WWII British and Enemy Warplanes Identification Wheel

An original wartime example, published by George Philip & Son Limited, of 32, Fleet Street, London E. C.4 and intended we believe for civilian use. The instrument is made from cardboard and is in the form of a circular identification chart, comprising three pieces of coloured card joined together with a metal eyelet in the centre. One side is marked 'British Warplanes' whilst the reverse is in identical format and details Axis machines, in this instance German and Italian. On the outer ring are drawings of all the allied and enemy machines then currently in service, each showing the aircrafts wingspan and fuselage length. By rotating the red ring the operator can align the arrow to a specific aircraft and you can then read off from various cutouts the planes name, role, horsepower and number of engines and crew. Separate cutouts give further data like rate of climb, service ceiling, armament, maximum speed and range at cruising speed.

Interestingly on the enemy warplanes side it mentions 'A new Messsereshmitt-109F-is now in service'. The Bf 109F-2 did not enter operational service until March 1941 with JG 2. So, whilst these discs were not dated, it clear must be from post March '41. However, in chatting with Mick Prodger on this he makes the very valid observation ' my feeling is with civilian/commercially sold aircraft recognition books, tools and devices, is that they were all released much later in the war. Any current information was 'restricted' and only made available to the public once tide began to turn in the Allies favour. Even then, the information given out was usually "old news" which was obsolete and therefore harmless. As a result it is difficult to date these 'home front' items but my best guess is these things were more likely released no earlier than 1944'.

Seeing it is probably 80 years old this example remains in remarkable condition, with minimal signs of light use and all functions work as intended. In our attached images on the British side I have highlighted the Handley Page Hampden, affectionally know as 'The Flying Suitcase' by her crews, which my late Father operated with 144 Squadron, before he became a Kriegie " guest" of the Luftwaffe in August 1941 - but that is another story! It measures 7.5" diameter (19 cm) and with the festive season approaching this would be a unique, yet modestly priced, stocking filler for the aviation collector in your life. Thanks to the ever helpful Mick Prodger for his useful additional input on our research on this item.