| Reference |
Stock Item |
|
Description |
|
|
 |
 | Luftwaffe Officers Fliegermetze Side cap - A fine officers private purchase example in the standard 'Schiffchen' or boat shape. The design was originally adopted in 1935 and was specified to be used when other forms of head-dress was not required to be worn by regulations. Whilst not technically flight clothing they were often taken on operational flights so in the event of being captured aircrew could still be appropriately dressed! This example was originally purchased from one of our customers and has since been in my personal collection. It is made in blue-grey wool of a better grade than used on Other Ranks caps and remains in excellent condition. It comes with silver cord piping on top of the turn-up signifying for officers use and it carries a machine embroidered Luftwaffe eagle and national cockade below. Both are hand stitched to the cap. Inside is equally clean and is lined with a blue-grey cotton twill. It does not have a makers mark and the only stamping is the size which is 55. This example, like many Officers caps of this design, does not have a sweat band is fitted. Like all items offered off our site this is fully guaranteed as an original item and we believe it would be hard to find a crisper example.
|
|
|
 |
| 20MM Aircraft Cannon Feed Shute - We were advised by the previous owner this item was originally fitted to a De Havilland Mosquito, although this pattern was used on a number of wartime and early post war aircraft. It has numerous numbers stamped on it including C207027 ISIS & AST316 in a circle and W3 in another circle. The shute has a sprung catch arrangement and it looks to be in generally excellent used condition but for sale purely as a collectable. Measures 11" (28 cm).
|
|
|
 |
| WWII Blitz Ashtray Made Of Stone Recovered From The Houses of Parliament - The London Stonecraft Company were permitted to make souvenirs for sale to the general public to raise funds on behalf of HRH The Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Fund. The objects they produced included bookends, inkwells, letter racks, ashtrays and serviette rings and they utilised stones recovered from historic bombed London buildings including the House of Commons after being bombed by the Luftwaffe in the London Blitz in 1940 and 1941. They also used historic stone from other damaged London buildings particularly from the East End that was very badly hit. Our ashtray is made from Portland Stone and a hand written label stating 'Made from the bombed houses of Parliament 1941' is attached to the base. The edge of the astray features stone in the rough and is dressed stone to top ; the base is covered in felt. The centre of the ashtray carries a British Lion and below the legend 'London 1941'. From our research the Houses of Parliament were bombed by the Luftwaffe on 20th September 1940, 8th December the same year and again on 10/11 May 1941 a raid which caused the greatest damage to the Palace of Westminster. Interestingly The House of Lords had more luck in being struck by a bomb which passed through the floor of the Chamber without exploding! Our ashtray measures 6" diameter and stands 1.25" tall (15 cm x 3 cm) The lead seal shows minor age wear (as shown in our picture) but this does not detract form a historical souvenir from the darkest days of WWII.
|
|
|
 |
| Russian Aviators Face Mask - We were advised when purchased this mask was used by airmen in exposed crew positions to insulate the face and prevent frostbite and that it dates from circa WWII. We would not profess to be experts on Soviet era flying kit so we will leave it to prospective purchasers to ascertain exactly what we have here. We have however been able to match the mask very closely with a Russian example in an aviation museum so the facts look to be correct. It does not carry a makers label to give any clues although on the elastic straps are two ink stamps but these are not very clear but we can make out a '40' that might indicate a manufacturing date of 1940? The mask itself is in excellent condition and made from soft tan leather with the inside being lined with short hair fur as found on a small rodent. So if you are into Russian flight clothing (or S & M! this one could be for you!
|
|
|
 |
| WAAF Tunic and Skirt - Another item from the small WAAF collection we have in. Here the tunic jacket appears to be an original item and we believe dates to WWII and unlike the other tunic we have listed today has not been 're-clocked'!.It carries a makers label, now somewhat faded, reading M.Walker Ltd, 47 Albemarle Street, London. The rest has faded away over the years. Below in white ink is B 36 and W 30 which we assume to be the bust and waist sizing. The jacket is to WWII specification with brass Kings Crown buttons (made by Gaunt) and a brass belt buckle. The tunic shows some service wear and moth nips but generally in decent display condition. The skirts that came with it is of later manufacture and carries an MOD label stating 'Skirt Woman's Blue-Grey 1972 Pattern'. The size is marked as 67/64/96; we have no idea what this means but it is small! It was made by Watts & stone Ltd. This again shows some service wear and like the tunic could benefit from a dry clean. Check our the other WAAF related items that came in with this set which we are also listing today.
|
|
|
 |
| Air Ministry Binoculars for Night Use - This design is referred to as 'Husan Pilot' Pattern and are for low light use. No makers details are shown but we understand them to be by Henry Hughes and come complete with issue leather case and neck strap. The design is based on the 1920's Galilean pattern and their low x2.5 magnification and 10° field of view combined with 50 mm objectives gave them exceptional performance in low light. For this reason they were used for various purposes in WWII including use by RAF aircrew (including Pathfinder Squadrons)and also were also issued to Airborne Glider pilots, the Parachute Regiment and Special Forces including those involved in D-Day 'Operation Market Garden'. We can provide a copy image of Maj. Gen. 'Boy' Browning with an identical pair around his neck! hese binoculars were clearly issued for RAF use and are marked Ref 6E/338 and carry a Kings Crown and AM stamp. The same detail is repeated on the case together with 'Binoculars for night Use.' The optics are crisp and the central focus sharp. The black finish on the heavy brass case shows wear commensurate with their age;the Bakelite eye cups again show minor age related wear. It is rare to find an Air Ministry marked example of these desirable wartime binoculars so grab the opportunity to purchase whilst you can! This is only the second set we have had here in the last 10 years!
|
|
|
 |
| Airplane Mooring Kit Type D -1 - We currently have listed on the site a similar kit which is complete in its fitted canvas case. This one is missing the case but the contents are complete so if you happend to have an empty D-1 Airplane Mooring Kit case this could be exactly what you are looking for; alterntively if you need a set to use this one is for you. The full contents are as shown so waht you see is waht you get. Whilst we stand to be corrected we believe this set was manufactured in the US and was designed to tether aircraft to the ground to avoid them flipping over in a wind. The other suggestion is the kit was designed for mooring seaplanes of the USN but we tend to believe the former use is more likely. In searching on the net we found someone else who found a similar set in the US commented:- 'Turns out we stumbled on an Airplane Mooring Case and contents Type D-1 36G4465. Part of the equipment package the US Army Air Force required with the WACO aircraft specification in 1936'. The kit is made up of x18 spikes and we understand the other rods and turning handles were designed to fix the spiked ends securely into the ground on an airfield to enable the aircraft (Waco or otherwise! to be tethered to the ground with the coir rope provided. Of course if you have been inspired by E.L.James blockbuster novel this set could then take on a whole new use! he metal parts show some storage and age staining but otherwise in excellent original condition.
|
OC371 
|
 |
| HMS Victorious Commissioning Book 1966-1967 Another commissioning book published by Gale & Polden Portsmouth. The cover shows age staining and fading front and back and the spine shows wear. Despite this the 99 pages are clean and this historic book is perfectly readable despite the passing years. Masses of photographs and cartoons and a comprehensive record of life on board this famous carrier during 'the swinging sixties'. If you or family members served on board at this time this is one from the bookshelf remembering the times when the Senior Service had proper fixed wing carriers in the Fleet!
Pages: 99
Cover: Hard
Author: Captain T.S.McIntosh & the Ships Company
|
OC370
|
 |
| HMS Ark Royal 1970-1973 6th Commissioning Book Privately Printed in 1973 and profusely illustrated with photographs & drawings. The maroon front and back cloth cover shows some age related rippling but inside the pages are very clean and the bindings firm. The book was published for the officers and ratings of the aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL and marks the ship's sixth commission between 1970 and 1973. Over this period she made four Mediterranean deployments, three voyages to the West Indies, and three cruises in the Norwegian Sea. The Cold War was still in being and the infamous KOTLIN incident took place. The Soviet destroyer was shadowing ARK ROYAL but came too close and collided with the carrier. The combined efforts of Royal Naval ships and the KOTLIN rescued five of the seven Russian sailors who fell overboard on impact. The commission also saw ARK ROYAL called upon to display her power at Belize, and she made visits to Florida and New York in addition to taking part in NATO exercises. A fine reminder of a fine ship and a perfect addition to the library of a crew member or their family.
Pages: 116
Cover: Hard
Author: Captain A.D.Cassidi, A.D.C. & The Sh
|
2136
|
 |
| The battle of Britain This 50th-anniversary commemorative volume published in 1990, includes first-hand experiences of those engaged in the greatest air battle in history. The book, which is lavishly illustrated documents all aspects of the 1940 Battle of Britain. This on line feedback describes this book better than I can: 'Without doubt this is the best introductory text on the Battle of Britain. It gives a very good narrative of the Battle and even the preliminary Phoney War and Battle of France. Major aircraft of the Battle and their armament are also included with technical descriptions, and cutaway illustrations. The book also covers tactics (especially those of the RAF from group down to squadron level, and how Sector Controllers marshalled the Battle), the RAF's use of RDF (radar), a diary of the Battle, a roll of RAF aircrew involved, and all of this is supplemented with a vast amount of very good period photographs. Overall a marvellous book which should be the first port of call for any reader wishing to learn about this most pivotal of air battles. Very highly recommended'. In addition to all this many of 208 pages illustrate in significant detail the flight clothing and equipment used by both the RAF and Luftwaffe back in the summer of 1940. So all in all an excellent volume for both the historian or aviation collector to add to the library. The dust cover has minor marks but all in all and excellent example.
Pages: 208
Cover: Hard
Author: Richard Townshend Bickers
|
3972
|
 |
| The Men of The Battle of Britain Men of the Battle of Britain was first published in 1989. This is a second edition published in 1999 to commemorate the 60th anniversary. It acknowledged worldwide as the standard work of reference giving career details of the Allied airmen who qualified for the "immediate" award of the 1939-1945 Star with Battle of Britain Clasp. The book records the service details of the airmen who took part in the Battle of Britain in considerable detail including their RAF service numbers. Where known, postings and their dates are included, as well as promotions, decorations and successes claimed flying against the enemy. There is also much personal detail, often including dates and places of birth, civilian occupations, dates of death and place of burial or, for those with no known grave, place of commemoration. There are many wartime head-and-shoulders photographs. Inevitably the high achievers who survived tend to have the longest entries, but those who were killed very quickly, sometimes even on their first sortie, are given equal status. The author KENNETH G. WYNN was born in London and was at school there during the Battle of Britain. He later served in the RAF, before moving to New Zealand, where he has lived for many years. He has written books on New Zealand holders of the Battle of Britain Clasp, the Charge of the Light Brigade and U-boats. This is a book I have had in my own library for many years and would commend it to anyone with a serious interest in the men behind the most important air battle in history. Amazon currently have just 4 copies of this hard to find edition second hand at prices from £120-£200. We have just this one example here and at a significant saving! Our example is second hand but looks to be in virtually as new condition even down to the dust cover.
Pages: 585
Cover: Hard
Author: Kenneth G.Wynn
|
|
|
 |
| Aircraft Rating- Certificate of Test Rubber Stamp - An original rubber stamp which we imagine would have been used to stamp a log book to certify the person named had passed the appropriate test of his ability to act as pilot in command (P1) or co-pilot of the designated type of aircraft detailed. Spaces detailed for a signature, date and the Civil Aviation Authority Authorisation number. The final wording confirms 'This certificate is valid for 13 months from the date of the test shown above'.The stamp appears to have a decent age to it although we are unsure how old it is. Would add an air of authenticity to an aviation desk or display! We don't have an ink pad here but the rubber looks to be in good condition. Stamp measures 4"x 2.25" (10 cm x 6 cm)
|
|
|
 |
| USAAF B-1 Shearling Flight Trousers - An original set with label fitted indicating 'Property of Air Force U.S.Army' and manufactured by Perry Sportswear Inc of Newburgh, N.Y. with specification number 94-3085 and A.C.Order nos 4212686 P. The size is marked as Large and the hanging chain is still in place. They are actually in good original condition and the leather is soft and pliable and the shearling lining is sound. They have never had leg pockets fitted. We believe however this set were probably degraded at the end of the war when they came out of service and a knife cut put into into the top right thigh and the braces removed to stop them being re used used ; just one brace strap and buckle remains. We have cemented up the very clean knife cut and they are fine for display and would be ideal on a mannequin. The Conmar zips fitted to the fly and ankles are all original and whilst a little stiff are all functioning correctly. Whilst these are certainly not a mint example we have seen a lot worse and in a scarce large size.
|
|
|
 |
| RAF Faygate Presentation Cigarette Case - Featuring finely engraved RAF King's Crown wings to lid and a dedication below "To F/Lt J Edwards from Officers, NCO's, Airman & Airwomen of Salvage Section 49 MU RAF Faygate 1945". Faygate, situation in West Sussex, was where crashed German aircraft were recovered to for evaluation with some being restored to flying condition. Subsequently, they were reprocessed for scrap wth many continuing to serve with the RAF! We presume this box was presented to Fl/Lt Edwards perhaps on leaving RAF Faygate in 1945. The silver is hallmarked London and dates to 1944. Some minor knocks but in generally in very nice original condition with a teak fitted interior. Measures 7" x 3.5" (18 cm x 9 cm)
|
|
|
 |
| RFC Period Trench Art Bookshelf - A very attractive example made from the tips of an early laminated propeller. Sadly we have no provenance with it but looking at the shape and construction of the salvaged timber we would date to WWI Royal Flying Corps period. The bookshelf has simple clean cut lines and is in excellent condition and would make a unique and practical Christmas present for the aviation enthusiast in your life! It measures 13" long and stands 8" high (33 cm x 20 cm)
|
|
|
 |
| RAF K Type Dinghy Mast, Sail and Storage case - the original K life raft was introduced in January 1942 as a single man boat which was simply paddle powered or more likely simply drifted with the current. One year later a mast and sail were added to the kit to enable the dingy to be sailed down wind and so increase the chance of rescue. The telescopic alloy mast, sail and rigging lines would all have been stored in the dingy pack, a fine example of which we are also listing today. The mast, stores reference 27C/2054, is made from seven light alloy metal tubes which telescope to a minimum length of 15" (38 cm) and when extended, the 66" (69m) for storage. The head of the mast is fitted with a flange to which three stabilising shrouds are connected. The lower end is plugged and fits into the recess provided for it on the thwart. This example is complete and in exceptional condition with no issues. The red cotton sail Stores reference 27C/2085 is equally good with just a couple minor stains and is in the form of an isosceles triangle. The instructions for use are always to hand being printed on the back of the sail! All rigging lines and sheets are in place and all in apparently unused condition. To complete the set we also have the very scarce issue storage bag Stores reference 27C/2056. Made from red cotton, this was used to store the mast, guy lines and sail within the seat pack types A, Mk II and III & 111* The case is fully stamped with basic instructions and stores reference number. This is a very complete and scarce set in fine condition and would display perfectly with an appropriate seat pack or could provide the finishing touch if you are lucky enough to own an appropriate RAF K life raft.
|
|
|
 |
| RAF Gosport tubes Stores Reference Nos 6F/154 - a good original set with interesting provenance. The Bakelite earpieces are both marked with the RAF stores reference number, Kings Crown and AM property mark. The swivel connections work fine and the cloth covered metal tubes arein generally good shape with one minor abrasion mark. The aluminium plug on the opposite end is again in good condition with signs of normal service wear. Unusually this pair is fitted with a rubber tubes near each earpiece, perhaps added to avoid abrasion from the flying helmet. This set came from the estate of a famous French pilot, M. Victor Mérentier, originally from Marseille. He helped establish between 1927-1929 the first aero postal routes around the world and in particular from France to Africa, then over Atlantic to the USA together with his colleagues Mermoz, Saint-Exupéry and Guillaumet, all legends in their home country. We are unclear if he served in WWII perhaps with the Free French as that might explain why he was in possession of Air Ministry property!
|
|
|
 |
| WWII British Military Issue Handcuffs by R.C.S. - this set are very well built in the backstrap Derby style. Whilst not our specialist area we understand this pattern were designed to restrain the strongest and hardest men in wartime. The handcuffs are marked on the barrel with 20 and below R.C.S 1941, indicating they were made by Ruben, Craddock & Sons for wartime use in 1941. They are also marked with a broad arrow property mark and 86 thus confirming their military provenance. The single key is marked 260 on both sides. The locking mechanism works perfectly despite being being 72 years old and the metal shows a wonderful vintage patina. This set would make a welcome addition to a specialist or general military collection. I have a near identical example in my own collection which are 1943 dated and Air Ministry marked so it is quite possible these also served with the RAF but we can't say for sure which of the services they were issued to. Measure 9.5" (24 cm)
|
|
|
 |
| RAF Propeller tip relic - We purchased this item privately and the story handed down within the family was that it was recovered from a WWII crash site in Yorkshire and came from a propeller fitted to an Airspeed Oxford. Whilst we can not authenticate this provenance we do have a complete Oxford propeller just in and the shape and dimensions certainly seem to conform to support this story. The tip, which is in very good condition seeing what it has been through, is made from laminated hardwood and is then covered in a doped fabric and is finished in original RAF colour of black with a yellow tip and with the benefit of a polished brass leading edge. The tip measures 16" long (41 cm) and 6 1/2" across at the base (16 cm) so a perfect display size in an appropriate collection and certainly easier to post than the full sized version!
|
|
|
 |
| A pair of original WWII Blitz bookends made from Historic Portland Stone - The London Stonecraft Company were permitted to make souvenirs for sale to the general public to raise funds on behalf of HRH The Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Fund. The objects they produced included bookends, inkwells, letter racks, ashtrays and serviette rings and they utilised stones recovered from historic bombed London buildings including the House of Commons after being bombed by the Luftwaffe in the London Blitz in 1940 and 1941. They also used historic stone from other damaged London buildings particularly from the East End that was very badly hit. Whilst we don't know for sure where this stone originated, we believe it likely to be taken from The Houses of Parliament, a fact possible endorsed by the Bulldog motif which is often associated with our then Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The bookends measure 6" high x 4 1/2" wide and x 2" deep (15 cm x 12 cm x 5 cm) and have lead plaques applied to the front and as well as the 'British Bulldog' they are also cast with 'London 1941.' It appears they may have originally had a felt base but is now missing. They have the odd chip and other marks which could be original battle damage as these were not made from pristine quarried stone. Due to their weight they are very functional and perfect for a small military or historical book shelf but do check delivery costs with us before order, particularly if you are based outside of the UK. Please also check out the Stonecraft ashtray which came from the same collection which we are also listing today.
|
