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 | Combat Flying Equipment A superb first edition covering U.S. Army Aviators' personal equipment from 1917-1945. Published in 1989 and is profusely illustrated with period black and white photographs and diagrams. Covers oxygen equipment, parachutes, armour, pressure suits and survival items. A great reference book for all USAAF collectors and getting hard to find. In excellent used condition.
Pages: 244
Cover: Hard
Author: C. G. Sweeping
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| RAF Inspectorate of Recruiting Plaque - Manufactured from cast alluminium, it has provision for mounting to a wall on the reverse and was probably used outside the Inspectorate section. The paintwork has been renewed, based on the remains of the original paint and the item is in good condition. It is surmounted by a Queen's Crown, so it is definitely post war. It is a large and imposing item measuring 19" x 15" (48 cm x 38 cm).
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| The Battle of Britain Tankard by Gordon Davies - Issued by the RAFA in 1990 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It features fine transfer prints of Spitfires, although sadly the Hurricane that played such a crucial role has been omitted! It also features a pilot scrambling as well as the RAF crest. Measures 5" high (12 cm), 1 pint capacity.
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| 1941 Pattern Flying Gloves - RAF, Ref. 22C/753 Size 10. Characteristic slanted zips fitted, in good working order. Like most RAF wartime gloves, the left and the right were made by different contractors (to reduce the liklehood of theft), but appear to have been worn as a pair. In excellent service condition.
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| Trench Art Eagle and Letter Opener - Manufactured from Plexiglas, almost certainly recovered from crashed aircraft. The eagle is mounted on a hardwood base with detailed carving. This is accompanied by a letter opener made from the same material and embossed on the handle, Tunis 1943. These items were purchased together and were probably fashioned by the same hand. Eagle wing span 6" (15 cm), letter opener 8" (20 cm)
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| USN M-422A Jacket - or maybe an early G-1? The manufacturer's label is still in place but we can not decipher it - either way, this is an early jacket in excellent condition. The lining has been professionally replaced and the badge is a modern replica; the "Vet" understandably wanted to keep his original squadron badge and name tag. Talon zip fitted and, while the jacket shows some service wear, overall it is in excellent shape. Size is marked at 40" (102 cm) but seems to fit bigger. Knitted cuffs and waist band in good condition with USN stenciled behind the mouton collar. A great example of this classic Navy flight jacket.
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| RAF Trench Art Ashtray - Made from batttlefield brass. Very finely worked with King's Crown, RAF and 'Souvenir of Egypt 1942'. Small but beautifully formed and a reminder of the Desert War 66 years ago. Diameter 4" (10.5 cm)
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| 614 Bomb Squadron Mounted Plaque - Manufactured in cast brass, featuring a devil's head, horse shoe and falling bomb and with an enamel 8th Airforce plaque above. It is mounted on a pine backboard. Below is a nicely engraved plaque named to 614th Bomb Sqn. 401 St Bomb GP (H). The 8th Airforce B-17's were based at Deenethorpe, England from November '43 to April '45. The reverse of the board carries information on the 401 Bomb Group and the 614 Bomb Squadron. We have no idea of age, but would imagine this has been made up post war. Board measurements are 14" x 11" (36 cm x 28 cm).
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| RAF Unit Plaques mounted on oak shields. - We have three available, named to Electrical & Wireless School, 30 and 107 Maintenance Units. These are quality plaques manufactured by Hunter & Smallpage Ltd. of York and are cast from metal rather than the more common resin or plaster examples. We bought as a set and presume the original owner served at these establishments. Each measures 9.5" (24 cm) high and 7" (18 cm) wide. While we have priced individually, we would sell the set of three for £30.
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| WWII Steel Helmet - Finished in RAF blue with original paint showing normal service wear. The helmet is fitted with the issue liner stamped 7 and the correct canvas and webbing chin strap which is named to H. Trebble. The outer rim of the helmet has 4 holes punched through it near the chin strap attachment point rivets and we believe this was done after manufacture indicating the helmet did not reach the inspector's quality standards for front line use.
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| RAF Type 27 Camera Mouting Bracket - This is a wonderful example of creative engineering and we like it a lot! It is designed to hold an appropriate camera and by manipulating the various milled wheels, the angle of aim can be very finely adjusted. An engraved brass plaque is riveted to the side of the instrument which is marked with the King's Crown and AM (Air Ministry) and a stores code 14A/1042 and serial no. B37982. The whole device would have been locked onto an appropriate mount and while we have never had one of these before, if you happen to have a suitable RAF camera, this would be the ideal display aid as well as being a wonderful item in its own right.
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| RAF Flying Boots - Post war example, finished in black leather and in excellent issued condion. Marked with a broad arrow, these boots are UK size 8 and are named to A. W. Henry. This pattern dates to the 1950's and they conform to the WWII escape boots with the leg section designed to be cut away converting the boots to conventional shoes if downed over enemy territory. The soles have been repaired but generally an excellent example from the Cold War period.
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| USAAF B-3 Flying Jacket by H L B Corp - An orginal example with a 1942 contract date and woven label indicating size 36" regular. The jacket has a nice patina and is in generally good issued condition but some old repairs mainly to left arm. Correct waist and collar straps fitted and fur lining in good condition. We have had the zip professionally repaired with the correct specification Talon example. Hanging strap is absent.
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| Trench Art Plaque named to 50 Bomber Squadron - Skillfully worked in brushed alluminium with a black mount. The alluminium has been finely engraved and painted with a King's Crown, 50 Squadron Crest and below F/S R. Stansfield, who we imagine was responsible for creating this piece. 50 Squadron was reformed in 1937 flying Hampdens from RAF Waddington and they were responsible for dropping the first bombs in anger in WWII. Minor wear to paint, but generally excellent condition. 10.25" x 8.75" (26 cm x 23 cm)
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| Air Ministry Hand Bell 1940 - As used on RAF stations throughout WWII. This one comes from my own collection and is a text book example with a good clear King's Crown and AM property mark as well as contract number B 66777-40 and below C22C. The bell is made from brass with a hardwood handle and original clapper and still produces a good clear ring. Measures 10" (25 cm).
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| Luftwaffe Grey Leather Flying Jacket - This example is in excellent issued condition. Zip closure to front as well as on chest pocket and arm and all in good working order. NATO woven AWAC badge to front and German flags on both shoulders. There is evidence of pilot's wings and other badges which have been removed. The jacket is fitted with a bright orange lining and was designed to be reversible as an aid to rescue in an emergency. The lining is marked with a large letter A. The knitted waist band, cuffs and collar show signs of wear, but are in generally good condition. An original label is fitted indicating GR14 186-100 and the manufacturing date of 11/89. This jacket is a generous size and has a further label indicating 14, but we would estimate it would comfortably fit up to a 44" chest (112 cm). I own one of these jackets myself and can pass on my personal recommendation!
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| Battle of Britain period Luftwaffe Mess Hall Teaspoons - We now have just 3 remaining from the original set. All featuring the early droop tail Luftwaffe national emblem on the handles. The reverse of the spoons is clearly marked H.M.Z.39 and the Luftwaffe property mark code FL.U.V. H.M.Z. indicates the manufacturing code for Arbeitsgemeinschaft Holz Des Klingensthaler Bezirkes Brunndoebra. Manufactured in 1939, we sadly have no provenance with them, but they would have served throughout the war and no doubt have a story to tell! Made from aluminium, they measure 15 cm (5.75").
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| US Army Air Corp no. 1A Flying Helmet by Western Electric - A very scarce and early example, this represents the very first US helmet to incorporate radio telephone equipment and saw limited use in the final years of WWII. The earliest examples laced up the back and over the crown of the head, while this is a slightly later version with lacing in the neck area, but the crown is fitted with an adjustment strap. The tan leather receiver covers are marked H8 and both the wiring snaps are present and working, although the helmet is unwired and receivers are not fitted. Due to problems with the development of a suitable oxygen mask to accompany the 1A helmet, its issue and use was restriced. The tan leather is in exceptional condition, as is the blanket lined interior, which is fitted with a woven label to Western Electric. The helmet is marked medium, but appears to fit somewhat larger.
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| Air Ministry Handbell 1939 - As used on wartime RAF stations. Stamped with King's Crown, AM and on reverse contract no. B16956-39 C22(B). Brass with turned wood handle and with original clapper fitted. This bell probably saw service throughout WWII. In excellent condition. 25 cm.
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| Newman Industries Ltd. Yate Presentation Ashtray - Mounted above is a fine brass model of a Hurricane fighter on a painted metal stand. Newmans of Yate, nr. Bristol were contracted by the Air Ministry in WWII to fabicate aircraft parts and we assume this included components for the Hurricane. The factory was clearly considered a threat by the German High Command and was bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1941. The ashtray base, which could be made from Bakelite, has a minor chip to the lower edge, but this does obviously detract and is a fine example which was no doubt presented by Newmans to their corporate customers at the time. Diameter 7" (17 cm)
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