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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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 | RAF ID Bracelet Named to M. F. Pitman - On offer is another RAF ID bracelet. This example is named to 'Pitman M. F. ' and the service number is recorded as 1187201. A nice additional touch is an RAF Other Ranks cap badge image, complete with Kings Crown, has been added. Unlike the other example we have just listed this one is complete with chain and clasp. The chain is of a very modest diameter and we speculate this may have belonged to a WAAF serving with the RAF in WWII. On the reverse of the tab are either makers marks or marks indicating the metal used. We have been unable to identify these and as pure speculation it is possible this bracelet was made up for the owner whilst serving overseas. Another item that warrants further research which we will leave to the next custodian. The bracelet face plate measures 1.4" (3.5 cm)
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| Beaufort RAF Issue Mk 7 Lifejacket - Manufactured by Beaufort (Air-Sea) Equipment Ltd, this 'Mae West' aircrew lifejacket carries Stores Reference 22C/2275 and appears to date from May 1969. Many of this pattern seem to have been subcontracted to makers Frankenstein, so nice to have an original Beaufort made example. Manufactured from orange fabric, and like the WWII jackets it has 3 button closures to the front. When in service these jackets carried a plethora of escape aids and as well as kapok pads and a bladder it would have also held an inflation bottle, a Sabre rescue location beacon, a water activated torch and other kit to facilitate rescue. This jacket is stencilled on the back 'HON 37' which we assume to have been added when on the Squadron. We speculate this could indicate service at RAF Honington, were the Blackburn Buccaneer was opperated in 1969. If any visitor to the site can clarify meaning please get in touch and we will add to our listing. This jacket has clearly seen quite heavy service use with minor tears and holes and light staining. The neck zip works but is a little tender and one of the webbing straps, for dinghy pack attachment, has been cut, normal practice when these jackets came out of service. Interestingly, this same design was sourced for the 1969 Guy Hamilton blockbuster move 'Battle of Britain', when clearly prop availability took precedence over historical accuracy!
Today, 50 years after these jackets saw service with the RAF they are becoming increasingly hard to find in any condition and also expensive when they do turn up ; the price of this example reflects its overall condition today. This is not the best example we have seen but it certainly has that 'lived in look' and works well on a mannequin or for a reenactor or Goodwood Revival guest, to add that touch of authenticity. To that end our Boss, Mr Oldnautibits himself, borrowed this stock item when asked to dress in period on a recent classic car rally, as shown in the final image attached. Despite the passing years, we think the CO put on a pretty good show!
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| RAF Red Star Mk 12T Distress Flare Tin - This example, which is now empty, would have contained three red star distress flares, designed to be used in conjunction with the standard RAF issue Very pistol and would have been included in both the single seat and multi place dinghy packs of WWII. Whilst the original paint shows some wear and surface rust that is hardly surprising after 73 years but the writing on it is still readable. The top would originally have been taped on to avoid moisture entering and is marked 'Do not remove sealing tape & open until cartridges are required'. The front detail confirms the contents as '3 Cartridges Signal 1" Red Mk 12. T. 'And 'Lot No' below. The same is written on the reverse side whilst on the side is 'Box No.381. Mk I'. In smaller writing towards the base is written '12MB/45' indicating the tin was made by the British Metal Box Company in 1945. The tin measures 3 1/2" x 2.75" (9 cm x 6 cm) and an identical example is illustrated on page 68 of Mick Prodger's excellent Luftwaffe V RAF Flight Equipment reference book. This is example is not in quite such good condition as the one we have just sold and this is reflected in the price.
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| Handley Page Hampden Trench-Art Model - A twin engine medium bomber, the Hampden was often referred to by late Father as the "Flying Suitcase", which he flew for the final time with 144 Squadron on the night of 25/26 August 1941 from North Luffenham, on an 'Op' to Mannheim piloting AE265 PL. Mission accomplished he ran out of fuel on the way home and forced landed at a dummy Luftwaffe airfield near Ypenburg in Holland and he and his crew went 'in the bag' for the duration. He always spoke fondly of the Hampden as a responsive aircraft to fly but he did not regard it highly as a weapon of war in 1941! Almost half of the 714 Hampdens built were lost on operations, with 1,077 crew killed and 739 reported as missing; becoming a POW in '41 almost certainly saved my Father's life.
The Hampden was powered by Bristol Pegasus radial engines and first flew in 1936 and entered RAF service in 1938. Like the Blenheim, the Hampden took heavy losses in the daylight role but performed adequately at night, bearing the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, and taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and the first 1,000-bomber raid on Cologne. It was retired from RAF Bomber Command in late 1942 but served subsequently with Coastal Command in the torpedo bomber role. Guy Gibson of course started on Hampdens' before progressing to great things!
Our fine model has been in my personal collection since 2001 but as part of a current thinning out process it is time to rehome it. A particularly detailed example, it is mounted on an aluminium base, with original black paintwork, that is now showing some age wear. Interestingly the base is engraved with the letter 'H', perhaps the makers reference to the aircrafts name. The model is without props, but as such gives a good impression of the aircraft in flight and looks impressive from all angles, with the pencil thin rear fuselage shown to good advantage. The wingspan is 7.0" (18 cm) and stands 5.0" high (13 cm), measured to the top of the tail fins. Like most trench-art that comes our way we sadly have no history with it but clearly period and probably made by a flight mechanic working on a Hampden Squadron at the time. The Hampden instrument panel and original oil painting shown in the gallery listing are from my own collection and are for reference purposes only and are definitely not for sale!
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| Luftwaffe Dreieckrechner DR2 Flight Computer - In addition to mechanical and electrical radio directional navigation aids, the Luftwaffe also utilised two different models of manual flight navigation devices, which were essentially a two-sided slide rule. One side is used to correct the course of flight taking into account the wind direction. This was achieved by setting the arrow to the desired course and rotating the white inner dial to the wind direction in black, then correcting the course by turning the aircraft to the corresponding angle. The reverse side was used to determine the impact of wind direction and speed upon aircraft flight time by adjusting the outer and inner white dials. These instruments were referred to by flight crew as 'Knemeyer' after the inventor Siegfried Knemeyer (5 April 1909 – 11 April 1979), who was a German aeronautical engineer, aviator and the Head of Technical Development at the Reich Ministry of Aviation during World War II. The earliest examples of the DR2 date from around June 1936 with the latest being dated November 1942 and the model subsequently evolved with the introduction of the DR3, first introduced in March 1943. Interestingly no records have been found to indicate a DR1 ever existed.
Our DR2 was manufactured in February 1940, so it almost certainly was in use during the Battle of Britain and was manufactured by the instrument maker DENNERT & PAPE in Hamburg, Germany and carries Fl no 23825. Whilst the instrument is complete, the alloy outer rim shows signs of corrosion, as shown in the attached images. Both the compass and calculating sides remain in good issued condition but with signs of service use. Sadly, the history related to this instrument has been lost, but it seems likely it could haven been wreck recovered. Some dealers might create spurious provenance about a named Battle of Britain crash site but we prefer to tell it as it is. The metalwork, despite the corrosion is entirely stable and having clearly had a service history it would still sit happily in a Luftwaffe or Battle of Britain related collection and is priced to reflect its current condition. The Luftwaffe flight chart shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not included in the sale. Measures 6" diameter (15 cm)
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| RAF Height and Airspeed Computor Mk II - A handheld circular aluminium bodied height and airspeed computor (sic) is made from three concentric, decreasing diameter calibrated discs laid on top of each other and secured by a central split pin. There are two additional quarter discs with screw adjusters for setting temperature and ground pressure. The instrument features rotating metal discs used to set the ground barometric pressure, temperature, indicated height and airspeed and were used in conjunction with 'I. C. A. N. ' isothermic calibrated altimeters to calculate speed, time and distance travelled. Manufactured by the quality instrument makers Henry Hughes and Sons, London it is marked with serial number 9095/39, indicating a production date of 1939. The back of the instrument also carryie a crisp Air Ministry property mark.
A similar Mk I dead-reckoning flight computer dating from 1940 is illustrated on page 113 of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Luftwaffe V RAF Flight Equipment' reference book, where he confirms these instruments were most commonly carried by pilots of single engine fighter aircraft, so like the Luftwaffe DR2 flight computer we have also just listed, this could well have served in the Battle of Britain. The Hurricane had a canvas pouch fitted on the starboard side of the cockpit to hold it securely in place, so it was always to hand when needed (see final photograph attached). The instrument remains in very good original condition and would appear to be in good working order, with signs of just light service use. Measures 5.75" diameter (14.5 cm).
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| Air Ministry 'Bigsworth' Chart Board 6B/270 - Universally known as 'The Bigsworth chart board', the design dates from around 1918, to aid in the safe use of charts for aerial navigation. It consisted of a wooden board upon which a navigational chart could be placed and held in place by brass retaining clips. The board was square and was available in two sizes, 14 inches or 17 inches with this example being in the larger size, corresponding to 43 cm x 43 cm. The design was conceived by Air Commodore Arthur Wellesley Bigsworth CMG, DSO & Bar, AFC (27 March 1885 – 24 February 1961) who anecdotally is believed to be the aviator who the literary hero 'Biggles' was based on!
These plotting boards were particularly useful in pre and early WWII aircraft, where space was limited and which did not carry a proper Navigators position ; to illustrate this see final photograph attached of a similar board in use in a Blenheim light bomber circa 1939/40, circa the Battle of France. It consisted of pivoted double parallel linking arm that could be adjusted up and down the side of the board and mounted on its other end was a protractor which could be positioned over any point on the chart. The Bigsworth chart board became one of the most convenient aids for plotting and determining courses and finding position and was produced in substantial quantities. It remained in service well into WWII when it was still providing a portable and self-contained navigation station in aeroplanes in which adequate facilities for the Navigator/Observer were still lacking. It continued in use in training aircraft such as the Anson into the early post war years. It was also issued to and used by Fleet Air Arm aircrew in WWII.
Our example remains in above the average issued condition with signs of light service use. To the left edge is a strip of hardwood attached by three brass hinges; we are not entirely clear of the application intended but is is something we have seen before and this may have been to mount the board in a semi fixed position in the navigators position. To the reverse it carries clear stamped nomenclature with a Kings Crown, A. M. property mark (for Air Ministry) and stores reference nos 6B/270, 6B being the code for 'Aircraft Navigation Equipment, Accessories & Spares'. It was manufactured by P. A. C. Ltd. and the serial number confirms it was made in 1940. Below is scratched 'T. W. ', we assume to be the initials of the wartime custodian. The reverse side also carries an oblong green canvas pouch, designed to hold the all important Navigator's pencils. All navigation equipment was closely guarded and cared for by their owners, as the lives of the entire crew depended on his accurate navigation. These instruments are becoming increasingly rare and those that do turn up are mainly the more common 6B/137 version. This would make a great addition to a specialist or general RAF collection and is the first we have been fortunate to obtain for some time and when it is gone it is gone. The flight chart shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not included in the sale. Similar could be supplied at extra cost if required to complete the display.
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| Chart Table Plotter Mk II Stores reference 6B/241 - Mk II plotting arms were a move on from the integral Bigsworth chart board setup, that we have also just listed. The Mk I & 11 instruments were manufactured using heavier duty black painted brass arms with a rotating 'head' fitted with a Perspex rule attached. The other end of the arm features a clamp system, to lock onto a metal strip fitted to the Navigators plotting table. These were used in a variety of RAF 'heavies' in WWII including the Avro Lancaster and the Handley Page Halifax. This arm is substantially larger and of superior quality to those found on the earlier chart boards, that were useful in the limited space available in light bombers. The Perspex rule measures 12" x 4" (30 cm x 10 cm) and is engraved with a direction of flight arrow. The instrument is complete and remains in excellent issued condition, but with signs of light service use to the paintwork. The central rotating head is nicely marked with a King's Crown Air Ministry property mark and stores reference code 6B/241 (6B being the deignation for Aircraft Navigation Equipment, Accessories and Spares) and the serial number confirms a 1942 production date. Our final photograph attached details a similar arm, mounted and ready for Ops in the Navigator's 'office' in a Lancaster bomber. The RAF chart shown is for illustrative purposes and is not included in the sale but we do have similar available so please get in touch for details.
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| The Royal Italian Air Force 1923-1945 A superb reference book for all collectors of, or with interest in, Regia Aeronautica, Aviazione Legionaria and Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. The authors have assembled over 600 images from private photo albums and individual groupings offering a unique perspective on the Royal Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) from 1923-1945. There are period photos of the everyday life, and adventures of pilots and personnel on a variety of war fronts and campaigns. In addition, there are images of aircraft in detail as well as candid photos of aces such as, Italo Balbo and high profile figures such as German Knight's Cross recipient Italian General Giovanni Messe. Furthermore, the colour gallery contains previously unpublished images of period Italian Air Force headdress, uniform and accoutrements, all from private collections, so an ivaluable refrence aid to collectors.
The book and dust jacket, whilst technically second hand, is in what appears to be unread condition. Published in 2009 the current retail price from publishers Schiffer books is $70.00 or £56.00 and second hand copies on Amazon are £43.00 We are offering rather better value here! We have just this one copy available and when it is gone it is gone.
Pages: 352
Cover: Hard
Author: Dr Spencer Coil & Dr Renato Zavattini
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| Luftwaffe Dreieckrechner DR2 Flight computer - In addition to mechanical and electrical radio directional navigation aids the Luftwaffe also utilized two different models of manual flight navigation devices which were basically circular slide rules to assist in navigation calculations. These were referred to by flight crew as 'Knemeyer' after the inventor Siegfried Knemeyer (5 April 1909 – 11 April 1979) who was a German aeronautical engineer, aviator and the Head of Technical Development at the Reich Ministry of Aviation during World War II. The earliest examples date from around June 1936 with the latest being dated November 1942.
This example is in good issued condition made by DENNERT & PAPE in Hamburg, Germany on April 1941 and carries Fl no 23825. The metal edges to the instrument show minor rubbing to the original paint finish as is to be expected. Both top and bottom dials show signs of service use but everything operates as intended and would sit happily in a Luftwaffe or general aviation collection. Measures 6" diameter (15 cm)
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| RAF Dinghy Knife - A genuine World War11 Air Ministry dinghy survival knife, which was supplied with RAF multi place dinghies. This example is in apparently unissued condition, with original leather scabbard and lanyard cord, that is retained with its original securing straps. The curved stainless-steel blade carries a rounded 'safety' tip, whilst the orange cork handle is to ensure the knife will float if lost overboard.
The blade is engraved with the stores reference of 27C/2023 whilst the leather sheath is embossed 27C/2024, which is stitched to a canvas backer, to enable it to be attached to the dinghy. The sheath carries a snap fastening, so the knife is locked safely in its leather housing. The drawing attached is taken from the Air Ministry Pilots Flying Manual (AP129) and shows an RAF J type dinghy with the floating knife attached at the 1200 O'clock position. The final wartime photograph illustrates a similar craft with the knife location clearly stencilled on the outside of the inflated raft.
These wartime issue knives are becoming increasingly hard to find and this one certainly matches the collector's maxim 'always buy the best you can afford' and it is the cleanest example we have had in the last 20 years. The knife including handle measures 10" (25 cm)
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| Luftwaffe LKpW101 Winter flying Helmet - A classic example of the standard pattern, which was introduced into service in 1938 and then served throughout WWII. The brown goatskin leather shell is in excellent condition and remains supple with all it's original finish intact and the goggle retaining straps are in perfect condition. This pattern features the characteristic double chin straps ; the metal buckles and 3- point oxygen mask clips show none of the normal tarnishing or rust and are therefore likely to be the nickel-plated examples. The avionics are complete and the helmet is fitted with the early round Mi4C throat microphones coded bxo, an indication this helmet is from an early production. This seems to be confirmed by the woven fabric label that states the makers name Deutsche Telephonwerke und Kabelindustrie AG who were based in Berlin. The factory manufacturers code was allocated as bxo, but clearly this fairly early war label was made before the coding system was introduced, so an added bonus.
Inside is equally clean and is fitted with a lamb's wool interior lining, which shows signs of very light service use, commensurate with its age. The label also carries a clear BAL inspectors stamp as well as the size detail which is 58. A final detail on the label is the date is marked as April 1941, thus confirming our speculation this is an early wartime manufactured helmet. Another bonus is both the Perspex receiver sound plates remain in situ. These are often missing or damaged on these helmets; both of these are stamped with the code Ln26602. The helmet is of course fully wired and is fitted with a long communication cord and four-pole break coupling that is marked BLKvFL27560.
In summary a super example of an increasingly scarce pattern and more so in this condition. We rate this one as a 9.5 out of 10 that ticks all the boxes and matches the collector's maxim of always buy the best example you can afford. We have not had one of these in for some times and we had to pay a serious price to acquire it, but believe it still represents good value for money and we don't anticipate It will be with us long!
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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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