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 | USAAF AN-H-15 Summer Flying Helmet - A good issued example of the Army Air Force classic summer flying helmet of WWII and the helmet of choice for fighter pilots serving in the Pacific campaign. This pattern was designed as a replacement for the A-9 helmet and was standardised in April 1943. This example is unwired but the receiver housings are still very supple and it would be a simple job to upgrade with an appropriate wiring loom and a set of ANB-H-1 earphone receivers. The khaki 'Byrd' cloth shell is in good condition but some service marks commensurate with an issued helmet. The front brow is marked with the initials D.H. and repeated on the back leather strap is 'D.B.H.' so we assume the original owners initials. The helmet carries an AAF ink stamp to the shell, with a similar stamp inside. Four oxygen mask snaps are fitted so is a late war variant. This is confirmed on the woven label inside that indicates a 1944 contract date and the helmet was manufactured by Bradley Goodrich Inc; it is also marked 'Large'. The chin strap is fitted with a velvet anti- rub cover and is stamped H 4263.
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| RAF Trench Art Dinner Gong and Period Photograph - On offer is a finely worked brass decorative plaque fitted with a rope hanging line. Whilst it has no striker we have assumed it may have been intended as a dinner gong when made although it makes an equally interesting wall plaque. Whilst its specific history has been lost down the years it came in a lot with a framed RAF squadron photograph showing all the chaps posed beside and on a Vickers Wellington Bomber. They are all dressed in khaki drill so seeing the engraving on the gong it is safe to assume this item originated in Egypt and was made using scrap recovered from the battlefield and sold as a souvenir to RAF personnel serving in Egypt in WWII.
Sadly no squadron codes are visible on the 'Wimpy' (so named after the portly character in the Popeye cartoons) so we have no idea when and where the photograph was taken but it safe to assume the original owner of this piece is featured in it. The photograph and frame show some age wear whist the gong is as good as the day it was made. It features standard Egyptian tourist images of the pyramids, sphinx, camels and palm trees whilst to the centre is a very fine RAF crest surmounted by a Kings Crown with the RAF motto 'Per Adua Ad Astra'. We have no doubt local craftsman in the souk would turn out similar objects featuring Luftwaffe badges equally proficiently depending on the current occupying forces and the state of the war in North Africa at the time! The gong/ plaque measures 9.5" diameter (24 cm) and the squadron photograph is 15.5" long (38 cm.)
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| 'Ediswan' RAF Light Bulbs with original packaging - on offer are a pair of vintage Air Ministry marked 'Royal Ediswan' 24 Volt 80 watt GLS gas filled pearl bulbs with BC connectors. Each comes in its original card and paper packaging clearly stamped 'By Appointment to H.M.King George VI.' Interestingly the paper wrapping is stamped in red 'Important. In view of the paper shortage this wrapper should not be thrown away or destroyed but should be handed to the Local Authority or organization responsible for salvaging paper in your district.' Each bulb is clearly stamped with AM (Air Ministry) and the stores reference nos. 5L/50. The Edison and Swan Electric Light Company Limited was an English manufacturer of incandescent lamp bulbs and other electrical goods. It was formed in 1883 with the name Edison & Swan United Electric Light Company with the merger of the Swan United Electric Company and the Edison Electric Light Company. We are not sure of the exact RAF application for these bulbs but it seem likely they originate from circa WWII/ 1940's. We can not guarantee they still function as intended but like all our stock are for sale as a collectable only. Each bulb measures 2" (6 cm)
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| RAF Escape Compass - small but essential aid to shot down aircrew in WWII. The Air Ministry, in conjunction with MI9, went to great lengths to ensure all aircrew serving operationally carried a hidden compass to assist with finding their way out of enemy territory when used in conjunction with silk escape maps also carried hidden within their flight clothing or uniform. In the same way escape compasses were smuggled into POW camps to aid escape attempts and were hidden in Monopoly boards, bars of soap, packets of cigarettes and even pipes!
This is an example is of the second pattern with a star shaped compass card with two luminous dabs and a red tip to indicate magnetic north and a further dab of paint to show south. The case is made from brass and this example features nearly all its original paint and despite its 70 odd years of age appears to do its job today just as intended back in WWII. Please note image size is larger than the actual compass which measures a modest 6/10" (1.5 cm) diameter.
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| WAAF Officers Tunic and Skirt - Original WAAF uniforms are now getting very scarce although this is not exactly what it seems but with the re-enactment season already upon us this could be a means to an end! It came in from an owner who used it once to attend a 1940's themed dance so is now looking for a new home! The tunic jacket is an original item and carries rank lace to the sleeves and is labelled 'Suits No1 (Home) Dress Officers RAF and is broad arrow marked and is dated 1952. We believe this tunic to be a 're-clocked' and it probably started life as a Gent's example. The tunic is in generally very good condition with a couple of minor moth nips but these do not detract. The lapels carry brass VRT badges that look to be original and stand fro Volunteer Reserve Training that was established in 1947 for use in RAF sections of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).The jacket carries brass Kings Crown buttons and a brass belt buckle to WWII specification. The medal ribbons are for the Defence Medal, the 1939-45 War Medal and interestingly the Burma Star. The tunic measures 30.5" from collar to bottom hem (77 cm) and the arms are 24.5" shoulder to cuff (62 cm.) The Officers skirt does not carry a label but is fully lined and looks as though it is tailor made and probably of a later date but a good match for the tunic. We estimate the waist to be around 30" (76 cm) and is 26" from waist to hem (66 cm) We would estimate the set should be a good fit for a ladies size 12.
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| Flight Equipment of the RAF 1920-1945 This booklet is described as 'A Quick Reference Guide for Collectors' and was put together by Kevin King & Dave Humphrey and Edited by A.J.Marriott-Smith. It is fully illustrated with 66 black and white photographs and it also has an invaluable section covering RAF Stores Clothing issue numbers from 22C/1 (Belts, Life Saving, Self Inflating, Type A) through to 22C/1070 (Backpack for Overall, Flying, Lightweight) which of course is more commonly known as the Beadon Suit. Whilst in no way is this meant to be a comprehensive listing it is a most useful booklet for any serious collector of RAF flight clothing to have on his shelf. I was chatting to Kevin King a while back about his book and he told me it was now so scarce even he did not have a copy himself! Sadly these now change hands for significantly more than the 1990 published price as the issue has become a collectors item in its own right. Grab yourself a copy whilst you have the chance! This is a second hand example but is in excellent used condition.
Pages: 19
Cover: Soft
Author: Kevin King & Dave Humphrey
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| RAF Pilot's Mess Jacket Brevet - A padded bullion wire King's crown pilot mess dress wing with cotton backing in fantastic original condition. This would have been sewn to the Mess jacket lapel and worn when dining at special occasions in the Officers Mess. This brevet is much smaller than the standard set of pilots wings at 2.5" or 6.5 cm. Sadly no history with them but they are likely to date from WWII.
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| Luftwaffe Summer Fliegerkombi Flying Suit - The German one piece flying suit, officially known as a 'Fliegerschutzanzug für Sommer K/S0 34' first entered service in 1934 for aircrew use in temperate climates. These suits were cut large enough to fit over the standard uniform that was worn beneath. A regulation issued on July 4th 1940 and April 24th 1941 introduced a replacement two piece protective flight suits for fighter pilots designed to increase the wearers mobility and not be as restrictive in the close confines of a cockpit but the one piece suits continued to be worn right up until the end of the war although they tend to be more associated with bomber crews.
The summer flight suit underwent minor modifications in June 1940 with the earlier horizontal fly opening being replaced with a vertical zip together with various improvements added as a result of combat experience. Our suit is of the second pattern and carries both the vertical fly zip as well as an extra quick release emergency aperture facility to enable the suit to be removed quickly in an emergency. The label clearly dates the suit to 1940 so must have been produced in the second half of that year so is contemporary with the Battle of Britain. Whilst we tend to be cynical of supposed provenance, unless this can be proven, but we were told when purchased the suit belonged to an HE111 of KG 4 crew member who survived when his aircraft crashed near Immingham on March 22nd 1941. In checking the suit in detail we found faintly inked into the inside lining 'Heisig' who we have traced through research as a crew members of the crash of a 5/KG4 Heinkel He 111P-4 (2938), operating from a base at Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Feldwebel (Flight Sergeant) H. Heisig survived the crash, was captured and he survived the war as a POW, returning to Germany in 1946.
Our suit is constructed in classic 'pepper and salt' fabric and whilst it would still display well in a collection or better still dressed on a mannequin it has clearly seen significant wear and subsequent repairs, which would seem to endorse the provenance detailed above. The fabric has a number of nicely executed repair patches that might be period but could also have been done post war to restore the suit to display condition. The main diagonal chest zip is an original Rheinnadel whilst the shoulder zip is an Elite model. Both the leg and waist pocket zips are Zipp brand and stamped "D.R.G.M."to the reverse indicating, Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchsmuster, indication 'German National Registered Design'. The sleeve zips are however replacements and the crutch and leg zips have been sewn closed for display purposes. The snaps are all original marked Prym. The suit carries the leather oxygen mask attachment point and the leather collar strap is in place.
The interior features a crisp a machine stitched white fabric tailors label with black woven manufacturers name Bekleidungsfabrik Habelt, Crailsheim, Wrttbg and Baujahr 1940 and Grosse: 11b, indicating the suit size. The ring pull for the emergency release mechanism is missing but the flap is laced shut. The internal cloth cuffs again show sign of wear and service use. If you have possible interest in adding this piece to your collection please ask for a range of detailed pictured we have available which will show more specifically the condition and issues mentioned. A most interesting Battle of Britain period suit that clearly has a story to tell; if however you like your kit mint and boxed this one is not for you!
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| RNZAF Trench Art Sweetheart Brooches - Very nice matched pair both made from Cowrie shells which despite their undoubted age still pick up the silver and turquoise hues. One is in the form of a Pilots Brevet and engraved RNZ AF and the other is a of the New Zealand silver fern. The pin back plate on the Pilot's wings is stamped 'silver'. On the fern leaf the back plate is marked 'STG'. Almost certainly dating to WWII and probably given by a RNZAF pilot to his wife or girlfriend. Please check out the other RNZAF grouping we have also just listed.
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| RNZAF Associated Badge Grouping - On offer is a set of four WWII badges that were formerly the property of a gentleman who served with the RNZAF.His name was Langdon but sadly we don't have any further information on him. The group comprises an RAF tie pin in silver gilt with Kings crown and eagle below. This has a pin back but no makers marks. Secondly a fern leaf badge, the emblem of New Zealand, with NZ embossed to the front again in silver gilt. This is also pin back and carries a makers mark to the back J.R.Gaunt London. The same design badge was worn by the NZ Staff Officers as a collar badge. Thirdly we have a brass and enamel winged badge featuring AAC logo to centre and Pupil below. It has a makers mark to the back reading Young & Co. Finally we have a lapel winged badge in brass and enamel with ATC superimposed in the central section over a blue enamel embossed background. We assume the final two badges were obtained during training in the US. So really a mixed bag but no doubt each has a relevance and a story to tell. We assume all dating to WWII. Seeing they have always been together we prefer to keep them that way so for sale as a single grouping.
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| Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beetham Presentation Trophy - Few in the RAF have had a more illustrious career! Born in 1923 he enlisted in the RAFVR in 1942 as a Senior Aircraftsman and rose through the ranks to end up as Marshal of the Royal Air Force. In War II he was a Lancaster pilot carrying out a full tour with 50 squadron. As Chief of the Air Staff during the Falklands War he was involved in the decision to send the Task Force to the South Atlantic and and Operation Black Buck, which was to become the longest bombing raids in history, was his idea. This trophy was presented to Beetham when he was on a goodwill visit to India in 1960. He is recorded as meeting with the AOC I.A.F Air Marshall B.W.Chauhan on 26 January 1960 in Bangalore when clearly this gift was presented to him. The crest is marked Training Command Indian Air Force and the presentation plaque is fully engraved and named to Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael James Beetham, GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, ADC when he was Chief of the Air Staff. The plaque and crest are mounted on a polished hardwood base and forms a unique item once owned by the top man in the RAF! Measures 6.5" long at base and stands the same high. (16 cm at base and the same height.)
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| Luftwaffe Flying Boots - A very original set of the classic single zip pattern dating from around the middle of WWII. This model replaced the earlier Pst 4004 pattern that featured a double zip on each leg and so made better use of both materials and manpower. This pair is clearly earlier production than the late war 'economy' version boots we have also just listed.
These feature original 'Zipp' brand zips with a single lightning bolt which is characteristic of earlier production. The riveted leather pulls are still in place and the zips are both in good working order. The grain leather uppers are really very good shape;the nubuck sections at the top of legs show some wear and the left boot interestingly has a repair strip across it. We have no idea when this was done and could well be period. On the same boot the inner top nubuck section shows minor cracking to the surface finish. On display or displayed on mannequin we would not see any problems.
The Original soles with anti slip bump pattern are fitted and clearly branded with a hand motif and 'WO'. Unlike many examples we see these soles are not cracked and only show light service wear. Inside is in great shape and none of the mothing often found with very clean fur and apparently little wear. The labels are both very nice, clean and not washed out. These confirm these boots have not been mismatched as they both carry identical information. The size appears to be 28 1/2 and we believe the manufacturing date to be July 1944. The leg and instep straps are again all original with matched buckles.
Not much more we can say other than whilst not mint these boots are well above the average for an genuine issued set and would sit happily in a collection or dressed on an appropriate mannequin. I have owned these myself since 2006 but it is now time to rehome them. Good original wartime Luftwaffe issue boots are getting increasingly hard to track down now so grab these whilst you can!
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| Luftwaffe AK 39 Armbandkompass - An essential aid for downed Luftwaffe flight crew. The first model of the AK 39 was believed to have been introduced in 1939. This second pattern carries number Fl 23235-1 on the reverse side as well as the designation AK 39. Unusually it also has what looks like a production code number stamped reading 30232305. The compass bezel swings freely and aligns correctly to north although we can not guarantee its accuracy after 70 years! The transparent rotating bezel has black sighting marks (as opposed to the later red examples introduced in 1943). The underside has white /translucent sliding windows with red course makers which would have enabled the owner to set a marching route having first taken a bearing. The leather wrist strap is original to the instrument and the buckle is sound. When worn over a flying suit it would have had a strap extension fitted although many were simply looped on to the owners Schwimmveste; this example just carries the standard strap. Generally in excellent display condition although like most we have seen the air bubble in the damping alcohol is rather larger than when in service.
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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 and has never been issued. When purchased it came complete in its original packaging 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 female 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 being over 31 years old this example is effectively as good as they come and other than minor storage marks to the inner chamois lining, is close to mint condition. 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 examples whilst our very limited stocks remain.
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| RAF Mk IIIA Flying Goggles - First issued in 1936, the pattern reflected the same design characteristics of the Mk III but with smaller face pads, as the earlier goggles were designed for open cockpit use. The Mk IIIA also featured curved Perspex lenses, like its predecessor, which caused distortion and also scratched easily so in the Battle of Britain many pilots chose not to wear them which resulted in many casualties during the conflict through burns and serious eye injuries. The design was also developed independently of the RAF B helmet and the strap arrangement did not work well with the large domed receiver cups. The result of all this was this model was quickly superseded and good examples are now very scarce.
This pair is way above the average and features none of the normal issues seen on this pattern. The brass frames are in great shape and retain almost all their black paint with both the hinge stops and ventilation trumpets in place. All four screws are present and the original leather nose cover is perfect. The Perspex lenses again excellent and just minor scratching. On the reverse side they are equally good with the velvet face pads showing signs of light service use but the inner padding is hardened, as normal. The back strap is near perfect; most Mk IIIA's we see have stretched or damaged springs/canvas covers whilst these are virtually as good as when they came out of the factory. The leather back strap perfect and the curled end is still in place ; these are often cut off for some reason. The friction adjustment buckle is in great condition and carries no rust. The stamping on the back strap is very feint and almost impossible to read. However under a magnifying glass we have been able to decipher the date of manufacture which is the magic 1940 and is followed by a broad arrow and an I below. Above it is the makers name and again whilst very feint we believe this could indicate these were made by Stephens & Co Ltd. Our research on line confirms William Stephens & Co made goggles for the RFC so looks like they continued as contractors to the Air Ministry although this set do not carry any AM stores reference information.
So to conclude this fine set meets or exceeds the time honoured collectors maxim: 'Always buy the best you can afford'.
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| WWII Military Desk Bell - A typical highly specified solid cast polished brass example with the button on the top engraved with a military broad arrow property mark, KF 0512 and clearly dated 1945 followed by AS. The bell operates exactly as intended and here in the Oldnautibits HQ every time it is sounded we can not help but to shout 'NEXT! Probably never used today in the 21 century but in the first half of the 20th century and through WWII every officious NCO would have had one on his office desk to call the next RAF or Army 'Erk' in line for his medical check up. We have no idea where this one served but clearly would have a story to tell despite the passing years. Fully functional today but I will refrain from listing possible uses here to avoid being labelled sexist! Measures 3 1/2" diameter and stands 3" high (8.5 cm x 7 cm). We have just one now remaining in stock and when that is gone they are gone. A perfect stocking filler which you won't find on Amazon. com!
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| Japanese Army Air Force Flying Goggles - very fine set of original WWII Japanese 'cats eye' flying goggles, first issued in the 1930's. They were fitted with large curved lenses, that gave them their distinctive look. The frames were made from lacquered metal, with a velveteen cushion and a soft silk nose cover. Goggles finished with black or reddish brown painted frames and green velveteen face pads are regarded as exclusively Army Air Force issue. Those with reddish brown or light bronze frames and brown face pads were used by both Army and Navy aircrew. Whilst the war progressed the quality of manufacture diminished due to shortages of materials.
These appear to be an early WWII set and are made to a very high specification. The black paint on the frames is near perfect and the glass lenses are virtually good enough to use as intended. The green velvet face cushions are in near mint condition. The light brown back strap has lost most of its elasticity but is otherwise perfect. It is attached to the goggle rings by leather fasteners. Late war production used plastic for this purpose so again confirming these are early goggles. The only ID mark we can find on these is beside the left attachment ring and appears to show a Chinese character looking something like an 'SS' in an elongated circle. If any visitors to the site can identify the manufacturer please get in touch and we will add to our description.
All in all a near perfect example of 'Cat's Eye' goggles that would be hard to upgrade. Those of you owning a copy of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Vintage Flying Helmets' will see a near identical set illustrated on page 312 top left. These would display well on the Japanese winter flying helmet we have also listed today.
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| RAF Reflector Gunsight Bulb - The Reflector Gunsight used a frosted, half-silvered bulb which lit up the aiming pattern at the bottom of the body of the sight. The bulbs were either 12 volt or 24 volt, depending on the aircraft and could have been used on late mark Spitfires, Typhoons or other fighter aircraft with a 24V system. The Reflector Gunsight Mk II was the mainstay of the RAF fighter from 1941 until the Mk IID Ferranti Gyro gunsights began to enter service in 1944;the advantage of this model was it would automatically compensate for the movement of the aiming aircraft. We have a small quantity of original 24 volt bulbs, all of which are silvered on the inside but some are blacked on the outer surface while others are silvered. Both specifications are shown in our image. The bayonet fitting is stamped Crompton, a broad arrow property mark, 'GUNSIGHT'and stores reference 5L/2041. The bulbs show some storage wear and we can't guarantee they are still working but they are complete and undamaged. Each gunsight used a single bulb and spares were then stored in a small rack in the cockpit of fighter aircraft although trying to change the bulb in flight at close to 400 MPH must have proved interesting! The price quoted is for a single bulb and lease specify with your order if you require the silvered or black painted option. Bulb measures 2.25" (5.5 cm)
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| RAF Trench Art Cigarette Box - a very nicely worked example in mahogany with an RAF Albatross badge applied to the lid This would appear to have been 'borrowed' from an Officers forage cap badge! When opened two fitted trays pop up with each holding 20 cigarettes. Elastic strips hold the cigarettes in place which are now slightly stretched. We don't have any provenance with it but suspect may have been created in the Middle East or North Africa in WWII. it measures 8.5" x 5" and stands 3" tall (22 cm x 13 cm x 8 cm).
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| Air Ministry Bristle Uniform Clothes Brush - A fine original RAF issue item made from polished hardwood and genuine bristles. The side is stamped with the AM crown property mark and the manufacturers detail 'H.B. & Co Warranted Bristle '. This modest item also carries the perfect 1940 date so could well have served during the Battle of Britain. Sadly we have no provenance to go with it but it is nice to speculate its use perhaps on a Fighter or Bomber Command command Officers No 1 uniform before a night in in the Mess. Minor service wear commensurate to use but generally in exceptional condition seeing it is now 75 years old! Measures 5.5" (14 cm)
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