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 | RAF 1943 Pattern Escape Boots with a twist! - This pair was recently purchased in Normandy and show how the 1943 pattern flying boot can be transformed as the designer Major Clayton Hutton of MI9 intended. The leg section has been carefully cut away leaving in place of an obvious pair of aircrew flying boots a 5 eyelet cap Oxford shoe that would not have been out of place in Oxford Street or in the then German occupied Avenue des Champs-Élysées thus giving the downed airman a much better chance of avoiding capture. Clearly we can only speculate on the provenance of this pair but lets hope the owner managed to link up with La Résistance Française and he was able to make a home run leaving only his footwear behind in Normandy! The shoes show signs of wear and interestingly the original leather soles have been repaired with rubber that have hand cut grooves cut into them to give better grip. This could indicate post war civilian use under new ownership! The interior still features the lambs wool lining that would have extended up the original leg to keep the airman warm in flight. It seems the escape knife having performed its intended role was then discarded and is now sadly missing. In line with all 1943 pattern boots no size is marked but we would estimate these to be around a UK size 10-11 (45-46).Few collectors would mutilate an original set of escape boots but here you have the chance to display this set in the 'escape mode' perhaps alongside an 'as issued' pair. The shoe fillers are for display purposes only and are not included in the sale.
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| RAF Type 'D' Flying Gauntlets - a really top quality matched pair carrying broad arrow marked labels confirming stores reference nos 22C/769 for the left glove and 22C/772 for the right. They also both carry the same code 10440 indicating unlike many RAF wartime flying gloves they have never been mismatched. These are a large size 10 and whilst they were designed to be worn as part of the D heated system with electrically wired inners they were often used alone or with unheated silk inners. This set would be impossible to upgrade with very soft light tan leather in virtually unmarked condition.
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| Trench Art Plexiglas Table Lamp - A most unusual, decorative and useful item. The base and stem are all made from material salvaged from aircraft canopy acrylic. The base is in octagonal form and has a King's Crown RAF sweetheart badge applied to it with a matching octagonal fitting to the top of the stem. The lamp has just been rewired with modern braided cable together with a new lamp holder. The lampshade fitted is for photographic purposes only and is not included in the sale. Height 15" (38 cm)
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| 40th Anniversary D Day Tie signed by Major John Howard - This tie, which is number 6 of a limited edition of 1, 000, was issued in 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the D Day Landings and the invasion of Europe. The diagonal stripes signify the D Day invasion stripes while the burning sword is the insignia Shaef, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. What makes this example particularly special is that the label is autographed by the late Major John Howard who landed by Horsa glider at Ranville Benouville and led the capture of Pegasus Bridge, thus playing a vital part in the success of the D Day landings. The tie is in perfect condition but would benefit from mounting and framing for display purposes.
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| Luftwaffe vs. RAF Flying Equipment of the Air War 1939-45 The companion volume to the above examining the development and use of personal flying equipment in WWII. Covers a wide variety of equipment including parachutes, life preservers, escape equipment and weapons of self defence. Superbly illustrated throughout and another reference book we use on a daily basis. Thoroughly recommended.
Pages: 144
Cover: Hard
Author: Mick J. Prodger
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1178
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| Luftwaffe vs. RAF Flying Clothing of the Air War 1939-45 This is our bible in the office! Detailed examination of RAF and Luftwaffe flight jackets, suits, headgear and other items worn by the opposing sides in WWII. Superbly illustrated, mainly in full colour with many period photographs. An indispensable reference book for all aviation enthusiasts.
Pages: 160
Cover: Hard
Author: Mick J. Prodger
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| Battle of Britain period Air Ministry Spanner - An excellent issued example nicely marked with a large AM (Air Ministry) and Kings Crown property mark and dated 1940. The reverse confirms the dual size in BSW (British Standard Whitworth) in the old Imperial measurement scale devised in 1841. Interestingly one end has been damaged in use and skilfully braised so it safe to assume this spanner served its time back in the summer of 1940! measures 6.5" (17 cm)
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| Royal Flying Corps Trench Art Walking Stick - a really superb WWI example in untouched original condition. The tapering shaft is made of polished ash and riveted to the top is an aluminium knob with a turned top, possibly from a cockpit control and below it a red composite spacer which has also been riveted to the shaft. The original owners initials are then carved in the top of the shaft I.H. and below a propeller motif which is inlaid into the stick, which also appears to be cut from aircraft alloy and below this R.F.C. The opposite end of the stick is fitted with a rubber tip which is attached to what we believe to be a horn ferrule. When purchased the previous owner, who bought from the family, had been told the stick was made entirely from WWI period aircraft parts and we can only concur with this analysis. Sadly the exact provenance and name of the original owner has now been lost down the years, but luckily his stick remains in remarkable condition and represents a fine example of period trench art. Measures 35" (88 cm)
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| Royal Flying Corps Cigarette Case - a superb solid silver example in the classic curved shape, designed to sit well in a tunic pocket and carrying a finely engraved RFC pilots brevet to the front as well as the campaigns the original owner served in. Above the RFC wings we have France, with the engraving slightly worn and below is Egypt and Salonica. Immediately beneath the wings Macedonia with the dates 1916-17-18, with final campaigns listed as Malta, Crete and Italy. Sadly no name or even initials have been added so like the RFC walking stick we have just listed we have no way of ascertaining who the original owner was but on the assumption he was aircrew he must have been either highly skilled or highly lucky (or most likely both! to have survived what appears to be nearly every major theatre of World War 1 when the life expectancy of RFC aircrew was often numbered in weeks if not days. The inside of the case is clearly hallmarked with an anchor and lion motif and date letter 'W' confirming the case was manufactured in Birmingham in 1921. We have however been unable to decipher the makers mark. We can only assume it was purchased by or presented to the owner after serving and surviving WWI as a reminder of his service in the Royal Flying Corps. The case is in generally good used condition commensurate with its age and was clearly used for the purpose it was intended and was not just a decorative piece sitting in a draw or display cabinet. The hinge and latch mechanism are in good working order and it still retains the original elastic to hold a single row of Woodies, or dare I say it, perhaps Senior Service, in place? Measures 4.5" x 3.25" (11.5 cm x 8.5 cm.)
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| RAF Dinghy Seat Pack Type A Mk 3* - stores reference 27C/2088 and designed to carry the single-man fighter pilot Type K dinghy was carried folded within the pack attached to the seat type parachute in place of the usual Sorbo rubber seat cushion. Manufactured in heavy olive drab cotton canvas, broadly rectangular in shape with a separate cover attached with press-studs. These packs have internal stowage pockets to house the accessories not carried within the dinghy itself. This example benefits from being fitted with an emergency rubber water cushion for drinking purposes stamped 27C/2138 and enclosed within a canvas zipped cover marked 27C/2138 and Jecco. The exterior of the pack carries a multi-lingual label stitched to the cover in we believe English, French, Czech and Polish. The pack is complete withy lanyard and 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.
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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. Manufactured in heavy olive drab cotton canvas, broadly rectangular in shape with a separate cover attached with press-studs. These packs have internal stowage pockets to house the accessories not carried within the dinghy itself. This example benefits from being fitted with an emergency rubber water cushion for drinking purposes stamped 27C/2134 and enclosed within a purple canvas zipped cover marked V.D.The exterior of the pack carries a multi-lingual label stitched to the cover in we believe 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.
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| Battle of Britain period Luftwaffe Mess Plate - very crisply marked on reverse with Luftwaffe Eagle and Fl. U.V. Below it has a crest which confirms the German Military Reichwaffenamt. It is also dated 1940 so certainly would have served through the Battle of Britain. It is in good used condition and measures 9.5" (24 cm)
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| Air Ministry Issue Carpenter's Rule - A fine early example made from warranted boxwood by the quality Birmingham manufacturer J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham. The rule is clearly embossed with A.M., King's Crown and is dated 1931. The rule extends, utilising solid brass hinges and while showing minor age wear, is in remarkable condition. Extended length 24" (61 cm)
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| Malta Mess Bell 1947-50 - We bought this lovely mess bell from a gentleman in Devon who had owned it for years and the family history handed down with it was it served at RAF Luqa with 73 Squadron. We have checked on line and the dates 1947-50 seem to line up with when 73 Squadron were then based on the Island flying Spitfires and Vampires and were subsequently posted to Leconfield in 1950. The base measures 6.75 long (17 cm) and seems to be made of Bakelite. The bell stands 5.5" high (14 cm.).Bell itself is 3.5" across the mouth (8.5CM).It has a very nice tone and is operated by turning the knurled ends. It has no makers or other marks and seeing its construction it appears to have been made up on the Island. Certainly a one off!
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| Supermarine Swift 1/72 Scale Balsa Model by Bateman - On offer is a completed painted model with Royal Navy decals together with a part made similar model in its original packaging and complete with building instructions. We estimate these models date from the 1950's so contemporary with the full size aircraft which while pretty, did not have the most illustrious service career and was replaced with the far more successful Hawker Hunter in 1961. Wing span of model 5.5" (14 cm)
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| RAF Mk VII Flying Goggles 2nd pattern - On offer are a superb set of original Mk VII flying goggles that have been fully refurbished to a very high standard indeed. The brass frame and flip shield mount, which is marked with a Kings Crown, AM and stores reference number 22C/826, are original items but have been re finished in the correct deep blue paint. The leather parts and face pads are replacement items but are exact copies of the original reflecting how the goggles would have looked when issued back in 1942. The back strap is an original issue item, but would have originally been fitted to wartime RAF night training goggles. These goggles do turn up from time to time and we have seen them listed on some websites and e bay as 'mint unissued originals' which is not entirely accurate! We describe them exactly as they are and offer at a price well below what a set of originals in this condition would cost today. These would display perfectly with an appropriate RAF flying helmet and oxygen mask but would also be ideal for the re enactor to wear without risking damaging a 100% original set. The tinted lenses fitted to these goggles in our view give them the edge over the clear lenses normally seen.
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| Aircraft Generator Propeller - This example unusually comes with its original pine box (lacking lid). The propeller is larger than those we normally see with a diameter of 61 cm (24"). It carries original stencilling to one blade, reading 247 and embossed on the hub with the letter E. It is reputed to be of the type used on airships and the flat pitch of the blades would seem to support this. Manufactured in hardwood, it has a lovely patina and in excellent conditon with just a tiny chip to one blade end.
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| Supermarine Spitfire 'Desk Tidy' Trench Art - A superb example featuring a hardwood base on which is mounted an aircraft alloy 'lightning bolt' stand with a small but nicely detailed Spitfire mounted on top, which is also fashioned from aircraft alloy and fitted with turning three bladed propeller. Two aluminium strips are fitted to the front of the base to hold a pen or pencil in position. To the rear right of the base is a further aluminium container with a sprung loaded flip top which carries a Kings Crown and RAF albatross logo, possibly fashioned from an RAF button. Inside the container we found an original used Edward VII stamp! Clearly period made, this is a totally unique item and several cuts above standard trench art. The base measures 6.75" x 4.5" (17 cm x 11 cm). The Spitfire stands 6" high (15 cm) and has a wingspan of 4" (10 cm)
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| Aircraft Propeller Paper Knife - Just what every aviation enthusiast needs on his desk! A beautifully detailed and very tactile two bladed propeller finished in chrome with central hub and spinner. The paper knife measures 10" (25 cm). No idea of its history of age but here at the Oldnautibits HQ we have never seen another. An ideal Christmas present that you won't find listed on Amazon. com!
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| U.S.A.A.F. Flying Helmet named to 1st Lt. Talmage L Ambrose - A fine AN-H-15 Summer flying helmet manufactured by the Bates Shoe Co. with a contract number dating it to 1944. Manufactured from beige cotton helmet the size is marked as medium. The cloth is in excellent condition. Shows minor storage soiling and age wear only. AAF labelled. Good strap complete with velvet chin pad protector. The helmet is fully wired with the receivers stamped ANB-H-1 and made by the Rola Company and over stamped SC3339A, both connected to a communication cord marked Headset HS 38. The helmet is fitted with snaps and clips for oxygen mask attachment. Inside the helmet is in excellent issued condition and is complete with a woven AAF label. What lifts this helmet from the good to the exceptional is that stencilled inside is named to the wartime owner Ambrose service number 0767060. Subsequent research confirms the helmet belonged to TALMADGE L. AMBROSE, born in Akron, Ohio. On completion of his training he was posted overseas to European Theatre on Operations and assigned to 373 Fighter Group, 410 Fighter Squadron, joining the unit in Normandy flying the P -47 Thunderbolt. He flew 84 missions, destroying at total 11 enemy aircraft. His kill tally including four FW 190-D's in one afternoon over Hanover, Germany on April 8, 1945, and for this action he was awarded a DSC. In addition he won the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, 17 man, Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Pacific Theatre and European Theatre Medals with 5 Battle Stars and Unit Citation Medal. During one operation Ambrose was shot down by 22 mm ground fire over Siegfried Line. Indeed a helmet with history and something rather unique for a serious AAF collection!
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