fair condition. Fine for display in the context of a well-used pair. The leather pads are somewhat dry, especially the lower portion, and the nose/bridge section. That said, the leather seems to be quite stable and not flaking (no sign of red rot - just dryness). Frames and lenses are very good, as are the cloth covered springs of the strap. The rear strap, is perfectly fine, with crisp markings. Stoppers are still present and they retain their shape. Condition reflected in price but still a fairly decent set for that "I was there" look.
SOLD
RAF Mk VIII goggles in box with accessories.
Excellent pair of wartime production Mk VIII goggles in original box with extra lenses and cleaning/demisting cloth. Goggles show very light wear; great tinted lenses, clean leather pads and trim and very good strap with full elasticity. Lovely crisp A-crown-M stamp in center of forehead pad. Come in original box with extra clear lenses and demist cloth in tin. One cardboard divider missing (over pne of the extra lenses) otherwise box is in good shape, slightly creased and crushed but solid. Good wartime marked examples are getting very hard to find.
SOLD
1930s Spanish made goggles by Mira. Similar to German types and worn by Germans flying in Spanish Civil war.
Thin rubber facemask and lightweight aluminium frames with acetate lenses. Same broad view as and similar shape to the German Auer model 295 goggles from which they were most likely copied. These are seen in photos of German and Spanish pilots in the Spanish Civil War and were undoubtedly kept and worn later. Silken strap retains some elasticity. Frames have slight dings but lenses have only very light scratching and rubber is still pliable. Overall these are in very good condition and work well with any early Luftwaffe headgear display.
SOLD
Early WWI RFC Triplex goggles with tinted safety glass lenses.
Great pair of early flying goggles (also used for motoring) by Triplex, with tinted safety glass lenses. These are the most common types seen in early wartime photographs of pilots and observers from 1914 to 1916. Cloth surrounds are excellent with good springs, strong leather fittings with gold embossed Triplex logo on both sides. Adjustable non-elastic strap. Very good condiiton especially considering these are well over 100 years old.
SOLD
Rare accessory: Clips for attaching Mk IV series goggles to guide plates on helmet.
Matching pair of black-painted brass clips used for securing the loops on Mk IV series goggles to the guide plates mounted on the sides of the flying helmet. Comprises a simple brass channel attached to a female snap fastener/press stud. One of the clips is very slightly flattened on one side but still fits perfectly and works as intended. Some paint loss. Very rare to accessory find on the loose.
SOLD
Superb unissued RAF Type G oxygen mask, still in its packing box with instruction sheet.
A remarkable find! This Type G oxygen mask has never been issued or worn and is still packed in its box, packed with corrugated paper, its instruction sheet and fitted with its blank transit cap. The grey green rubber is in absolutely superb condition, clean and with no visible stress cracking that I can see, the lugs holding the nosewire still tight and secure and no perishing at the edge (or anywhere else). Grey suede lining is clean and unused, the elastic webbing harness still stretches like new. Mask comes in its original sturdy cardboard box with packing information and stores ref. number and includes the instruction sheet for care and fitting of the mask. I don't like using words like "mint" because technically something that is 80 years old and has been handled cannot be "mint" - but this mask is probably as close as it gets and really would be impossible to upgrade!
SOLD
RAF Stole Inflated Life Vest (1941 Pattern Mae West) complete with stole.
Officially referenced as Life Vest, Stole Inflated Pattern, but universally referred to as 1941 Pattern Mae West, this very good example is complete with its inner inflatable stole (or bladder). Very clean life vest with a good label, most probably dates to later 1944 judging by its full complement of accessories and the fact it has a broad arrow acceptance mark. It has dye marker pocket, leg tapes, grab handles, pocket for skull cap (later used for the heliograph), pocket for floating lamp and female connector for the dinghy pack. Condition is excellent, except for the floating lamp pocket which is shredded (my theory is perhaps the batteries leaked and weakened the fabric). However, this could be repaired, replaced or removed (Fleet Air Arm pilots frequently removed it in favour of the Easco clip-on red light). Still has an original and correct stole inside. Stole is also in excellent condition, though it lacks the inflation mechanism. Stole is dated September 1945. Once fairly common, this pattern Mae West is now quite difficult to source, especially in such good condition.
SOLD
Stunning Italian summer flying helmet in white silk with personalized storage pouch.
Absolutely stunning Italian flying helmet made from 100% high quality white silk. Superbly made - and a very large size so I'm guessing not made for a woman. Perhaps for the Italian display/competition pilots of the 1930s when Italy and Britain were the main competitors for such things as the Schneider Trophy - the equivalent of the RAF Lewis helmet and prestige suit. Classic Italian style and design with streamlined snap-shut pockets on each side for radio or Gosport receivers, long chin strap and plated buckles for the chin strap and goggle strap tab at the back. Some wear to the chin strap but does not detract for display. Comes with a matching white silk pouch for storage (or perhaps for a pair of goggles). Pouch has a matching single snap closure and a hand embroidered Italian crowned eagle in azure blue. This is quite simply one of the most beautiful and unique flying helmets you'll ever see! Note: Goggles are for display only and are not included with sale.
SOLD
RAF 1941 pattern life vest stole and inflation lever dated June 1945.
Grey cotton covered rubber stole ("bladder") with yellow fabric covered oral inflation tube to fit the 1941 pattern Mae West. Stole is in excellent condition, completely pliable, with one very small area at the bottom of the left hand lobe that is a tiny bit stiffer than the rest, but no damage. The inflation tube is flexible and strong, and the valve is fully operable. I have not attempted to inflate it because breathing moist air into the chamber would hasten deterioration, so I do NOT recommend it, but stole is in good condition and would probably hold air. Sold as a collectible - NOT as a life saving device. Broad arrow marked with a primary inspection date of 6/45. Chrome-plated inflation lever mechanism in place with nice clear broad arrow mark. Stoles are becoming extremely difficult to source and inflation levers are seemingly gold dust.
SOLD
Extremely rare RAF 1945 Pattern Overboot, issued for operational trials.
Quite possibly the rarest RAF flying boots of the WWII period - certainly the only example I have ever seen. These boots were developed after studies of he 1943 Pattern Escape boot showed the shoes were not comfortable or practical for walking long distances, and that both the USAAF and the Canadians had been successful in the development of an "overboot" - a flying boot designed to fit over a standard walking shoe. The boot could then be discarded after landing, leaving the evading airman an opportunity to walk greater distances wearing his own shoes. These boots were produced and designated as "Overboots, flying, 1945 Pattern." They were issued on a limited trial basis. The war ended before the trials were complete so production was suspended. This surviving pair shows use - the heels are well worn, but soles and heels are original. Externally, the boots resemble the 1940/41 Pattern, with a brown suede outer and a rubber coated "galosh". They are lined with sheepskin for warmth, but it is reversed so the the shearling is between two layers of suede leather. The boots are also taller, and have a longer zip which opens almost all the way to the toe, so that fitting a shoe inside is easier. The zip on the right boot has some teeth missing and may be difficult to open/close but is closed and works great for display. The zip on the left boot works smoothly. The galosh section has been professionally conserved to keep it soft and pliable. See page from RAF AP notes at the end of the photos.
SOLD
RAF Mk VIIA wristwatch by Longines, Battle of Britain period, in good running order.
Stores Ref. 6B/159 Mk VIIA wristwatch which was designated a navigator's watch, but was also issued to pilots of single seat fighters and other crew members. This example is a Longines and the owner has taken good care of it over the years, including a recent clean to keep it in good running order and a new-old-stock leather strap. It is also possibly a replacement crystal, though it shows some light wear. An attempt has been made to file off the Air Ministry markings from the back of the case (possibly because the owner thought he would get into trouble for keeping it) but most of the marking are still legible, though faint. A date code of 40 is visible, as is the AM for Air Ministry and part of the nomenclature - it's very difficult to photograph and more is visible to the naked eye than the camera will show. The serial number of the watch (on the inside the case) corresponds to a Longines production date of 1940 confirming the date of issue. A truly excellent watch in great condition which would be considerably higher priced if the back had not been filed down - but all things considered a great item.
SOLD
Matched pair of WWII RAF sergeant's stripes.
Excellent matching pair of RAF sergeant's stripes, blue and white chevrons on the correct black background. These appear unissued and unworn - with no damage or wear. Getting quite difficult to find these days.
SOLD
AAF miniature "sweetheart" navigator wing.
Lovely miniature US AAF navigator wing, with pin-back. 1.5" (4cm). Lovely detail, sterling marked.
SOLD