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 | RAF Style Mk VIII Flying/Motoring Goggles - On offer are a set of decent replica goggles based on the RAF Mk VIII pattern. We have no idea who made these as they do not carry any makers marks but they could have been aimed at the motorcycle market? The metal frames are silver painted and in excellent condition as are the clear lenses, although we can't say for sure if safety glass has been fitted. The central nose adjustment bar is an exact copy of the RAF version. The outer face pads are made of leatherette finished plastic while the inner pads and inside nose cover are leather. The back strap in not to the original specification but is fully elastic with plastic adjustment clips. In general we try and stay away from reproduction kit but these came in with a mixed lot of flying kit and if nothing else would be ideal for an aviation themed fancy dress whilst 'Mr Oldnautibits' himself recently used this set at a Mods & Rockers themed charity party!
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| USAAF A-8 Summer Flying Helmet - The A-8 flying helmet dates from May 3rd 1933 when the design was standardised but was moved to limited standard in March 1941 and was declared obsolete in September 1944. The A-8 was issued without provision for receivers or oxygen equipment although many were factory modified initially to take the A-8 series of masks. Receivers, when fitted, were held in place by leather receiver cups. The A-8 helmet was actually used in this guise by the first US fighter pilots to arrive in England during the spring and summer of 1942. This example is an unmolested version exactly as issued with a dark olive four segment cotton shell and goggle retaining straps to the rear. The front brow of the shell is stamped with a large AAF logo with Army Air Force below. It also features an original chestnut brown leather chin strap buckled at both sides; this shows some staining and signs of use. Later examples were modified with a fleece lined chin strap which also involved cutting and refinishing the sides of the helmet so it could be used with the A-9 or A-10 masks. Both draw strings are still in place. Inside the helmet carries a woven cloth label confirming the helmet designation and 'DWG 33G 5979' and 'A.C Order No. 41-2047-E.P'. An identical label is shown on page 88 of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Vintage Flying Helmets' reference book and dates our helmet to 1942, which is very late for an unmodified helmet to turn up. The size is indicated as 'Medium'. The A-8 is much harder to find now than the A-9 that replaced it and this pattern was also used in unmolested form by paratroopers in training, in much the same way as the RAF B type, without receiver cups fitted. The A-8 also saw service with the AAF in China and during the early war against the Japanese. Perhaps not the most sexy of US helmets but with its early introduction and unmodified specification and the fact it saw service in one form or another until almost the end of WWII it should form an important part in a US or general flying helmet collection. Thanks again to Mick Prodger for assistance with this description.
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| Rolls -Royce Merlin Engine Rocker Cover - Here is something for all of you who are saving up for that Spitfire but who are still some what short of the £1, 000, 000+ required! Whilst we have no history with it the back is distorted and we imagine the engine and airframe it was once attached to had a heavy landing. However from the front it looks very crisp with good clear Rolls Royce name so no doubt about its origins. It is also embossed D 32963 so it may be possible to trace its history. Having compared it to my own Battle of Britain period Merlin engine relic I would say this was from a late Mk of engine but really can't add any more useful information to this description. It could of course be sprayed black and the Rolls Royce picked out in red but we have left it exactly as it came in. Measures 42" x 9" (107 cm x 21 cm)
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| USAAF A-11 Intermediate Flying Helmet - A complete and fully wired example of one of the classic US Army Air Force flying helmets, standardised on August 6th 1943 and was used extensively in WWII and beyond seeing front line service in the Korean War. Everything is as it should be and all in all in really great display condition. Made from a brown cape leather shell with a soft chamois lining. The helmet carries an AAF decal to the front left and a similar even crisper stamp to the inside lining. Receivers fitted are the ANB-H-1 pattern; the one on the right has a minor chip to the edge but as this is inset it is hardly noticeable. A Y loom is fitted and is correctly wired to a PL-54 jack plug. The helmet features 4 snaps each side indicating this was a late specification helmet although the final version carried threaded oxygen mask snaps. An oxygen mask clip is fitted to the right side. The original manufacturer's woven label is attached to the inside rear of the lining, confirming the specification as Type A-11 spec nos 3189 and the size as 'Large' The contact number would appear to date it to 1944 and the manufacturer was Bradley Goodrich Inc. It is also marked 'Property of A.F. U.S. Army'. The lining itself is in good shape with evidence of only light wear. The only minor issues is a split in the leather lining inside one of the receiver 'doughnuts' probably caused when the receiver was originally fitted. This hardly detracts and is unnoticeable when on display. The chin strap and buckle are perfect. A fine example of this classic US helmet of WWII in a desirable large size and worthy of a new home in a serious USAAF collection! More detailed photographs available on request.
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| Item 5517B Aviation Cartoon Attributed to 'Canning' - Another fine framed cartoon featuring an RAF subject with distinct health and safety issues being highlighted in obvious fashion! The aircraft depicted appears to be a Hawker Hunter which entered RAF service in 1954 and were withdrawn from operational use in 1967. This cartoon has not been signed but it is clearly by the same hand as the 'Canning' example we have also listed today. We have been unable to establish much information on the artist but we have found he was cartooning at at RAF Wildenrath in the early 1970's and had a booklet published that went on sale in the Malcolm Club. The cartoons caricature some of the humorous goings-on in the Harrier Force at the time and it appears this and the other 'Canning' cartoon we are listing today pre date these and are probably circa 1960's. This work features an irate officer who is clearly the Senior Technical Staff Officer (S.T.S.O.) who is less than happy with the First Line Servicing Officer who is being put on the spot for an airborne airframe failure. We will never know if 'Pilot Officer Prune' (or his 1960's counterpart) was able to 'bang out' in time but we hope so! This image has at one stage been drawing pinned to a wall or notice board but is now mounted in a period frame and glazed. Measures 13" x 13" (33 cm x 33 cm) Minor age wear to frame but generally in very clean condition.
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| RAF Aviation Cartoon by 'Canning' - A rather fine framed cartoon featuring the RAF at work and play- we imagine in the 1960's. The aircraft depicted appear to be Hawker Hunter's which entered RAF service in 1954 and were withdrawn from operational service in 1967. We have been unable to identify the artist but we have found he was cartooning at at RAF Wildenrath in the early 1970's and had a booklet published that went on sale in the Malcolm Club. The cartoons caricature some of the humorous goings-on in the Harrier Force at the time and it appears this and the other 'Canning' cartoon we are listing today pre date these and are probably circa 1960's. This work features an officer who is clearly the Senior Technical Staff Officer (S.T.S.O.) who is less than happy with the way the 'erks' are looking after the aircraft under their charge with total disregard to health and safety issues and it would seem the Servicing Controller is shortly for the high jump The cartoon has some lovely period details and we particularly like the young 'Eric Bristow' type with his makeshift dart board/ RAF roundel! The picture is signed 'Canning' bottom right and bottom left is marked in pencil 'M'. We are unsure if this is an original or a print but it is period framed and glazed. Measures 17.5" x 14.0" (44 cm x 36 cm)
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| 'So Many' A Folio Dedicated to All Who Served With Bomber Command 1939-45 In 1990 a unique fine art folio was published entitled "So Few" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This is the companion volume, published by W.H. Smith in 1995. This is an impressive hardback book containing 276 pages with many colour and black and white illustrations, letters and short biographies of 25 Bomber Command aircrew who are featured. It carries colour plates of the aircrews' cherished memorabilia like Mae Wests, Irvin jackets, flying helmets and other related wartime ephemera. The book was compiled in association with the Royal Air force Benevolent Fund as a tribute to the pilots, navigators, bomb-aimers, signallers, flight engineers and air gunners in Bomber Command in World War Two 1939 - 1945. This book profiles the selected aircrew with silhouettes of each of them in 1995, a photograph, where possible, taken during the war, a facsimile of a written reminiscence and a colour photograph of their memorabilia. We have a copy in our own library here, as well as the companion volume and we would commend to anyone with an interest in or association with Bomber Command. Whilst the fighter boys have tended to attract the most attention post war it must be remembered Bomber Command suffered a higher casualty rate than any other part of the British military in World War Two and my own late Father served as a pilot with the Command and beat the odds, largely as a result of being captured in 1941. This is a large coffee table style book measures 13.25" x 9 1/2" (34 cms x 24 cms) and weighs in at 1.8 Kilos. Condition is excellent although the dust cover is slightly sunned and has a minor tear but inside the condition is hard to fault.
Pages: 276
Cover: Hard
Author: Michael Pierce, John Golley & Bill G
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| Westland Whirlwind Helicopter Control Column and Grip - We are advised this'joystick'was removed from a Westland Whirlwind helicopter. It is profusely stamped with the data plate reading PT No AC 61860 and below ISS 1 000 followed by No 183 which appears to confirm its origins although we don't know the actual airframe it was from. The stick itself is marked WAR.45.993.1531. The grip has a multitude of buttons, switches and controls 'Hoist Up / Down', 'Outside Light', 'Spare Switch', 'Hoist Cable Cutter' and others. It appears to have a brake lever fitted although we were advised this is actually for the Fuel Computer Disconnect. The original cabling is still connected and the whole unit is in good issued condition although it is offered as a collectable display item only and it carries no certificate of airworthiness! Measures 29" (74 cm) Please check the Whirlwind aircraft panels which we are also listing today.
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| WAAF WWII Drivers Gloves - An extremely scarce pair of Air Ministry issue gauntlets finished in very soft mid brown leather. The design is similar in many respects to the 1933 RAF pattern flying gloves but without the zip fitted in the wrist section. The leather (probably calf) is very soft and in virtually unworn condition. The inner lining is clearly stamped with a Kings Crown and below A.M. as well as A.I.D. inspectors stamps in both gloves. A similar pattern was also issued to F.A.N.Y drivers as well as ATS despatch riders in WWII but in this instance their is no doubt these are the scarce Air Ministry issue WAAF pattern. The size stamp is not clear but they could be a size 6 making them on the small size. This is the first pair of WAAF gloves we have had in 10 years and we don't anticipate these will be with us long!
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| USAAF Air Crew Cap Heavy Type D1-A - This cap is just post-WWII and is used with an A-1A flying shirt and E-1A trousers. Like most clothing from the period just post WWII, all these items came in blue, green, and sage green. The green clothing usually had no suffix, such as "D-1", the blue clothing usually had an "A" such as D-1A, and the sage green usually was "B". This example is in very good issued condition with clear AAF decal to rear and inside issue label. Size large.
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| Item 5134 Limited Edition Print signed by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC - We have been fortunate to purchase four limited edition prints which we are listing today, all published by 'Legends' (UK) in 1989. Each is signed in pencil by the artist J.G.Keek and the subject, in this case Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, of 617 Dambusters Squadron. The print is numbered 602 of a limited edition of the 1000 produced in total. Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO with Two Bars and DFC really needs no introduction but was born 7 September 1917 and died on 31 July 1992. He became a highly decorated Royal Air Force pilot during the Second World War. He was appointed as Commanding Officer of the legendary 617 "Dambusters" Squadron in September 1943 and pioneered a unique and effective way of marking targets. The 617 crest and motto 'Après Moi Le Deluge' is shown top right of the print. Cheshire was nearing the end of his fourth tour of duty in July 1944, having completed a total of 102 Operations, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross with his citation noting : "In four years of fighting against the bitterest opposition he maintained a standard of outstanding personal achievement, his successful operations being the result of careful planning, brilliant execution and supreme contempt for danger – for example, on one occasion he flew his Mustang in slow 'figures of eight' above a target obscured by low cloud, to act as a bomb-aiming mark for his squadron. Cheshire displayed the courage and determination of an exceptional leader".He was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF and one of the most highly decorated pilots of the war, but after serving as the British observer on the Nagasaki nuclear attack he resigned from the Air Force in 1946. He subsequently founded a hospice that grew into the charity 'Leonard Cheshire Disability', and he became known for his work in conflict resolution; he was created Baron Cheshire in 1991 in recognition of his charitable work. For those who have not read his book 'Bomber Pilot' I commend it to you and it helped inspire my love of aviation back in the 1960's. This print (and the others we have purchased) came sealed in acetate and we have left them sealed to protect them. So the actual image quality is better than that shown in our listing. This print is a large size at 24" x 1`6" (60 cm x 40 cm) and would benefit from being framed sand glazed. The print is not faded in any way and the original Cheshire pencil signature is strong. Clearly a signed limited edition that can never be repeated so grab it whilst you can!
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| WWII French Air Force Mechanic's Wings - Corresponding to the RAF Flight engineer 1936 specification. Issued to mechanics after 200 hours flying service. Gold bullion wire with engineer's motif below and set on a dark blue felt background. Minor wear but a 100% genuine period example with evidence of stitching where it has been removed from a uniform tunic. Good issued condition. Measures 4" (10.5 cm)
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| 'Buzzy Bee' Logo Panel - This one is a bit of a mystery! We purchased it from an auction together with a section of aircraft fabric cut from a De Havilland Hornet Moth circa 1936. Anyone interested in such things will find it listed on page 117 of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Trending Collectables 2015 Price Guide'- if you don't yet have one in your library please get in touch as we have a few copies left. When purchased we were told the vendor had stated 'both items had come from a defunct private museum here in the UK that had closed down' and our panel had been 'cut from a 1930's racing aircraft that had crashed shortly after WWII.' We have no firm evidence to back this up although having researched the Hornet Moth canvas the story told lined up exactly as told. This panel is we believe made from aluminium and is of riveted construction. It has minor 'creases' in places but is generally flat so ideal for wall display. The 'Buzzy Bee' image is very decorative and has been sprayed against a white roundel which is 24" in diameter (61 cm) ; this in turn is set over a black and yellow background. The paint is still quite bright but has lifted in places as shown in our attached image. The metal does not have any identifying marks to help us obtain any sort of ID although the front does carry a quite crudely painted 'L471'.This could just be a collection reference number so is really no help to us. The panel needs to be handled carefully as the edges are cut metal but mounted on a wall it make a decorative talking point. Of course if any visitors to the site can assist with any additional information concerning this piece we would be delighted to hear from you. It is a slightly irregular size but the approximate measurements are 33" x 23" (84 cm x 58 cm).
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| RAF Type H Oxygen Mask - First issued in early 1944 the H mask replaced the earlier G pattern and it remained in RAF service, with minor modifications, for the remainder of the 20th century. This example Stores Reference 6D/2244098 is broad arrow marked and was manufactured in March 1985 and has never been issued. When purchased it came complete in its original packaging with attached documentation that confirmed it was declared 'Serviceable' by 16 Maintenance Unit Stafford when last checked in December 1997! This example is marked 'Small' and is fitted with an Amplivox 13100 microphone and mint communication cord and female plug. A full elastic harness is fitted, again in unissued condition, with snaps and clips to use with RAF C, D & E pattern flying helmets as well as the later G. The harness also features the reversible 'quick connect' loops for use with the later metal oxygen mask hooks. If the mask is required without the elastic webbing harness please contact us for a separate price. Despite now being 31 years old this example is effectively as good as they come and is in factory fresh condition. Like all items offered on the site this is for sale as a collectable only, although subject to the correct checks we feel it is highly likely it is still in working condition but we can't guarantee this. These masks are no longer in production so grab the opportunity now to purchase one of the last genuine 'mint and boxed' examples whilst our very limited stocks remain.
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| Aircraft Access Panel Ex USAAF Base Grafton Underwood - On offer are further relic items from our Grafton Underwood collection. Firstly we have an access panel, again probably from a crashed B-17. This still has the majority of its olive drab paint to the outside as well as Northamptonshire mud. The items has clearly not been touched since it was recovered from the ground. The mud still attached to the unpainted inside indicates this part was unbolted from larger section of airframe after it came down. The remains of stencilling is shown on the inside face. Not easy to distinguish now but we presume it identified the location of the panel. Included with this lot are two aluminium frame parts of curved form and again showing original olive paint and evidence ground recovered. One is tamped 930 in a box. The final item in this grouping looks more like a BBQ spit rather than an aircraft part! However it marking 41-8184 seems to confirm otherwise. It is made from stainless steel but function and location on the aircraft is a complete mystery The larger panel section measures 30" x 10.5" (76 cm x 27 cm)
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| Aircraft relic from 384 Bomb Group Grafton Underwood - Another item from our Grafton Underwood collection. We are unsure what part this is although we speculated could have formed part of the control column linkage as the central shaft twists which in turn rotates the drive via a 90 degree link at the base. It also moves forward and back. One thing for sure it is profusely marked and the fact it is clearly stamped 'Boeing' leads us to surmise, like the other parts we have listed today, this was another crash relic recovered from a B-17 Fortress. In addition to the Boeing l stamp it is marked BE and 43-8755 and elsewhere 43-8743, 43-8756, ALCOA-157R, U 995 and others stamps. So if any visitor to the site can confirm what and where this came from on the aircraft we can add a more authoritative description! Condition is generally good and the mechanism still works and one of the bolts is still wired. Measures 29" (74 cm)
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| Outfit First -Aid For An Airborne Lifeboat - On offer is a scarce wooden case complete with most of its original wartime contents which formed an important part of the standard contents of the RAF's airborne lifeboat system. These were designed by Ufa Fox in 1943 to be dropped from the carrying aircraft (Lockheed Hudson and later Vickers Warwick) to aid the rescue of allied aircrews downed at sea. The lifeboat was 32' in length (10M) and was a wooden canoe shaped craft which came complete with sails and a 4 horsepower engine. When released from the mother aircraft at 700' (210 M) its decent was slowed by six parachutes. On hitting the water these were jettisoned and coamings were inflated to make the boat self-righting. The lifeboats carried a wide range of rescue/emergency equipment including a Gibson Girl transmitter, waterproof suits with insulated linings, rations, signalling devices and of course the first aid kit. Our set is in its original grey painted wooden case which measures 12" x 12" x 4.5" (30 cm x 30 cm x 12 cm) with stencilling to lid 'First Aid Outfit' Stores Reference 9A-02420, a red cross and below 'Airborne Lifeboat'. Whilst the set contains what looks to be the original wartime issue contents we understand this would have been sealed in an inner galvanised lining to protect the medical supplies from the elements. This is now missing but does not detract from a display point of view. Many of the items are wartime dated and carry stamps such as 'H.M.Government March/June 1939' or 'Air Ministry Medical Department January 1944'. The comprehensive contents also include malaria tablets, sun screen and lip salves, essential sea sickness tablets clearly marked 'for Military use only' and much else besides. The inside lid of the case is stamped AM with a Kings Crown and when opened the smell reminds me of my late Grandmothers medicine cabinet! In a lifetime collecting I have never seen another and this is very much a museum grade artefact which most specialist museums would love to own. We can only imagine today the feelings of a downed Bomber Command crew on seeing an airborne lifeboat floating down and it must have felt as close as they could get to the biblical 'Manna from Heaven'. Grab it whilst you can as it certainly won't be with us long!
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| RAF Type H Oxygen Mask - First issued in early 1944 the H mask replaced the earlier G pattern and it remained in RAF service, with minor modifications, for the remainder of the 20th century. This example Stores Reference 6D/2244098 is broad arrow marked and was manufactured in March 1985 and has never been issued. When purchased it came complete in its original packaging with attached documentation that confirmed it was declared 'Serviceable' by 16 Maintenance Unit Stafford when last checked in December 1997! This example is marked 'Small' and is fitted with an Amplivox 13100 microphone and mint communication cord and female plug. A full elastic harness is fitted, again in unissued condition, with snaps and clips to use with RAF C, D & E pattern flying helmets as well as the later G. The harness also features the reversible 'quick connect' loops for use with the later metal oxygen mask hooks. If the mask is required without the elastic webbing harness please contact us for a separate price. Despite now being 31 years old this example is effectively mint and boxed and is in factory fresh condition inside and out. Like all items offered on the site this is for sale as a collectable only, although subject to the correct checks we feel it is highly likely it is still in working condition but we can't guarantee this. These masks are no longer in production so grab the opportunity now to purchase one of the last genuine 'mint and boxed' examples whilst our very limited stocks remain.
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| RAF G type Flying Helmet - Receivers, ear pads and wiring loom fitted. Marked size 2 but fits bigger. 1980 dated, very good condition inside and out.
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| RAF 'C' type Flying Helmet - 2nd pattern with an internal wiring loom introduced into RAF service in 1944. In excellent original condition and named on the elastic chin strap to Fl. Lt. Saunders and again on the inside of the lining, which shows some service staining. It is stamped size 2, 6 7/8 - 7. The loom is in near perfect condition with the correct wartime bell shaped jack plug. Receivers are marked 10A/13466. Overall an excellent example of this classic RAF helmet.
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