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 | Air Ministry Tyre Pressure Gauge by Kismet - Here we have another very fine RAF instrument in its original leather case marked 'Tyre Gauge Kismet Special 20-120 LBS'. The gauge itself is engraved with a crisp AM (Air Ministry) and Kings Crown property mark and 'Kesmet Special Giant Model ' although being quite a modest size we feel this description is a bit of a misnomer! We checked the the patent nos 532760 and this was applied for on 7th September 1939 and this was granted on 30 January 1941 so like other items listed on the site today this instrument almost certainly has a Battle of Britain period provenance. The maker is shown as William Turner & Brothers Ltd of Sheffield. The extending pressure scale covers tyre pressures from 10-120 P.S.I. Whilst this may be in working order for sale here as an RAF collectable only. Measures 5.5" (13.5 cm)
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| Superb 60 Squadron Trench Art Tobacco Barrel - Made from laminated timber almost certainly obtained from a propeller hub from a squadron aircraft, complete with a close fitting lid surmounted by a brass knob. When lifted the interior retains strong and aromatic smell that exudes history! To the front is a hand made copper shield engraved 'No 60 Squadron' and below a detailed image of what we believe to be an SE5/SE5A with which 60 Squadron was equipped with from July 1917 onwards. In March 1918 the assigned markings were changed to 2 white bands painted on the fuselage immediately in front of tailplane. 'A' flight also carried A to F painted behind the fuselage cockade so it reasonable to assume the original owner was with 'A' flight. The shield engraving features these bands, an 'A' flight code and on the tail fin serial nos A 190 so research may reveal the actual aircraft depicted. Below the aircraft engraving is 'RAF' and 'France 1918'. Seeing the RAF were formed on 1 April 1918 this, and the fuselage markings, would indicate this barrel is from or after this date. It also comes with some intriguing provenance. When we purchased it in 2005 we were told it was captured as a war souvenir by a German soldier when Moreuil airfield near Amiens in the Somme region was overrun, having only been abandoned hours before after anything of use to the enemy had been set on fire. 60 Squadron had an illustrious war with Captain W.A. Bishop receiving the Victoria Cross for his solo attack on a German aerodrome and of course Ace Albert Ball VC, DSO, MC, served with 'A Flight' of 60 Squadron in 1916. I have owned this unique artefact in my collection but now after 8 years it is time to find it a new custodian. Measures 7" tall (18 cm) and is 5.5" diameter (14 cm)
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| Luftwaffe LKu 4 Gyro Kompass by Siemens - Whilst no data plate is attached we believe the model number is FL22561 and could have been fitted to the instrument panel of a range of WWII Luftwaffe aircraft including JU-88, He-111 and Me110. This instrument, whilst for sale as a collectors item, seems to be in good clean condition. K 126 is painted on the facia plate with makers details below and on the base it is marked 'Bei eingedrucktem Knopf' and 'Kurssteuerung ausgekuppelt.' The control knob bottom left operates the lower gyro compass card whilst the knob bottom right operates the top card. Below the compass card is a clear window containing a ball bearing which we assume is a turn and bank indicator. The ball moves freely but suspect this window would have originally contained damper oil which is now missing. The back of the instrument shows access for a power source as well as a multi pin male plug connecting point with terminals marked 1-12. The instrument measures 5.25" x 4.75" x 6.75" (14 cm x 12 cm x 16 cm deep.)
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| RAF School of P.T. Uxbridge Course Notebook - Despite its somewhat lacklustre cover the contents of this notebook are superb! It covers the course notes taken by J.S.Wilkinson RAF service nos 542282 who attended number 32 Qualifying Course from 2 August 1938 to 7 October. His Commander is listed as F/Lt A.F.Ingram and Chief instructor is F/O E.J.Bradbury. The course notes, that cover 117 pages, are written in a very neat copperplate script. The notes cover elementary anatomy and physiology and are interspaced with numerous drawings and diagrams including many anatomical drawings, bone structures,, muscles and circulatory system. Part 2 commences with notes relating to Athletics including further sections on Hockey, Athletics, Football, Tennis, Rugby, Pass ball, and comprehensive notes on Boxing. The final two pages, we suspect drawn when the course was over, show a pastoral scene and we guess Pupil Wilkinson was in need of some R & R after a gruelling 2 months hard graft! The Royal Air Force School of Physical Training was formed on the same day as the RAF, 1st April 1918, at RAF College Cranwell. The School of PTI's one of only 2 schools ofthe same age as the RAF still in existence, the other being the Central Flying School. In 1920, the School moved to RAF Uxbridge where it remained until the Second World War. Early in the War the School was closed down - presumably because everyone thought the War would be over by Christmas and there was no need to train more PTI's! Would make a unique gift for any modern day PTI trainee and a reminder of how things were run in the RAF 76 years ago!
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| Trench Art Cigarette case - This example appears to have been made from aircraft alloy and has been finely worked by hand. One side features stylised flowers with a very 1930's deco feel. The reverse carries another flower related pattern with a cartouche in the centre which may have been designed for initials or a name to be inserted but on this one it is blank. The hand made spring catch allows the case to open. Inside is an elastic strip to hold the cigarettes in place. Our feeling is this may have originated in North Africa and made by locals from wartime scrap for sale to the forces as a souvenir but it could also be an example of POW work. Either way it is an excellent example of the genre. Measures 5" x 3" (13 cm x 7.5 cm). Please also check out the other military cigarette cases we are listing today
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| City of London 600 Squadron Plaque - Formed at Northolt in 1925 as a light bomber squadron in the Auxiliary Air Force. Blenheims arrived in January 1939 and was originally intended to operate both in the day and night role. However, the squadron soon adapted to the night fighter role and was one of the first units to use Airborne Interception radar. 600 Squadron served throughout the Battle of Britain flying from Manston, Hornchurch and Redhill. Beaufighters replaced the Blenheims in September 1940 and it continued to operate this type until 1945. With the reactivation of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 600 was reformed on 10 May 1946 at Biggin Hill as a day fighter squadron. It was initially equipped with Spitfires followed by Meteors. It was disbanded again on 10 March 1957. 600 is the only squadron in the RAF to have two official badges, this being one of them! The plaque is mounted on a hardwood shield. Some age fading to paint but generally good used condition. Mounting screw hole to font as shown. Shield measures 7" (17 cm)
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| RAF Staff Car Pennant - These were flown from official RAF staff cars of station commanders of the rank of Wing Commander and above. It is made from woven fabric in RAF blue with an embroidered RAF roundel to the centre The left side has a reinforced loop section for the flag to be fitted on the flag pole. We are told on RAF owned staff cars the flag pole was fitted by means of a screw in base plate that was permanently attached to the vehicle. On lease cars the flag pole was attached via a magnetic base. In generally good flown condition with minor age wear. The pennant is double sided and measures 12.5" x 5.75" (32 cm x 14.5 cm) and the roundel is about 4" diameter (10 cm).
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| Air Ministry Oil Can by T.E. Bladon - A brass example with a curved spout with a threaded tip. The base of the spout is clearly stamped with the makers name T.E.Baldon (who also made oil lamps for the railways). This example carries an impressive Kings Crown and AM (Air Ministry) property mark and is dated 1938 so was clearly used in the RAF and would have served throughout WWII. The reservoir of the can is accessed by a removable threaded plug on the base. On removing this we could still smell traces of the original contents. No doubt this was an essential piece of kit in an RAF 'Erk's' tool box. Sadly no history with this one but no doubt it has a story to tell! Measures 9" (23 cm)
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| RAF Bomb Armourers Tool No7 Mk I - This is the first example of this scarce instrument that we have had here. It is marked on the grip 'Gauge Cavity Detr. A/C Bomb no 7 Mk I', dated 3/41 and also marked C.E.Co. It is also stamped with GN 12 contained within a circle. These tools were used in the arming sheds prior to fitting the fuses and detonators by the armourers to check the cavity in the nose of bombs and also pistol in tail to make sure correct fuse is fitted prior to the ordinance being armed and loaded prior to an 'Op.' Made from solid brass (we assume to avoid sparks) and this would have formed an essential part of an armourer kit. We can supply a period image of the tool in use on request. Measures 8" (20 cm)
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| Royal Flying Corps Map Board Mk I - Manufactured by The General Instrument and Engineering Co. Ltd, London. The back is also stamped with the RFC property mark of an arrow with an 'A' above thus confirming its early provenance. The manufacturer appears to have held a creditors meeting on 7th April 1921 so seems likely our board pre dates the meeting although we understand these continued to be used by the RAF during the 1930's and looking at the design it clearly influenced the far more common WWII map board stores reference 6B/137. The instrument is in excellent original condition and carries a translucent acetate sheet under which the chart would have been retained. Above is a combined protractor and parallel rule, which has a minor crack in it and the set is completed by an alternative end fitting with a different scale. This is the only Mk I board we have been fortunate enough to purchase and like all Flying Corps instruments is both scarce and desirable. Measures 14" x14" (36 cm x 36 cm)
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| WAAF WWII Airwoman's Other Ranks Cap - A very crisp and increasingly hard to find example in a large 7 1/8th size and dated 1942. The cloth is in generally very good condition with just a few very minor darns and fitted with a good kings Crown brass OR badge to the front. The leather peak shows a small amount of general service wear. Inside the crown head lining is missing (as is often the case) but this does not detract. Interestingly under the green inside of the peak is written ACW Bolan as well as a further name ACW Allen and the number 26. Whilst no provenance was included when we purchased this cap we have found on line an ACW Boland who in 1946 stayed at her post when working as a switch girl when the building in which she was working caught fire on her base at Crosby Park, Albion. Having calmly phoned the fire brigade she returned to the blazing hut to save some office files from the inferno. We have a copy of a relating newspaper report headlined 'WAAF Defies flames to call Brigade' with a picture of ACW Bolan wearing her cap. This may or may not be the same one but it would be nice to think it was! With the re enactment season just getting underway this would be a great addition but it would also sit very happily within a serious WWII RAF/WAAF collection. First WAAF cap we have had here for ages so grab it whilst you can!
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| RAF 61 (B) Squadron Presentation Samavar - This is the second example of an RAF presentation samovar of this design we have had in. This one is finely engraved 'No 61 (B) Squadron Presented by Squadron Leader J.G.Macintyre 1939'. No. 61 Squadron was reformed in 1937 as a bomber squadron. In the two years before the war it was equipped with four different types of aircraft, starting with the Hawker Audax, then the Avro Anson, followed by the Bristol Blenheim and finally the Handley Page Hampden, the same aircraft flown by my late Father. The squadron went to war with the Hampden, with the first operation over Germany coming on 24 February 1940. The squadron would spend the rest of the war operating as a night bomber squadron with Bomber Command. We suspect Macintyre presented this item when he left the squadron having been posted to 44 Squadron at Helmswell. Sadly on an Op to Hamburg on 29 July 1940 his aircraft was flying at 8, 000 ft over Hamburg and collided with a barrage balloon cable crashing in the target area. Whilst his crew got out and were captured he died in the crash and it is likely by staying with his crippled aircraft he enabled the crew to live;we will never know. The samovar is made from silver plate and whilst this shows a little wear it is generally in very nice condition and is complete with spirit burner and interior fittings. Measures 12" high (31 cm)
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| RAF 13 Squadron Badge Panel - 13 Squadron was formed in 1915 and took part in both World Wars as well as the first Gulf War. The squadron badge, as painted on this panel, carries the legend "Adjuvamus Tuendo" (We assist by watching.) 13 Squadron have operated a variety of aircraft over the years including the Martinsyde G.100, F.E.2, SPAD VII and XIII, the Sopwith Dolphin, Lysander, Mosquito, Meteor and Canberra. From 1990 it operated the Panavia Tornado but the Squadron was disbanded in 2011 but reformed 2012 flying the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle from RAF Waddington. Whilst we have no specific history with it we were advised by a previous owner the panel had been cut from a Mosquito but we have so far been unable to categorically identify the aircraft type. The panel is constructed from wood with linen doped to the outer side. The varnished interior shows some original framing and numerous construction numbers and we would be happy to supply detailed photographs if anyone can assist us with a firm identification. In the mean time it is offered for sale as an unidentified panel featuring a fine painted badge of RAF 13 Squadron. The panel measures approximately 30"x 24" (76 cm x 61 cm) and would make a superb addition to an aviation collection but would look equally at home on the Mess wall!
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| Lunkenheimer Primer - We believe these were used to prime the engine before starting on aircraft such as Aeronca 7EC, but believe it should fit aircraft such as Luscombe, Cessna, Taylorcraft, Aeroncas and Piper Cubs. The design dates back to the 1940's although we have no idea of the age of ours. This is offered for sale a a collectable but it may be possible to get it back into airworthy condition or could be used for a static rebuild. What you see is what you get with this one! Measures 6" (pump only) 15 cm
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| Trench Art Model Aircraft on oak base - This rather portly model is a mystery and we have to date been unable to ID, so any help welcome! Ideas to date have been a French Moraine or a Russian Yak but neither seem to quite line up. It has been suggested this is a fantasy aircraft but we feel it unlikely not to be based on a real airframe. The model carries 4 gun ports to the leading edge of the wing so clearly a fighter and likely to be WWII. It is very nicely fashioned from aircraft alloy and an unusual detail is the small piece of perspex set into the cockpit. The base is oak and measures 4.5" square (12 cm) and the model stands 3.5" high (9 cm). The wingspan is 6" (14 cm).
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| Jacket Flyers Cold Weather MIL-J-83388E - Featuring a velcro badge to left breast marked with an insignia and below OC and MCWL. Manufactured from 100% Aramid by Alpha Industries Inc. Size is marked Large and we estimate this would fit chest size 42" (107 cm)
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| RAF First Aid Outfit for Air Crews - This example is in near mint condition and is as issued and has never been opened, so is complete with it's original contents. These packs were specifically issued to Aircrew and designed to slip into the field dressing leg pocket of RAF Battledress or flying suit. They were designed primarily to provide emergency treatment for burns and the contents, which is clearly detailed on the rubberised khaki fabric, includes anti- burn mittens, anti-burn jelly, wound dressings, safety pins together with instructions for use. The pack also carries a warning message stating 'Do not use anti-burn jelly with the mittens'. The package had to be torn to open from any of the four corners. Fortunately the owner of this example never had cause to make use of it and unlike many has not been opened post war by inquisitive hands! An identical outfit is illustrated in Mick Prodger's excellent 'Flying Equipment of the Air War 1939-45' on page 108. Nicely stamped with Red Cross and AM and Kings Crown property marks. Slight fading and minor stains but a scarce and complete example. Clearly for sale as a collectors item and not to be used for its original purpose. This example would grace any serious RAF collection.
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| RAF 1943 Pattern Escape Boots with a twist! - This pair was recently purchased in Normandy and show how the 1943 pattern flying boot can be transformed as the designer Major Clayton Hutton of MI9 intended. The leg section has been carefully cut away leaving in place of an obvious pair of aircrew flying boots a 5 eyelet cap Oxford shoe that would not have been out of place in Oxford Street or in the then German occupied Avenue des Champs-Élysées thus giving the downed airman a much better chance of avoiding capture. Clearly we can only speculate on the provenance of this pair but lets hope the owner managed to link up with La Résistance Française and he was able to make a home run leaving only his footwear behind in Normandy! The shoes show signs of wear and interestingly the original leather soles have been repaired with rubber that have hand cut grooves cut into them to give better grip. This could indicate post war civilian use under new ownership! The interior still features the lambs wool lining that would have extended up the original leg to keep the airman warm in flight. It seems the escape knife having performed its intended role was then discarded and is now sadly missing. In line with all 1943 pattern boots no size is marked but we would estimate these to be around a UK size 10-11 (45-46).Few collectors would mutilate an original set of escape boots but here you have the chance to display this set in the 'escape mode' perhaps alongside an 'as issued' pair. The shoe fillers are for display purposes only and are not included in the sale.
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| RAF Type 'D' Flying Gauntlets - a really top quality matched pair carrying broad arrow marked labels confirming stores reference nos 22C/769 for the left glove and 22C/772 for the right. They also both carry the same code 10440 indicating unlike many RAF wartime flying gloves they have never been mismatched. These are a large size 10 and whilst they were designed to be worn as part of the D heated system with electrically wired inners they were often used alone or with unheated silk inners. This set would be impossible to upgrade with very soft light tan leather in virtually unmarked condition.
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| Trench Art Plexiglas Table Lamp - A most unusual, decorative and useful item. The base and stem are all made from material salvaged from aircraft canopy acrylic. The base is in octagonal form and has a King's Crown RAF sweetheart badge applied to it with a matching octagonal fitting to the top of the stem. The lamp has just been rewired with modern braided cable together with a new lamp holder. The lampshade fitted is for photographic purposes only and is not included in the sale. Height 15" (38 cm)
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