Air Ministry First Aid Outfit Aircraft

In near mint and unissued condition, with just very minor storage marks. Made from olive green cotton, with a satchel type flap cover which seals via means of a webbing strap and brass buckle. The outside of the flap is stamped "FIRST AID OUTFIT /AIRCRAFT" whilst inside is marked with a crisp Kings Crown with AM below followed by the makers details "H.B.Curtis & Son Ltd 1941". These packs were carried in 'heavies' of Bomber Command and Coastal Command and the number of kits supplied depending on the number of aircrew aboard. An identical but issued example is featured on page 109 of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Luftwaffe V RAF flying Equipment' reference book.

Whilst this example is empty the original contents, as confirmed by the Imperial War Museum, was made up of : 4 morphine dosage labels, 1 shell dressing,4 ampoules of morphine in tins, 2 triangular bandages, 2 tourniquets & shell dressings, water sterilizing kit, boracic lint, 2 hand envelopes & burn dressing for fingers, r 3 tubes anti-burn/anti sunburn cream, safety pin, phial of aspirin & phial of chalk, opium tablets, phial of cathartic tablets, phial of quinine tablets and an & iodine ampoule box. So despite its small size 8" x 8"x 4" (20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) it would have provided essential aid to injured aircrew. The case also has provision for a shoulder strap but in this instance this has not been fitted. The interior has a number of dedicated pouches to store the various component parts, so they could be quickly brought to hand when needed. With packing it displays well as it is but could form the basis of a completed pack if time, budget and patience allow.