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Aviation Collectables & Aviation Clothing - Stock Archive - Page 1
These are some of the SOLD items that have been listed on our website
There are a maximum of 20 items on each page - our most recent sale is listed first - this is now quite a large reference record.
If you have a specific interest, use our keyword search to search the entire stock database.
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 | Royal Naval Air Service WWI Flying Filter Goggles - Probably the scarcest pattern of all aviator googles from any period worldwide. It is believed very few were made and it has been speculated they may never have developed further than the experimental stage and so few have survived today that most museums do not have a set on display. The only other example we have been able to locate is part of the Yale Peabody Museum's collection in the US. When Mick Prodger published his classic reference work 'Vintage Flying Helmets' he was unable to source a set for inclusion. It is understood they were experimental when first issued to Royal Naval Air Service pilots in about 1917. Each set was contained within a custom made wooden case that held 8 pairs of coloured lenses (or officially designated "light filters") that were intended to assist with locating and spotting enemy ships and submarines from the air under different conditions. Some were for looking through haze, whilst others were for spotting oil on the surface of the water, or again for locating U Boat shadows under the water or even enemy gun flashes over the trenches, where RNAS pilots served with distinction alongside their RFC colleagues. The set when issued included an instruction manual giving directions for use and the most appropriate filters to use depending on operational area and prevailing light conditions.
This superb example is complete and despite being over 100 years old appears to be in unissued condition. They were discovered in a building close to Kalafrana on the southernmost tip of Malta, which was a seaplane base between 1917 and 1946, when it was transferred to the Royal Navy. In WWII RAF Kalafrana was home to 228 Squadron flying Sunderland's and remained in use until the 1960's. Clearly these are the flying goggles that time forgot, until recently re discovered. The booklet shows some aging and the staples are rusted but is still readable and indicates a print date of December 1917. Seeing the historical value of the booklet and its somewhat tender state we have had a very convincing replica reprinted that can be read without fear of damaging the original and both are included within the grouping. The original wooden transit box is sound and as well as the two pairs of filters currently fitted to the goggles it comes with a further 6 filters thus making up the full set. Each pair of filters is numbered and whilst showing some age related wear and fading it is amazing they have survived at all. The goggles themselves are virtually mint and the tan leather is still soft and pliable; the cloth bound edge is fur lined and remains pristine, as are the face pads. The olive drab fabric backstrap is complete but has lost its elasticity over the last 100 years and now needs to be handled carefully; this would have been secured behind the users head by means of a metal ring and hook..
This RNAS issue set is undoubtedly a museum quality item that rarely, if ever, appears for sale on the collectors market. This is therefore an opportuinity that is unlikely to ever be repeated.
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| RAF Old Pattern Stable Belt - Like the Officers gloves we have listed today these came in from the same source and is believed to have been issued to the same gentleman. The stable belt originates from when cavalrymen would place the surcingle around the waist when cleaning the stables. In the 1950s their use spread to all branches of the British armed forces, adding a splash of colour and individuality to the drab khaki working uniforms. Initially they were resisted by many senior officers, who saw them as too individualistic, but they soon became accepted throughout the forces.
This example was manufactured prior to 2007, when a buckled version was introduced and in all probability dates back to the 1970's. It has been used but remains in remarkably good condition with just very minor service wear to the leather straps. No size or other makings are shown but it is adjustable and we would estimate it would adjust out to fit a waist size of 34" or smaller (86 cm).
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| Royal Flying Corps Issue 'Featherweight' Flying Goggles - Whilst not marked with makers details, this fine set is of the Triplex design. The 'Triplex, Goggle Mask and Lens Co., Ltd', was set up separately from 'Triplex Safety Glass Co. Ltd' when the latter's 'A. B. Aero Mask' was adopted by the British Government for the RFC in 1916 and it seems likely this early set dates from this time. The design certainly featured in advertisements taken out by Triplex in 'Flight' magazine in 1916, which were made available with either clear or tinted lenses.
Our example is of the latter type and the lenses, that are in immaculate condition, carry a pale yellow tint. The chromed metal frame is hinged over the nose bridge, with sprung fabric sides and fur fitted on the inside, for added comfort. What lifts this set from the scarce to the exceptionally rare is that they carry the RFC aviation issue property mark of a Broad Arrow over an 'A' to the top of each lens frame. The majority of this pattern of goggles seems to have been private purchase items, whilst others may well have been used for early motoring. We can however guarantee this set was issued to Royal Flying Corps aircrew, and these are the first example so marked we have ever seen. Whilst we have no detail of the owner they came in with his nearly as scarce 'Fowndes' pattern gauntlets and his private purchase flying helmet, and were used together in WWI. The set is fitted with an elasticated adjustable backstrap that shows signs of service wear and whilst it has lost much of its elasticity it is fine for display purposes, and is complete with metal adjusters.
This pattern was the precursor to the RAF 'Mk II' pattern goggles, introduced in 1928 and despite being obsolete by WWII it remained current up until the Battle of Britain in 1940. The RAF Mk II is now a very scarce set itself but these RFC issue 'Featherweight' goggles are very much scarcer. This is a one-off opportunity that we are unlikely to ever be able to repeat, so grab the chance to add them to your collection whilst you can!
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| Royal Flying Corps Private Purchase Flying helmet by Dunhill - In WWI manufacturers and retailers cottoned on to the new and urgent demand for quality flight clothing. In the early stages of WWI virtually no issue kit existed so until the Ministry pulled their socks up those who could afford it had to rely on commercial sources. The Dunhill advertisement attached at the end of our listing is interesting. It is a copy of an original ad from 'Aeroplane' magazine and is dated 1917. It is quite clear Dunhill were by then offering flight clothing made to ministry patterns and specifications and you can see RFC pattern flying gauntlets, Fug Boots, Mk I goggles mask and Triplex lightweight goggles illustrated. Even when issue items came on stream some (mainly Officers) preferred to purchase privately themselves in the hope of getting better quality and as a result the dividing line between issue and private purchase kit is often blurred. In the advertisement the' flying cap ' shown is of very similar design to our example.
Our helmet remains in remarkably original condition, despite probably being over 100 years old. The full grain leather remains soft and flexible, the stitching is strong and no damage or repairs. The helmet is partially fur lined with blanket lining in the crown. Generally, the fur is good with just slight moulting in places. The chin strap is spot on and all the metal eyelets are unusually still in place. The buckle is near mint condition and in itself is interesting as it is the larger size and leather covered. On RFC issue helmets the Ministry insisted on leather covered buckles (we assume due to metal freezing at 10,000' in winter) and this is a feature Dunhill have clearly incorporated from the issue pattern. The font flap is held in the up position by a stud and can be raised or lowered according to preference; the female popper is marked ADR-England.
Inside the helmet is equally good. The fabric lining shows light service wear only and the woven Dunhill's label is a real bonus so we know the helmets origins and with a quality London brand like Dunhill it is likely to have been an expensive helmet back in the day. Sadly it is not named and we have no provenance with this example. Whilst the size is not marked the helmet would equate to about a size 58. The Triplex 'lightweight' pattern goggles shown in the opening picture are for display purposes only and are not included in this sale.
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| Royal Flying Corps 'Double-Gauntlet' Fownes Flying Gloves - This very scarce pattern was designed and patented in 1907 by Henry Urwick, the son of one of the Fownes Brothers owners. Fownes was established in Worcestershire, a prosperous glove making region in England, back in 1777 and they remain in business to this day. In the early days of aviation very little flight clothing was available to combat the bitter cold of an open cockpit at 5,000 or 10,000 feet and aircrew mainly resorted to the civilian market for their needs, with motoring clothing being the first port of call. The Fownes design however was specifically created for use by fledgling RFC aircrew and continued as an issue item in the early days of the RAF.
The unique design Urwick created is effectively a two in one glove with the inner part being an ordinary glove with thumb and fingers, whilst the outer section was in the form of a mitten, that covers the inner finger section but could be folded back when needed to aid access to flight controls and critically to operate machine guns. The pattern immediately proved popular with aircrews, where frostbite was a constant and deadly threat, exacerbated by the windchill factor created at speeds of 70-80 MPH. This pair was issued, we believe, to the same airman as the RFC goggles, we have just listed and whilst showing clear signs of significant service use, yet despite their age remain in remarkably good display condition. The tan leather is soft and supple and the seams are sound. The inner palm area and the top 'mittern' section are more soiled, as you would expect. The metal studs to secure the mitten in the folded position remain in situ but now carry some age-related Verdigris. The inner fleece lining has now been worn away. The leather lining of the gauntlet section remains very clean and is clearly size stamped '8/2' in two places and further manufacturers details, that now largely indecipherable, but appear to show Patent detail, Made in England and we suspect originally the company name.
We are indebted to Mark Hillier's excellent 'Royal Flying Corps Kit Bag' reference book (which should be in the reference library of every serious RFC collector), for much of the above information and where the Fownes design is fully described and illustrated on pages 61-65. In 20 years as a dealer and in a lifetime as a collector this is a first for us and perhaps the rarest of all aviators flying gloves, where often the origins are impossible to pin down. No such doubt exists here and this set represents a one-off opportunity to add these to your collection.
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| Ladies CC41 'Utility Clothing' Fur Gloves - The CC41 Utility logo was a British Board of Trade requirement that appeared on footwear, utility furniture, textiles, and utility clothing for just over ten years from 1941. CC41 designated that the item met the government's austerity regulations. By 1941, with the need to produce clothing and other war essentials for the expanding armed services during the Second World War, many items were rationed. Certain raw materials could no longer be imported, and those that could were directed towards the war effort. In addition, the U boat threat and the Battle of the Atlantic resulted in shortages of both raw materials and finished goods. The scheme was therefore designed to encourage economy of production, rather than restricting commercial endeavour and encouraged manufacturers to specify a more leanly specified version.
The utility mark also meant that the item was tax free, which appealed to the public, so there was a greater incentive to produce items to this standard. The iconic logo was designed by a commercial artist called Reginald Shipp and is in the form of two 'cheeses' that look rather like the letter 'C'. A number of theories have been put forward as to what the 'CC41' stood for with some stating it stands for 'Civilian Clothing', others for 'Controlled Commodity'. The government introduced the 'Limitation of Supply Orders' that forced manufacturers to produce only a fraction of their pre-war amounts and CC41 goods represented cheap, but reliable goods.
Our gloves carry a clear CC41 label sewn into the left glove that indicates that they date from between 1941 and 1952 when the scheme was finally discontinued. Despite them qualifying as 'utility clothing ' they are actually made from very good materials including real fur inside and out with grain leather used on the palms and fingers. No size is marked but fit nicely on an average ladies hand and are both stylish and warm. The previous lady owner used them in the front cockpit of her husband's Tiger Moth but they would be equally useful in an open top classic car and of course they are perfect for a CC41 collector. Whist of a later date, similar gloves were used by RFC aviators in WWI. This pair remains are in fantastic original condition that belies their age.
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| RAF Fazakerley Ephemera and Photographs - A modest but interesting grouping! We have struggled to find much on RAF Fazakerley on line other than the name 'Fazakerley' comes from the Anglo-Saxon words 'faes', meaning border or fringe, 'aecer' meaning field and 'lea', meaning a clearing in a wood. Situated near Liverpool the Fazakerley family were the main landowners in the area, and took their name from the township. Clearly Liverpool was severely bombed in the Blitz and the camp at RAF Fazakerley, located at Field Lane, was certainly functioning as a base for No 8 Barrage Balloon Centre, in August 1940 and supported 6 flights and 8 balloons. A Royal Ordinance Factory was located close by and we suspect they had a busy war!
The grouping is made up of a hand painted card marked Royal Air Force, a Kings Crown and laurel leaf crest and Fazakerley below, picked out in yellow paint. Inside is a period wartime black and white picture of an RAF Sergeant smoking a pipe, with a wireless operator trade badge to his right shoulder The card is dedicated inside with a hand written 'Best Wishes to all' and a signature we have been unable to decipher. The Sgt has an impressive medal bar and we believe he may also have served in WWI.
The other plain card mount contains a further photograph of we believe the same gent, also with pipe and the back is dedicated 'Many happy memories' and behind the photo the card is dated 10th September 1940 and is signed Cpl Lavender, although again we are not entirely sure as the handwritting is hard to decipher. This photograph, clearly taken before he got his extra stripe, indicates a blackboard with Morse code detail so we assume at this stage he was teaching Morse to RAF radio operators. This is confirmed by two large morse tansmitters keys being located on the table infront of him.
Worthy of further research and snap shots (literally) from the Battle of Britain period from a little heard of RAF station of WWII.
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| Luftwaffe/ Fallschirmjager Parachute Carry Bag - Standard issue for both Luftwaffe aircrew and also Fallschirmjager troops and designed to carry both parachutes and harnesses. Made of coarse light brown hessian or burlap material with webbing handles and green cotton reinforced edges. These were fastened by 'Lift the Dot' fasteners that are stamped 'Zieh Hier' (literally 'Pull Here').The reverse side is stamped DRP indicating, Deutsche Reichs Patent or German National Patent. This example is also embossed to the top flap with the Luftwaffe stores reference number Fl 30220. The bag is empty and has simply been display stuffed for photographic purposes. It is generally in excellent issued condition with just minor wear to the inner green edging material but this is hidden when closed. Measures 16" x 16"x 13" (40 cm x 40 cm x 33 cm)
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| RAF Type 48 Magnetic Oxygen Mask Microphone - A standard WWII example of the type fitted to the E, E* and G pattern oxygen masks. It carries an embossed stores reference code 10A/12570 to the face plate as well as the microphone 'On' and 'Off' switch. The microphone is wired up with a wartime specification flecked short cord and a two pin female connector to plug into an internally wired RAF C, D or E pattern flying helmet. A near identical example is shown on page 46 top left of Mick Prodger's excellent Luftwaffe V RAF Flight clothing book. We discovered a small quantity of these in a forgotten warehouse and these appear to never have been issued. Other than a minor storage marks they are in near perfect condition. Interestingly the box in which this example was discovered has written outside 'checked 30/6/44' and below a further check date of 22/11/44. Like all our kit for sale as a collectable but we would not be surprised if this is not still in good working order -despite the passing of 77 years!
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| Supermarine S-6 Craftsman Made Model Aircraft - The Supermarine S.6 was designed in the 1920's by R. J. Mitchell as a single-seat racing seaplane for the RAF High Speed Flight and was built by Supermarine specifically for the Schneider Trophy races. In its first event in 1929 Flying Officer H. R. D. Waghorn flew N247 at a speed of 328.63 mph came first, in a course record time. By 1931 the British team set a new world speed record 380 mph and with a third straight win the trophy was won outright and in perpetuity. R J Mitchell used much of the knowledge gained with the S.6 in developing the Supermarine Spitfire and the rest, as they say, is history!
Our model is small but beautifully formed. It is quite clear this is a one off handmade model, probably produced in a workshop at the time utilising scrap aluminium and mounted on a display stand possibly made from Paxolin. The float struts are riveted through the wings and whilst the starboard one has a slight wobble it is absolutely fine on display The fuselage detail and open cockpit are all correct with distinctive engine nacelles designed to house the 1,900 hp Rolls-Royce R engine. The underside of the fuselage confirms the wings have been made from a separate section of metal and is bolted to the fuselage. The polished aluminium of the airframe and the stand support show some age related staining but generally it has survived in excellent original condition and the propeller still turns.
Many of these S.6 models were commercially produced as car bonnet radiator mascots. We do not believe this applies here as it is clearly handmade, as described above. It makes a very fine decorative display model today, despite being in the region of 90 years old, and representing a design that paved the way for the most iconic fighter of all time. Wingspan measures 5.75" (14.5 cm) and the model stands 4" (10.5 cm) high from base to top of the fin.
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| Cruver North American P-51 D Mustang Recognition Model - On offer is an original aircraft identification model, made by the Cruver Manufacturing Company of Chicago. These "recognition models" (also known as "ID" or "spotter" models) were developed after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. They were seen as critical to the war effort and helped familiarise both aircrew and ground defence personnel to recognise the outlines of planes from all possible angles. Most of these models were simply finished in black to simulate a silhouette in the night sky. The concept was copied from similar models used to train RAF and civilians in aircraft recognition and so minimise 'friendly fire' incdents.
Cruver Manufacturing Co of Chicago began making novelty objects out of plastic in the early 1900s. In 1922 the Cruver was purchased by G. M. Proud and during WWII they made precision military electronics in addition to ID models. These spotter aircraft were made from Cellulose Acetate, an early form of plastic. In the passing years since WWII many have degraded badly and at best have become distorted and at worst simply 'melted' and fallen apart. This example however has avoided this fate and remains in pristine original condition. The model is embossed on the centre bottom of the wing 'U. S. A. P51-D' and on the flap a 'C' in a circle that was the Curver Company trade mark;in addition, it is dated 4-45. The model carries a hole in the cockpit canopy so it could be suspendered to show how it would look in simulated flight. The wingspan is 6" (15.5 cm) and the model length is 5" (13.5 cm). The detail of the model is picked out in silver paint and is a fine example that would sit happily in any collection.
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| RAF War Service Dress blouse - Universally know as 'battledress' and first introduced to flying personnel only in 1941 but subsequently standardised for wear by all RAF personnel later in WWII. This example is a 'Plain Jane' in that it simply carries shoulder eagles but no other badges so would originally have been issued to an 'Erk'! It remains in remarkably good condition and seems to have largely avoided the attentions of the dreaded moth with just one or two minor nibbles but these are largely hidden when on display. The blue serge material retains its original RA blue colour and all buttons are in place. The waist belt shows some wear to the inside caused by the chromed buckle but again hidden when on display.
Inside is equally clean with just minor wear to the inside collar. The original label is still clear and this confirms War Service Dress Blouse Size 11 to fit a chap of 5' 9"-5'10", Breast 38"- 39" and waist 34". The label is Broad Arrow marked and caries a makers name W. Harmer and Co Ltd and is dated 1944. The tunic is not named so its wartime history has been lost down the years. A good clean wartime dated example and getting increasingly hard to find.
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| MG TF 1250 Classic Sports Car - Our MG TF is an original right-hand drive export model and was shipped new to Australia, with the ex-factory finish being black. At some stage she was exported to the USA and was completely rebuilt by her then owner to the current condition and the original factory colour changed to classic red. She then completed her 61 years world tour by being imported back to the UK from Arizona in 2015 by her previous owner. He then took on an E type restoration project and the MG had to go and he sold her to us in early 2016.
A total of 9,600 MGTF's were manufactured in total between 1953-1955; of these 6,200 were 1250cc versions. The remainder carried a 1500cc engine with 3,400 produced, and production of the T Type Midget finally ceased in 1955. Just 813 RHD TF's were exported to Australia, all of them 1250 cc version. Our car is one of these, being an MG TF 1250 that came off the production line on 9th April 1954 as car number HDA26/4740 and engine number XPAG/TF 34,953. Under the bonnet is the original dealers plate named to P&R Williams Pty Ltd who operated out of Sydney & Newcastle ; research indicates they were the MG importers for New South Wales and both sold cars themselves as well as supplying a network of New South Wales dealers.
Since taking ownership she has always been garaged and driven on high days and holidays and almost always only in dry conditions and always with the hood down, so the full weather equipment is in mint condition. In recent times however she has hardly been out of the garage and as such we prepared her for sale in September 2020 which included a full service and for good measure an MOT test that was issued with no advisories. Unfortunately Covid and other restrictions on travel made selling at that time less than ideal so she has been virtually unused since but is now being offered for sale via Charterhouse Classic Car auctions. The sale takes place at the amazing Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset with viewing on 2rd March and the auction on Thursday 3rd March and bidding can be done in person or remotely on line. The auctioneers sale price estimate is a modest £16,000- £18,000 so if you fancy owning a classic MG beloved by RAF pilots in the 1930's, 40's and 50's here is your opportunity! Of all the T series cars the TF is regarded by many as the prettiest, a statement I would not disagree with!
Here is a link to the auction listing www.carandclassic.com/car/C1417334
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| Air Officers Commanding Staff Car Pennant - An exceedingly scarce RAF staff car pennant, that potentially comes with very interesting and historical provenance. It came in a small collection of assorted flags and pennants that were acquired after RAF Bentley Priory closed which were bought by a collector who wanted the two large station flags that were included and we were able to purchase the pennants, including this example, from him.
RAF Bentley Priory was a non-flying Royal Air Force station near Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. In May 1926, Inland Area (Training Command), a part of the organisation of the Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB) moved into the Priory from Uxbridge. In July 1926, it was renamed 'Training Command' and transferred to Market Drayton in Shropshire. The RAF then began to grow in size and so the organisational base expanded with it and the foundations were laid for an air defence system, which proved to be well in advance of the force it was shortly to oppose during the Battle of Britain. The RAF was radically reorganized with the creation of Bomber, Coastal, Fighter and Training Commands. The existing ADGB was dissolved and RAF Fighter Command emerged on 14th July 1936. It left Hillingdon House, at RAF Uxbridge and moved to Bentley Priory, led by its first Air Officer Commanding Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. Fighter Command Headquarters remained at the Priory until its merger with the other operational commands in 1968 and the station was disbanded and the site finally closed on 30th May 2008. Today a fine Battle of Britain Museum operates from the site (well worth a visit) including the office of ACM Sir Hugh Dowding, as final pics atttached.
Our pennant is of multi piece construction in very heavy silk weave. Finished with an RAF pale blue cloth background with a sewn on RAF roundel attached, overlayed with a yellow astral crown. These pennants were entitled to be flown only by four specific groups of senior RAF officers :
-Air Officers Commanding (AOC) and Air Headquarters.
-Commandant RAF College, Cranwell.
-Commandant General RAF Regiment (but only when visiting RAF and Army units in an official capacity).
-Director Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) (but only when making official visits and inspections).
Staff Car pennants were never dated and it is therefore hard to prove their exact age. Seeing however this is made to the wartime specification and Dowding was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Fighter Command on 14th July 1936 and backed up by its apparent source, it is a possibility this pennant was issued to and flown by Dowding but of course this is impossible to prove. Whatever its actual history it remains in fine condition, is guaranteed original (unlike many of the fakes now appearing on E bay) and would sit very happily in a top end RAF or Battle of Britain Collection. It measures 12" x 6" (30.5 cm x 15 cm). The roundel is 4 1/2" diameter (11.5 cm).
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| His Royal Highness Prince Phillip 1921-2021 - We mark the occasion of the sad death of His Royal Highness just short of his 100th birthday with a small montage of photograph of the other loves of his long and illustrious life. I understand before the war he had a desire to become a fighter pilot, but he decided on following the family tradition and joined the Royal Navy, where he graduated from Dartmouth Naval College as the top cadet of his intake. The Duke was on active service in the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War, with his first naval appointment, aged 18, as a midshipman to HMS RAMILLIES, which escorted the first contingents of the Allied Expeditionary Force from Australia to Egypt. His Royal Highness subsequently joined HMS VALIANT in the Mediterranean Fleet and was involved in action including, on 21st March 1941, the Battle of Matapan, off the coast of Greece, against the Italian fleet and for his work in control of the searchlights Prince Philip was mentioned in despatches. He was later awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour. Towards the end of the Second World War Prince Philip served in the destroyer HMS WHELP in the Pacific and was present in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender on 2nd September 1945. His first and only Command was post war aboard HMS Magpie.
The Duke learned to fly, starting his flying training on 12th November 1952 at White Waltham, his instructor being Flt Lt Caryl Ramsay Gordon -followers of 'The Crown' please note! After initial training on the De Havilland Chipmunk he continued on the North American Harvard. Prince Philip was awarded his "wings" by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson at Buckingham Palace on the 4th of May 1953. He further qualified to win his helicopter wings in 1956 and his private pilot's licence in 1959. He recorded 5,986 hours in his logbooks flying in 59 types of aircraft. The Duke's final flight was on 11th August 1997 from Carlisle to Islay, following which he has stopped flying, although he never lost his interest in all thing's aviation related.
I had the pleasure to meet his Royal Highness and Her Majesty at a reception at Buckingham Palace back in 2002. After the official presentation to their Majesties, I had the pleasure to chat both with The Queen and Prince Philip. Suffice to say they were an absolute delight to meet and as is often reported with Prince Philip you got exactly what was written on the tin! I could not resist asking if the story concerning The Queen being particularly fond of the Engine Room on the Royal Yacht was true and that she would take guests down to see it after dinner. I had specifically read that after the Gulf War in 1992 General Norman Schwarzkopf was invited aboard Britannia and duly inspected the spotless Engine Room. After his tour it is reported he confronted Her majesty and asked: 'Okay. I've seen the museum piece. Now, where's the real engine room?' The Queen and Prince Phillip laughed and confirmed the account was entirely true, with the Queen demonstrating with her arms bent how the pistons of the engines pumped back and forth! Britannia at this time had been decommissioned (in 1997) but the event was still very much in the fore in 2002. Before the Royal party departed, I suggested their Majesties better take care or the then Government may take the Royal train next. I will not repeat here what her Majesty replied!
The islanders of Tanna, one of the islands in Vanuatu in the South West Pacific, worshiped the Duke of Edinburgh as a god. Looking at what he achieved during his amazing 99 year life one tends to agree they were on the right track! His Royal Highness will be much missed by Her Majesty, The Royal Family and the citizens of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world. It is only fitting that his final journey will be on that icon of British engineering, a Land Rover hearse, designed for the purpose by the Duke himself. Fair wind and following seas your Royal Highness. R. I. P.
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| Luftwaffe First Pattern M35 Map Case - A very fine issued example manufactured by Leo Schmidt, O. H. G München 15, 1935. This company made a variety of high quality leather items for the German armed forces including boots, webbing, pistol holders or as here map cases or Kartentasche. These were used by both Army and Air Force personnel including the Fallschirmjäger both pre-war and throughout WWII. In Luftwaffe use they were issued on a limited basis, to specifically designated personnel such as unit commanders, pilots, and observers.
This example is in exceptional condition with no issues and with the added bonus that the normally missing leather & plastic map holder insert, that remains within the case. The M35 map/dispatch case was based on the Weimar era Reichsheer pattern but with minor improvements incorporated. The front closure arrangement was simplified in mid-1936 with the replacement by a standard buckle and an additional small front pocket was added in 1938, although the early pattern cases continued to be manufactured throughout the war.
The case has a leather flap that is held secure by the a base metal slide in bar closure system with three slots cut in the flap to allow for the size of the contents. Inside the flap exposes 7 recesses for assorted pencils, a wooden ruler holder, an receptacles for an eraser and a map case pocket knife. Nearly always the contents is now absent as here but this is compensated for by the leather and plastic map holder that is in great original condition. Whilst the outside of the case carries the makers details as mentioned, the inside flap carries further clues to its service life with the Luftwaffe This is clearly stamped 'Kdtr. Trav' which we believe is the German military abbreviation for 'Kommandantur' meaning 'Administrative Headquarters Commandant's Office' which is over stamped 'Fl. H. Kdtr Pütniz, ' which refers to 'Fliegerhorst Kommandantur, headquarter of the Airfield' and a further stamp reads Fl. Schule Pütnitz, which translated is 'Flying School Pütnitz'. Below is a further stamp '35' which we assume confirms the 1935, manufacture date. On line research indicates Pütnitz-Damgarten was a Luftwaffe airfield built by the Wehrmacht in 1935-36 and inaugurated as a Luftwaffe Fliegerhorstkommandantur on 1 October 1936. Pütnitz was a training station for flying, navigation, instrument flight and airborne radio throughout the war. During 1944 and 1945 the station command at Pütnitz was Fl. H. Kdtr. A (o) 5/III
A similar example is illustrated in Mick Prodoger's 'Luftwaffe V RAF Flight Equipment' book page 118. It would be hard to find such a crisp original 'Kartentasche' as this, together with the added service history of the base and unit it served with lifts this example above the norm.
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| French L'Armee De L'Air Officer Superieur Winter Visor Cap - This is the 1929 pattern. The braided cap band indicates a high rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Inside the crown of the cap is named to manufacturer G. Risacher, Master Tailor Base Aerienne 114, which is located at Aix-en-Provence. The base is situated in South of France. The cap carries winged badge to front attached by metal clips marked Deposee and fitted with a correct braided gold cord chinstrap. The leather cap band is marked with size 57. The cap is in excellent issued condition with no moth or damage to fabric. Minor age, crazing to peak. The cap is not dated but clearly style and materials indicate it is from early post war/Indochina.
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| Luftwaffe M-43 Einheitsfliegermütze Other Ranks Flight Cap - The Luftwaffe M-43 field cap was introduced for wear by all ranks on 27th September 1943 as a replacement cap for all other field caps then in use. The standard issue M-43 was constructed of Luftwaffe blue-grey wool with a rayon lining.
On offer is a very fine late war single button specification example that has avoided the attentions of the dreaded moth. The interior lining is very clean and is nicely ink stamped 56 (size) followed by 1944 and below RB Nr. 0/0375/0025. The Reichsbetriebsnummer (or RB number) is a 9 digit code introduced on 25.06.43 The prefix 0 indicates Industry and second group of four numbers represents a district code that identifies the geographic location of the company, we believe in this case Saxony. The third and last group of four is the Company code, which we have not as yet identified, so any help on this would be appreciated.
The cap carries a fine one piece Luftwaffe insignia with woven cockade below and the peak retains an excellent shape. September 1943 instructions stated if the peak got in the way when operating machinery the wearer was allowed to reverse the peak and wear back to front in the modern manner of today although we have yet to find a period photograph to prove the point! Not much else we can add other than this example meets the collectors maxim 'always buy the best example you can afford'. But don't just take our word for it and as with all our stock more detailed photographs are available by return. When new these caps were charged at 3.19 Reichmarks ;ours is now a little more but this pattern is becoming increasingly hard to find and more so in this conditionon and should prove a good investment and an excellent addition to the collection.
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| Luftwaffe Other Ranks /NCO leather belt - Fitted with original 1940 pattern die stamped, steel combat box buckle; pre-war examples featured a fully pebbled alloy buckles but these were superseded around 1939 or 1940 by the steel variant. This example features a smooth outer field with a central embossed high relief oval with pebble finish, inside a laurel leaf wreath surround. The Luftwaffe eagle, with outstretched wings clutching a canted swastika in one talon to the centre and is of the second pattern with good crisp definition. Some of the original dark field grey paint remains to the front but is largely worn away. Earlier buckles carried a short leather tab attached to the buckle roll bar to serve as a catch for the right-side ammunition pouch, but by order OTB 42, No.54 of 28th March 1942 this was abolished, as a material saving aid due to war shortages and this is correctly omitted from this buckle.
The leather belt is also in excellent issued condition. This again is the later pattern finished in black leather with a brown interior. The original owner has scratched his name into the adjustment bar leather and appears to read 'Leut'. On the opposite end to the buckle the belt clip is securely stitched in place and whilst a little indistinct the makers details are stamped on the pointed end and whilst we have not been able to decipher the manufacturer the date of 1942 is clearly shown, so aligns exactly with the specification described above. The leather belt (excluding the buckle) measures 36.5" (92 cm) so ideal dressed on a mannequin display.
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| Luftwaffe Fémáru M 37 M Pistol Holster - Fémáru P.37(u) Pistol was manufactured by Fémáru Fegyver- és Gépgyár R. T. Budapest in Hungary. The Model 37 was an updated and simplified version of the earlier blowback design, the Model 29. The Hungarian Army adopted the updated pistol in 1937, and in 1940 joined the Axis Powers and in 1941, the Third Reich contracted with FÉG for 50,000 Model 37s which were primarily issued to the Luftwaffe, with the calibre changed to 7.65 mm but to the same basic pattern but with the addition of a safety catch.
Our holster would originally have held one of these weapons and is maker coded to the rear 'cdc' indicating it was made by Kern, Klager & Cie of Berlin, who also supplied binocular cases in WWII. Below the factory code is the date of manufacture indicating 1943. Various types of holster were made for the M 37 but this German made example is all leather and carries a pocket to the front for a spare magazine and a strap and stud for securing the weapon. The leather shows evidence of service use but remains sound whilst the base metal rivets evidence some rust. The back of the holster has a loop for attaching to a belt, as well as carrying the manufacturers code as mentioned. Inside the holster it is unlined and the inner flap carries ink stamping reading 'Nur für Pistole 37 M (Ung) Kal. 7,65 m/m', which in translation means 'Only for Pistol Model 37 (Hungarian) Calibre 7.65mm'. Those owning a copy of the reference book 'Deutsche Luftwaffe ' will find an identical holster illustrated on pages 338 & 339.
A very clean example of an increasingly rare Luftwaffe holster that would of course display well with the Luftwaffe belt we are also just listing.
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