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 | RAF Aircraft Teardrop Identification Lamp - Dating from WWII these lamps were mounted on a variety of RAF aircraft including all marks of Spitfire where it was fitted directly behind the canopy aft of the aerial mast. The technical description for it is 'upward Identification lamp' and is fitted with a clear teardrop shaped lens hence its more common name. The lamp body is nicely stamped with an AM and kings Crown and the stores reference number 5C/909. No bulb is fitted and whilst sold as a collectable we see no reason, subject to normal checks, that it could be used as intended. The unit is in excellent original condition with just minor storage marks to the paint. Measures 5" (11 cm)`
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| RAF B Type Flying Helmet - The standard flying helmet of the RAF in the early part of WWII including the Battle of Britain the pattern was first issued in 1935 and remained current until replaced by the C type in late 1941. This example is in virtually un issued condition and other than a small amount of paint run on the oxygen mask snaps is mint. Often overlooked by collectors this helmet is without the characteristic domed receiver cups but is actually how it would have been issued with the receiver cups (stores reference 22C/66) being fitted by the station tailor to suit the wearers head requirements. That being said B helmets were also used in this configuration for training purposes when communications were not required. The leather shell is still soft and all the seams are tight. The chin and back adjuster straps are finished in an unusual burgundy leather; the chin strap chrome tip is still in place. The Bennett buckles are perfect with no damage to the leather coverings. Inside the condition is mint. The helmet has a makers label in the crown indicating the helmet is a size 1 (6 1/2-6 3/4) and as well as a kings Crown and A.M. It also carries stores reference nos 22C/65 and was made by Frank Bryan Ltd of London and Worcester. The helmet is dated 1939; later production examples omitted the manufacturers details and location as this would provide unwelcome attention from the Luftwaffe! The lining is also ink stamped B2 as well as a further AM and Kings Crown The velvet brow and strap linings are again mint. Whilst the variant with the classic bulbous receiver cups gets all the glory serious collections should also feature this variant and this one certainly satisfies the maxim 'buy the best example you can afford'!
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OC382 
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| Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps A good used example of the 4th edition published in 1962 by Ian Allan and compiled by John W.R.Taylor. It is appropriate to be listing this copy now as it features a fine period picture of an Avro Vulcan on the cover and it is this month (October 2015) that Vulcan XH558 will be making her last ever flight, 62 years after her first! Opening the pages of this booklet is like going back in time. It goes into some detail of how the RAF and was organised over 50 years ago and details the aircraft they operated then. It covers the various commands, training, methods of entry, aircraft colours and a section on ranks, badges and insignia. This in turn leads onto a wealth of black and white photographs of the aircraft operated at that time and leading off with the Avro Vulcan which first flew on 3rd September 1953. It concludes with a tantalising glimpse of the Hawker P.1127 vertical take off strike fighter which went on to serve with distinction as the Harrier. Less satisfactory is a mention of the Vickers/English Electric TSR-2 bomber which 'will combine Mach 2 performance with the ability to operate from very short airstrips'.Or not. The back cover featured an advertisement for Airfix model aircraft which back in 1962 I was a prime customer! 64 pages of nostalgia at a very modest price!
Pages: 64
Cover: Soft
Author: J.W.R.Taylor
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| RAF Issue Mk III Flying Goggles - On offer are a very fine set of increasingly scarce and desirable Air Ministry issue Mk III goggles stores reference 22C/69. This set I have owned in my own collection since 2010 but as I have another pair I am now letting these go. They are rather special in that they came in their own rubberised canvas case made from the same material used for escape map pouches. We have no idea if this was an issue case or just something the owner used to pop them into when not in use. Either way it is named to G.B.Butterwick who we surmise was the chap these were originally issued to. They did not come with any history and we have been unable to ID him although we did locate a chap with same name and initials who flew with the R.F.C. in WWI. The goggles are way above the average and meet or exceed the collectors maxim 'buy the best example you can afford'.Interestingly they are fitted with light blue turquoise tinted lenses. I checked with Mick Prodger when I bought them and he has seen this specification before and confirms there is reference to 'tinted lenses' in the relevant AP's so a super rare variant of the pattern. The Perspex lenses are excellent although they do have some scratches which was a design fault with this pattern and the 111A's. Leather parts are all good. Only issue is the inner padding is dried and hard as normal but seems to be a standard fault with every pair of these we have seen. The folding hinge and hinge stops are all good. Most of the black paint is in place on the brass frames with just minor age rub. All four screws are original and in place. The nose cover is excellent with hardly any scuffs on the face pad leather and they have clearly been looked after. The back strap is exceptional and canvas spring covers are mint and the springs function perfectly. The leather part of the back strap is perfect as well as are the metal fittings with no rust of corrosion. The friction adjust buckle is stamped WILL NOT RUST and despite the passing years this is true! The back strap is fully stamped with A Crown M REF 22C/69 and on line below :Goggles Mk III CL * 6925/39/CL.So no doubt these are British Air Ministry issued not the more common and less desirable RCAF version which mainly seem to turn up these days. The Mk III entered service in 1935 and intended for open cockpit use. The 111A came in in 1936 and designed for closed cockpit but clearly they did not supersede Mk III's as these carry a 1939 date code. Grab them whilst you can as they won't be with us for long!
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| RAF Dinghy Seat Pack Type A Mk 3* - stores reference 27C/2445 and designed to carry the single-man fighter pilot Type K dinghy which was carried folded within the pack attached to the seat type parachute in place of the usual Sorbo rubber seat cushion. The Mk III* pack was identical to the earlier Mk II but with the addition of an external pouch to house the emergency bail out bottle which was introduced in April 1944. Manufactured in heavy olive drab cotton canvas, broadly rectangular in shape with a separate cover attached with press-studs which are all in mint condition. These packs have internal stowage pockets to house the accessories not carried within the dinghy itself; this example is empty of contents. The exterior of the pack carries a multi-lingual label stitched to the cover with basic operating instructions in English, French, Czech and Polish. The pack is complete with lanyard and quick release connectors to attach to the '41 pattern Mae West. The whole set is in virtually mint faultless condition and would be impossible to improve upon and would certainly match the collectors maxim to 'buy the best you can afford.' Please check out the K dinghy mast and sail as well as the emergency rubber water cushion and inflator which we are also listing today and which would have been originally stored within a similar pack.
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OC381
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| The RAF 'GEN BOOK'
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Here, at Oldnautibits HQ, we get to see all sorts of items and this little booklet entitled "The RAF Gen Book of Service Slang", has caused us much amusement!
We understand that the book was compiled by Ernest L. Howard-Williams, who used the pseudonym "HW" - "HW" was a serving WWII RAF Officer when he compiled the book. The inside cover is named to "D. Billingham - Xmas 1945". The book contains an alphabetical guide to WWII RAF slang, together with a range of cartoons that illustrate the meaning of many of the expressions.
What makes this copy rather special is someone, perhaps D.Billingham himself, has hand coloured all the illustrations. In addition, in the "gen" listings he has added in pencil some more of his own like "Twilight.... See Passion Killers", which are also featured in one of the cartoons! Another addition is Penguin - a rank without wings, or in other words non aircrew personnel. Other examples are a "Fizzer", who was a good looking girl, or a perfect landing, a "Target for Tonight" is a girlfriend, a "Devil Dodger" is the RAF Chaplin. Confusingly, both "Blackouts" and "Passion Killers" are WAAF's knickers! A "Jeep" is apparently a local girl, or a small runabout, or possibly both?
This paperback booklet shows some wear commensurate with age, but generally very good and, as we have said, has caused a lot of amusement here in the Oldnautibits HQ! With the festive season on us before very long, this would be an excellent unique stocking filler at a modest price. Click the cycling images above, to see the Slideshow
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Pages: 32
Cover: Soft
Author: Ernest L. Howard-Williams,
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| 941 Balloon Squadron Art Deco Presentation Table Lighter - Presentation engraved to base 'From N.C.O's and Airmen of 941 Squadron'. Land at Lightwood in Sheffield was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and was opened on 15 August 1939 to became home to No. 16 Balloon Centre, part of No.33 Barrage Balloon Group, RAF. The Centre comprised three Squadrons: 939 West Riding Sqn, Sheffield West, 940 West Riding Sqn, Rotherham and 941 West Riding Sqn, Sheffield Central. Each squadron had three flights comprising 8 balloons each. 941 Squadron was commanded by S/Ldr R. E. Wilson M.C., assisted by flight commanders: Fl/Lts. N. Harland, A.L. Baker, and R.G.A. Colley. In August 1940, 941 Sqn was disbanded due to a lack of volunteers, with equipment and personnel being transferred to 939 Sqn. In total, the Centre was responsible for 72 balloons for the defence of Sheffield. In 1943, the Lightwood site was renamed RAF Norton. By 1943/44, with the threat of heavy air raids diminishing, most of the balloons were transferred south for the defence of London and the site closed as a balloon centre in late 1944. The lighter is marked to the base 'Foreign Brit. Patent 400888'.From our research this lighter was surprisingly made in Germany by Brevete S.G.D.G. and is model 111, introduced in 1937. It would therefore appear this was exported to Britain pre war and was subsequently purchased and presented to an un named member of 941 Squadron sometime between 1939 and 1941. The Battle of Britain officially ran from July 10th to 31 October 1940 and with Sheffield being the centre of steel production was a hot spot back in the summer of 1940. The lighter appears in good used condition but shows some wear to the silver plate. The mechanism and spark seem to work fine but we have not tested to see if it is fully operational and is therefore for sale a collectable item of scarce barrage balloon memorabilia. The lighter measures 4.0" x 3.5" (10 cm x 9 cm) If you have interest in Barrage Balloon memorabilia please also check out item 5440 in our 'Miscellaneous Aviation' section as this relates to 934 Squadron.
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| Radio USAAF Radio Compass DF Loop LP-21-AK Antennae - This great item comes with interesting provenance. The story associated is that in WWII a small boy was living close to the perimeter of the USAAF base at Grafton Underwood. He became friendly with and was 'adopted' by some of the chaps stationed on the base and like most small boys had a fascination with all aspects of life therein. Over a period of time he acquired a number of souvenirs from obsolete equipment or from aircraft that crashed on or near the base. In early July 1942, the 97th Bombardment Group arrived at Grafton Underwood with 342 and 343rd Squadrons operating the Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress aircraft. The collection of souvenirs we have purchased would seem to relate to this period or later. We understand these antennae were used on a variety of AAF aircraft but because of its association with Grafton Underwood we believe this and other relic parts purchased are all from 'the Flying Fortress.' This item is still in original olive green paintwork which is now showing signs of service use with minor corrosion. The mount and electrical connections are still in place and it is clearly marked Loop LP-21-AM.The underside of the mount carries two male sockets, one engraved PL-108 and the other PL-112. We understand these loop antenna picked up ground based signals that were then fed to the radio compass to enable blind approaches to be made accurately in bad weather. Sadly we have no information of which aircraft this was fitted to but would make an imposing display item in a USAAF related collection. Measures 26" x 16" (66 cm x 41 cm). Please also check out the other relic items we will also be listing, all from the same collection.
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| 384 Bomb Group B-17G Exhaust Stub Relic - Another item from the small Grafton Underwood collection we have purchased. With this one we have some clues to its origin as we have a ticket attached. This is marked 'AAFES Form 6900-112'.We believe this to be from the' Army and Air Force Exchange Services' which was established in 1895 and was and is the retailer on US Army and Air Force bases. On the reverse is hand written 'From 384 B.G. B-17 crashed Nr Weldon 1.08.44 during assembly.' Below is written '42-9702'. We checked on line and on 1 August 1944 a B-17G, which was named 'Green Mountain Girl' serial nos 42-97072 crashed at Grafton Underwood/ S106 and the aircraft was written off beyond repair. In addition we found 384 BG was tasked on that day to bomb airfields, bridges and tactical targets in France. It seems B-17 G serial Nos 42-97072 sadly never made it. The relic, which we believe could be part of the exhaust system, is badly crushed but carries an intact data plate reading: 'Installation Instructions. Install bolts snug not tight. Back off 1/2 Turn and Safety Wire.' Worthy of further research. Measures 20" (50 cm)
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| Boeing B-17F Exhaust Manifold - Another item from the Grafton Underwood collection. Whilst the other parts listed today are in relic condition this item appears to be in perfect shape with no obvious damage. It is made of welded steel construction and carries a clear data plate giving the full specification so unlike the other pieces we know exactly what we have here. The plate confirms ex B-17F plus drawing nos 55-61954 and contract nos W-535-AC20292 as well as Material Spec AN-00-S-757. The manufacturers are shown as 'Aircraft Section Fischer Body Detroit, General Motor Corporation'.The delivery date is even shown at 2.08.43. Given time it may just be possible to find which engine and perhaps the actual B-17 F this manifold was fitted to. Judging by condition it had to be replaced, rather than crash recovered, leading to it ending in our avid WWII child collectors scrap heap -although it must surely have been priceless to him at the time! We speculate like in the classic Johnny Cash song, had the war gone on long enough he could have constructed a complete Fortress in his back garden! This piece is large measuring 28" x 16" (70 cm x 41 cm) so please check with us on delivery costs to your destination before ordering.
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| Skytrex Avro Lancaster 111 model 1/200 scale - A very high quality cast metal scale model with aircraft code EM P representing Lancaster EE141 which flew with 207 squadron from RAF Langar and was delivered on 31st May, 1943. She was shot down by night fighters north of Magderburg on 16th December, 1943. Amazing detail despite the small scale. Complete with original packaging. Wing span 6" (15.5 cm)
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| WAAF Officer's WWII Service Dress Cap - This is one of the scarcer WWII caps to locate and they don't often turn up in this size or condition. It is to the standard issue Officer rank pattern made of barathea material and finished in RAF blue;it is in near perfect condition with little wear an no holes, staining or fading. The cloth peak carries parallel stitching following the curve of the peak and is characteristic of the design. The cap features a fine Kings Crown badge with strong colours fixed to a black mohair band. The only issue with this cap was when purchased the 'chinstrap' was absent so we have fitted a period patent leather example from a period donor cap that was past saving. Inside the cap carries fine diamond shaped makers label named to Moss Bross of 20-21 King Street, Covent Garden. The label also carries the Moss Bross crest and the date 1881. This was the year the Moses Brothers moved to their King Street premises. Moss Bross were quality suppliers to the British Military in both World Wars and remain a strong name on the High Street today. The cotton lining has very minor staining to the crown but again is in exceptional condition. No size is marked by the cap is a good fit on a head circumference of 22.5" or c. 56 cm. The cap is not named so we sadly have no idea of it's history.
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| WAAF Flight Officers Tunic and Skirt - Another scarce WAAF uniform that exudes originality. The tunic carries a makers label to the inside pocket indicting it was tailored by Hector Power of Regent Street, London W1. The label is also named to the original owner who was a A.B.O Keetle; below the name is printed 16/5001 and a date 4/8/42. We have no service history to go with this uniform but it could no doubt be researched. The tunic carries rank lace to a Flight Officer but with a variation in the colour of the two rings so clearly indication when Section Officer Keetle was made up to 'Flight' rank (which corresponds to the male rank of Flight Lieutenant).The jacket is in excellent original condition with just the odd snag commensurate with service wear but it has fortunately more or less avoided the ravishes of the dreaded moth. It carries a pair of original 'A' lapel badges indication Ms Keetle was a volunteer and is fitted with brass Kings Crown buttons by Gaunt of London. The belt shows minor wear caused by the buckle prongs as you would expect. The matching skirt is again in a similar condition with a side zip fitted to the waist band. Interestingly it looks as though the waist has been taken in at some stage ; judging by the small tunic size this would indicate Flight Officer Keetle was of a modest disposition! In view of the size constraints in the 21st century we believe this one deserves a place in a museum or aviation collection although we have just listed other uniforms which may be more suited for re enactor's purposes. Examples of genuine wartime issue WAAF uniforms are now very scarce and we don't anticipate this one being with us for long. If any visitors to the site can add any of Flight Officer Keetle's service history we would be delighted to add this to our description.
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| RAF Type H Oxygen Mask - First issued in early 1944 the H mask replaced the earlier G pattern and it remained in RAF service, with minor modifications, for the remainder of the 20th century. This example Stores Reference 6D/2244098 is broad arrow marked and was manufactured in March 1985 by MSA (Britain) ltd and has never been issued. When purchased it came complete in its original packaging in a sealed plastic bag with attached documentation that confirmed it was declared 'Serviceable' by 16 Maintenance Unit Stafford when last checked in December 1997! This example is marked 'Small' and is fitted with an Amplivox 13100 microphone and mint communication cord and male plug. A full elastic harness is fitted, again in unissued condition, with snaps and clips to use with RAF C, D & E pattern flying helmets as well as the later G. The harness also features the reversible 'quick connect' loops for use with the later metal oxygen mask hooks. If the mask is required without the elastic webbing harness please contact us for a separate price. Despite now bring 30 years old this example is effectively mint and boxed and is in factory fresh condition inside and out. Like all items offered on the site this is for sale as a collectable only, although subject to the correct checks we feel it is highly likely it is still in working condition but we can't guarantee this. These masks are no longer in production so grab the opportunity now to purchase one of the last genuine 'mint and boxed' examples whilst our very limited stocks remain.
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| Luftwaffe LKpN101 Netzkopfhaube Flying Helmet - this classic mesh flying helmet which has become synonymous with Luftwaffe fighter pilots in WWII. This example has a manufacturers label coded bxo indicating it was made by Deutsche Telphonwerke und Kabelindustrie AG, Berlin SO 36. The size stamp is 57 and hand written inside the crown is the name Hans Schmidt as well as D.F.L. which could be the initials of another owner. The helmet is in well used condition with a crack in the leather receiver housing on the left side whilst the netting is generally in very good shape. This example features tan leather receiver cups and provision for the Luftwaffe two point oxygen mask and is therefore an early pattern. This is reconfirmed by the throat microphones which are also marked bxo and Ln 26779-3 and are the earlier issue round type. The helmet carries the short communication cord favoured by fighter pilots but is interestingly fitted with what we believe to be a Russian issue 4 point communication plug and lead. This has clearly been retro fitted but can not establish if it was perhaps captured and subsequently used by a Russian airman or if the plug and cord has been replaced at a later date. We speculate this helmet may have been wreck recovered which would explain the damage mentioned and might explain the fitment of the Russian plug. We have seen cleaner helmets but this example still displays very well and is on offer at an entry level price.
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| Air Ministry Type 35 No 1 Photo Reconnaissance Camera Control Unit - Designed to work in conjunction with the F24 camera, first introduced in 1925 used by British and Allied armed forces during WWII and post war. The F 24 was installed in a wide variety of fighters and bomber aircraft including the PRU Spitfire, the Lancaster and the Mosquito. It was set up to work on the"robot" principle. When the pilot or bomb-aimer presses a button, the rest can be safely left to the T.35 control unit, an ingenious device which can control a whole series of operations—from a 500 exposure reconnaissance requiring exposures at regular intervals, to the synchronisation of the flash explosion of bomb bursts during an operation. Our unit comes complete with in a fitted storage case marked with an Air Ministry metal plaque confirming Stores Ref nos 14A/1007 (for case) and 14A/943 for the unit. Interestingly the unit appears to have been modified in service and the original stores reference nos ground out and a revised number 14A/3383 added. The instrument itself looks to be in good used condition and still has connecting wires attached so it looks like it has definitely seen service. The top dial can be set to the interval in seconds for the exposures from 5 to 50 seconds The bottom dial controls the number of exposures with a scale from 1 to 125. The unit is marked 24 volts and whilst not dated we believe this to be from the late WWII period or early post war as the T.35 remained in use until the mid 1950's when it was fitted to such aircraft as the Canberra. Whilst we are offering as a collectable and can't guarantee it still works it looks to be in first class condition. The Photo Reconnaissance Unit of the RAF is often undervalued but the PRU boys carried out a critical function often in unarmed aircraft. This controller would make a wonderful addition to a specialist or general RAF collection. Box measures 9.5" x 5.5" (24.5 cm x 13.5 cm) The unit weighs 2.5 kilos unpacked so please check for a delivered price before ordering!
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6163
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| Marching or Flying by Night Without a Compass We spotted this modest volume on our travels recently and could not resist it! A very interesting and informative book by Colonel W.A.Tilney, first published in 1915, to aid both soldiers and aviators to find their way home when caught behind enemy lines or over enemy territory. Entitled "Marching or Flying by Night Without a Compass " this soft back example is the 11th edition published in 1940 when no doubt WWII aviators and ground troops found it equally useful in the days long before GPS! It is in very good used condition and is named on the cover to E.P.Jones. It includes a 'Timetable of Directional Stars' for every month of the year and can be used between Latitudes 40 Degrees North - 55 Degrees North. In the introduction Col Tilney states 'On the conclusion of hostilities in the Great war after the system had been tried and tested hundreds of men serving under my command owe their lives and liberty to this simple process'! The booklet contains fold out maps at the back showing stars in the north and south end of the heavenly dome as well as summer, autumn winter and spring direction stars as per the photographs. Would enhance any collection. Measures 6" x 3.5" (15 cm x 9 cm)
Pages: 57
Cover: Soft
Author: Colonel W.A.Tilney
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| RAF Message Streamer - We have occasionally managed to source examples of RFC message streamers, but this one is unusual in that it is Air Ministry marked so this one clearly dates from after the formation of the RAF in 1918. These double tail streamers were used for dropping written messages from aircrew in the days before radio communications. The streamer created drag thus reducing the speed of the message bag as it fell to the ground and the long colourful tail made location and pick up on the ground simpler. The business end is stamped with a Kings Crown, A.M. and the manufacturers number B27575/39/C.I. (C) which surprisingly seems to date it to 1939! The other unusual thing about this example is instead of containing pig iron for weighting purposes the sealed compartment appears to contain sand. On the opposite side is a press stud closing flap to enable to message to be secured within the streamer. The condition is excellent and the colours crisp and only fault is a couple of very small moth nibbles which hardly notice. Measures 56" (142 cm)
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| Emergency Seat Pack Rubber Water Cushion - this example is fitted within a zipped canvas pouch stamped Stores ref 27C/2134 'Jecco'. This company was founded in Bournemouth in 1926 under the name John E Clarke and Company Ltd, a coach and car trimming business designing car hoods, coachworks and other products and was contractor to the Air Ministry in WWII. The zip (by Dot) is in working order and by opening reveals the water cushion inside. The cushion has a metal plug for filling and emptying (marked 27) in the corner of the cushion. The cap retention chain is in place but no longer attached to the cap. The cushion is complete although the rubber is somewhat dried with minor cracking to edges and can no longer be guaranteed for its original purpose but back in WWII would literally have been a life saver to aircrew who crashed in the desert or at sea! It is faintly stamped with Stores Ref nos 27C/2138.
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| Coverfall Flyers Summer Spec MIL-C-831141A - The suit is fully badged with German flag and rank bars to shoulders and with a large name badge to left chest featuring a Tornedo fighter bomber with Feldmann below and in addition P. Kallweit. Further badge to opposite chest marked Air Training Command and further badges on either sleeve. The suit is marked 38S and is in good issued condition.
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