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 | Original Oak Flooring from from RAF Bentley Priory - Removed from Bentley Priory during restorations. The section of oak flooring, which is tongued and grooved, is mounted with a Kings Crown RAF Fighter Command plaque with the motto 'Offence Defence'. Below that is a brass plaque which confirms the provenance 'Part of the oak flooring of Bentley Priory Headquarters Fighter Command from where Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding directed the Battle of Britain.' Recent fears that Bentley Priory, which was designed by 19th Century architect Sir John Soane, would be lost to the nation have been proved unfounded after a long campaign and the fine building located in Stanmore, north west London, will become a permanent memorial to Fighter Command's crucial role in protecting Britain from Luftwaffe raids. The museum is scheduled to open in September 2013. We can only speculate who walked on this section of floor board but nice to think it came from 'Stuffy' Dowding's own office and 'listened in' to conversations between the great man and Sir Keith Parks and others back in the dark days of 1940. The section of original flooring measures 4.5" x 3.5" (11 cm x 9 cm). A modest but important piece of Battle of Britain memorabilia!
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| RAF No 1 Group Headquarters Bomber Command Station Plaque - A superb original hand painted example featuring a black panther's head. The badge commemorates the code name 'Panther' which the Group had in 1939 at the time of its mobilisation for service in France, as the Advanced Air Striking Force. This is surmounted by a Kings Crown and below the motto 'Swift to Attack'. The shield is finished in varnished oak and on the back we discovered hand written 'Hucknall 1940 '. A little research has revealed Hucknall is one of the oldest airfields in the country that has seen continuous use since it was built in 1916. No 1 Group Bomber Command, on returning from France in June 1940, reformed at Hucknall in Nottinghamshire with Fairy Battles then Vickers Wellingtons in its arsenal. Polish squadrons came under 1 Group's command between 1940 and '41 bringing in much needed pilots, hoping to ensure the War would soon be won. In 1942, No 1 Group re-equipped with Halifax's and Lancaster's and attacked the Ruhr Valley, Cologne and Berlin with over 1000 bomber ops flown. Our plaque is fitted with brass mounting points on the reverse and we assume it would have been displayed somewhere on the base HQ at RAF Hucknall during WWII. The original painting has been varnished over, probably for protection and whilst the varnish has lifted in places the colours are still vibrant. A definite one off! Measures 15.25" (39 cm)
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| RAF Pilot or Navigator's Stopwatch Mk IIIA - The reverse of the case is unusually simply marked with a AM, a King's Crown and 818, rather than the normally seen code 6B/117 or 6B/221. The main dial is graduated from 0-60 seconds and the subsidiary 0-30 minutes. This example has been personally highlighted in red at the 7 and 10 minute marks and clearly an addition made by the original owner. It appears in good working order, although on sale as a collectable and we cannot guarantee its time keeping properties. Please also see associated item 5448B.
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| Luftwaffe LKpW101 Flying Helmet - An excellent example of the standard Winter pattern with a leather shell and sheepskin lining. Generally in excellent issued condition with all correct snaps and buckles in place, together with provision for attaching a 3 point oxygen mask. The metal parts show minor age related rust. The helmet is fully wired with long communication cord fitted with a 4 pin jack plug marked Fl 27650 and also carries lozenge shaped throat microphones embossed Ln 26779-2. Inside the label is in place confirming the helmet was made Siemens and Gerat nos 124-436A. The label carries various other ink stamps but these are not clear. The Perspex receiver covers are still in place and not damaged like so many. The only issue with this helmet is the inner brow lining pad has been removed at some stage but this is not visible when on display. An excellent display helmet in above the average condition.
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| 6th Aircrew Meeting 2000 Stein Mug - Transfer mark to the front with the above mentioned details together with Jabo G38 Javer and Tornado with three outline pictures of Tornado aircraft finished in national flag colours of England, Germany and Italy. The capacity of the stein is 0.5L. In excellent condition.
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| Gold Visibility Meter Mk II - This wonderful instrument was invented by Captain Ernest Gold who was was General Haig's 'weather man' in WWI. He served with the RFC, who in 1915 were the only people really interested in meteorology. He was a brilliant graduate and rose to very senior posts between the wars. His 'Gold Visibility Meter', was used for making the accurate assessment of visibility on airfields at night feasible for the first time. The device was operated by Met Office staff where there were often two visibility lights mounted at the far end of the runway. These carried very high quality incandescent bulbs of a known candle power. The Visibility Meter consisted of a graduated glass slide ranging from completely clear to completely black. Each Observer routinely calibrates them on nights of very good visibility. This is done by drawing the slide across the viewing field until the Vis Light is just extinguished. On a night of poor vis the point at which the light then extinguishes gives an indication of the opacity of the atmosphere between the observer and the Vis Light and the Met officer could recommend if conditions were good enough for flying. Our instrument comes complete in its Bakelite storage box and carries serial number 1487/43 dating it to 1943 and was manufactured by Casella of London. It is complete with rubber eye piece in good condition and the often missing extension tube for the reverse side. Transit case measures 11" x 3.5" (28 cm x 9 cm.)These instruments were only declared obsolete in 1966.
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| Air Ministry Registry Canvas Bag - And now for something completely different! This bag is made of the same heavy green canvas used to manufacture those desirable WWII RAF navigators bags which are now so sort after. Both the front and back panels have heavy brass eyelets inserted and with clear stencil writing to the front panel 'Please return quickly to Air Ministry Registry Whitehall'. We can only assume this was a document bag used in the same manner as postal services bags for transporting important Air Ministry related documents to and from overseas postings. If any visitors to the site can help with a more accurate description and original usage please drop us a line and we can add to the listing. The bag is in exceptional condition and whilst not dated we are assuming it dates to WWII or perhaps early post war. This is the only example we have ever seen and would seem to be a scarce example of RAF memorabilia. Measures 19" x16" (48 cm x 40 cm)
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| RAF C type Flying Helmet - a 2nd pattern with an internal wiring loom which was introduced into RAF service in 1944 in excellent original condition. It is clearly stamped with the military broad arrow property mark and the stores reference number 22C/879 making this a size 3 helmet at 7 1/8-7 3/8th inches. The leather is still soft and generally above average condition with just the odd rub and scuff. All the goggle and oxygen mask snaps are in place and working and the chin strap retains its elasticity. The loom is in near perfect condition with the correct wartime bell shaped jack plug and the classic 'hangman's loop' has been added to shorten the cord length. Receivers are marked 10A/13466 and the rubber receiver carriers are in great shape. Inside the lining is in excellent condition with no holes or damage. The size stamping is still clear and hand written is R.W.S. which we assume to be the initials of an original owner. The name Hampton has also been added but sadly no history with this one. The velvet brow pad is again perfect. Overall an excellent example of this classic RAF WWII/early post war flying helmet. We are also listing today a set of RAF Mk VIII goggles that would display perfectly with this example.
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| Original Oak Flooring from from RAF Bentley Priory - Removed from Bentley Priory during restorations this example has been display mounted on a shield and was presented to the original owner for his services whilst appointed the Her Majesty the Queen's Royal Flight. The section of oak flooring, which is tongued and grooved, is mounted with a Kings Crown RAF Fighter Command plaque with the motto 'Offence Defence'. Below that is a brass plaque which confirms the provenance 'Part of the oak flooring of Bentley Priory Headquarters Fighter Command from where Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding directed the Battle of Britain.' Recent fears that Bentley Priory, which was designed by 19th Century architect Sir John Soane, would be lost to the nation have been proved unfounded after a long campaign and the fine building located in Stanmore, north west London, will become a permanent memorial to Fighter Command's crucial role in protecting Britain from Luftwaffe raids. The museum is scheduled to open in September 2013. We can only speculate who walked on this section of floor board but nice to think it came from 'Stuffy' Dowding's own office and 'listened in' to conversations between the great man and Sir Keith Parks and others back in the dark days of 1940. The section of original flooring measures 4.5" x 3.5" (11 cm x 9 cm) and the shield is 7" x 6" (18 cm x 15 cm). A modest but important piece of Battle of Britain memorabilia!
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| R.F.C. Period Triplex A3 Goggles - an excellent and scarce example which were sold commercially as motoring goggles but were used extensively by Royal Flying Corps pilots in the early years of WWI. They come complete with their original leatherette carrying case that is clearly marked Motor Goggles 'A 3' Model. The goggles themselves are in excellent original condition with yellow tinted lenses fitted. The aluminium lens frame is stamped Patent nos 127545 and below Registration number 667594. The cotton back strap shows some age wear but fine for display and the leather attachment points are both clearly stamped TRIPLEX XXX Registered Trade Mark. The inside of the goggle frame is lined with faux fur and again all is in good shape. An identical set is illustrated in Mick Prodger's excellent Vintage Flying Helmets book bottom right on page 135 and described as 'Typical early war goggles of similar design to the Triplex C-2, but without the laminated Triplex lenses.' These would display very well in conjunction with an RFC period aviators flying helmet. These early goggles are hard to find in any condition so exceptional to find to this standard and with the original issue case.
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| RAF Mk VIII Flying Goggles - Stores ref. no. 22C/939. This pattern was introduced in late 1943 and continued in service until the 1970's. This example is complete with the original issue box where the stores reference number has been altered to read 22C/4466583 as well as an indent number and RW 0156 383. The box contains the original demisting cloth and tin both dated 1942 and to complete the set it comes with a spare set of tinted lenses as issued. The goggles are in sound issued condition with just minor paint rub to the brass frames The leather face pads are good whilst the inner side shows service use. The clear lenses fitted are in excellent shape with none of the normal fogging. The original elastic back strap carries some rust staining but is still elastic. To summarise a nice original boxed set with all the extras. These would display well with the RAF C type we have just list
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| Luftwaffe FK-33 Flying Helmet - this was the standard WWII unwired summer helmet for use by aircrew for primary training as well as for combat crew positions where no communication was necessary. These were also used by single engine fighter pilots early on during the Blitzkrieg in 1939/40. It is interesting by mid war virtually all crew positions required radio contact this helmet is documented in manufacture certainly until 1943 with later examples carrying the provision for attaching two and three point oxygen mask. Our example appears to be an interim version with clips for an oxygen mask and interestingly carries a crown snap fastener which is believed to be an early attachment method for a tree point mask. An identical helmet is featured in Mick Prodger's 'Vintage Flying Helmets' book, bottom of page 232. Inside the cotton lining is close to perfect and judging from the overall exceptional condition and appears to have seen only very light use. A fine specimen often missing from WWII Luftwaffe collections. A further bonus is it is a good size, possibly a 58.
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| Luftwaffe K-33 Grey Leather Flying Helmet - this example being of similar deign to the summer version K-34 helmet we have also listed today but is the winter version, having a short pile lambs wool lining. This helmet has no label but seems to be a medium size. It has provision for a 3 point oxygen mask looks to be mid war production. Grey leather helmets do not appear on the market very often, and are reported to have often been used in conjunction with the grey leather flight suits favoured by Me 262 pilots. A near identical specification helmet to ours is illustrated in Mick Prodger's 'Luftwaffe v RAF Fight Clothing' book on page 23. Another often missed pattern that could complete a gap in the more specialist Luftwaffe collection.
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| Luftwaffe Grey Leather Flight Jacket - This example features a so far unidentified cloth patch to the left breast, showing a prancing horse and the number 72. On the left shoulder is a further badge embroidered 1/151 and Baren Stark and an image of a helicopter which we believe to represent a Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. A winged badge as well as a name tag have been removed from the jacket. It also carries rank tabs and the national flag. Inside the zip pocket an original issue label indicates the size as a GR 9 which we estimate would comfortable fit chest size 40-41" (100-104 cm). The jacket was manufactured in May 1988. Knits and zips all in good shape and a very practical and wearable flight jacket.
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| RAF Spectacles Flying Aircrew Mk VIII - This pattern was first issued in 1943 to all crew members for glare protection in flight. This example is in the original case with a broad arrow property mark with stores ref. 22C/962 indicating a small size. They are fitted with convex grey tinted lenses, steel frame and folding arms. All in excellent issued condition and becoming increasingly hard to find.
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| Lorenz Telefunken T2 Luftwaffe Morse Code Telegraph Key - The T2 was developed for use in aircraft being a smaller and lighter key than other models and was called the Lorenz key. The name come from the factory that initially developed this key, but subsequently they were built by several suppliers. Ours is clearly marked on the data plate Gerat 124-402A-1 Werk nr.40126-40 and Anforder Z Ln 26906. The case appears to be made of Bakelite and hinges up. The mechanism has a lightning bolt in red we assume indicating high voltage within. The base features non slip rubber and is ink stamped 11 37. The only issue with this example is the cable is partly perished and no plug is fitted but this could easily be removed for display purposes. We bought this key with the DR2 'Knemeyer' we have also just listed directly from the family of the wartime owner. He appears to have flown the ME 410 and we speculate this may have been removed from this aircraft. We have certainly seen the T2 being used in the ME110. Measures 6" x3" (15 cm x 8 cm)
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| German Flight Suit 0/B5 7H/B0043/B0721 - Finished to light grey fabric with national flag and rank tabs to shoulders. To right chest is a Phantom badge with RF-4E below, together with an Owl badge dated 17.09.92. Size is marked at 52 and is made in Hamburg. Good issued condition.
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| Coverall Flyers Summer SPO100-96-D-0302 - Fully badged with German flag and rank bars to shoulders with Nato Awacs E-3A to right chest. Further Nato Awacs badge to right arm and Nato flying squadron no. 3 to left. Size 48R and the suit is in good issued condition.
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| French Air Force issue Cebe 4000 Flying Goggles - An increasingly rare set of 1940 dated goggles with the frame, hinge, lenses are all being in great condition and no issues. The double elastic back strap is complete as shown and nice to see the second set which often get lost on this pattern. The clips for attaching to the frame are perfect and full working order. The original curved lenses are fitted and again great condition. The rubber is generally good but a little age wear as shown but should not cause any issues for display. The leather face pad is nice clean condition and of course helps the integrity of the rubber outer. The original issue box is a further bonus and is fully stamped with full details as well as a May 1940 date so these could well have served during the Battle of France and with the Free French during the battle of Britain. The top strap is missing from the box however. The set is completed by the instruction sheets but these are copies taken from an original. This a is only the second set of Cebe 4000 we have had in the last 10 years so to describe them as scarce is no understatement!
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| Marconi-Newton Windmill Propeller & Generator - the metal propeller is marked constant speed windmill and Pat No 262558/1926 Type 183. It also carries a military broad arrow property mark and an Air Ministry Reference 5U/4528 and whilst we don't know the aircraft it came from it clearly served with the RAF. The propeller is attached to a 12 Volt generator and at 3500-4000 RPM it would have delivered 150 Watts. This unit is for sale as a collectable only although it may be the generator does still work but we are unable to offer any C of A.. The propeller measures 22.5" (56 cm) and the generator is 9" long (22 cm). The whole unit weighs a hefty 6 kilos so would suggest on this one overseas shipping may prove prohibitive although if you can pay we can ship worldwide!
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