Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Parachutes / Mae Wests
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Rare RAF emergency signal mirror, pre-1941.
Excellent example of the rare, early style of emergency signalling mirror which was used towards the end of the Battle of Britain and into 1941 until replaced by the Heliograph with the dinghy and 1941 pattern life vest. It comprises a 4" (10cm) diameter circular mirror in a Bakelite frame with a leather strap for securing around the wrist or tying to the Mae West. Well marked with A-crown-M and ref. no. Perfect condition - and with an interesting twist: the strap is labeled very neatly in white paint RST 32306 (this looks like museum type labeling). RST might refer to RAF ace Robert Stanford Tuck — and Tuck's service number was 37306. Could a 7 have been misread as a 2? Of course there is no provenance to confirm that this was owned by Tuck - but it is very interesting to think it might have been! Sold as what it is with no added value for the name. Superb condition.
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$395 / £300 / €365
 RAF emergency signal mirror, pre-1941 |  RAF emergency signal mirror, pre-1941 |
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 RAF emergency signal mirror, pre-1941 |  RAF emergency signal mirror, pre-1941 |
 RAF mirror2 |
RAF1941 pattern Mae West complete with good stole/bladder — possibly FAA issue.
Popularly known as "1941 Pattern Mae West" but more correctly, "Life Saving Waistcoat, Stole-Inflated." Yellow cotton vest fastens with 3 buttons plus tie tapes at the chest, waist and thighs. A very good, clean example complete with its internal, inflatable stole, grab handles, dye pouch (with remnants of red thread), and pocket for skull cap. It also has both the early style wooden toggle and rope and the scarce "female" connector for the dinghy pack. The flap pocket for the floating rescue torch has been removed, suggesting Fleet Air Arm use — Navy aircrews frequently removed the pocket in favour of using the smaller Easco single-battery red light instead. There are a couple of tears where the pocket was removed but nothng major and could easily be fixed if desired. Pocket was obviously
removed at the time of issue because cotton shows even wear/discolouration. Stole is still flexible, broad arrow marked and has a test date of 9/45.
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$1,150 / £875 / €1,045
 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
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 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
 RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |  RAF / FAA 1941 stole inflated life saving waistcoat (1941 pattern Mae West). |
RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR.
The smaller of 2 variations of the heliograph (2-inch – the larger was 4-inch), issued with the K dinghy for single seat fighter aircraft. Though many pilots carried one in gthe pocket on the front of the life vest, it was intended for the Dinghy pack. Comprises a cotton pouch containing a polihsed steel "mirror" and sighting tool, with instrctions printed on the back. Very good condition and includes cord for attaching to the K dinghy pack or the eyelet above the Mae West pocket.
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$65 / £50 / €60
 RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |  RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |
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 RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |  RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |
RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with internal stole/bladder fitted.
Nice displayable example of the M IVA life vest manufactured by Frankensteins of Manchester, dating from the early-mid 1960s.. The Frankenstein series of life vests replaced the old wartime 1941 Pattern and then underwent a series of modifications/additions in accessories, each with a new designation. Comprising a heavy deep yellow cotton outer vest with numerous pockets for survival and rescue equipment. Vest is clean and complete with its original stole/bladder inside and oral inflation tube/mouthpiece. Stole is rubberized cotton and is a little bit crispy from the rubber coating drying out with age, but it is still flexible and displays well. No inflation bottle or other accessories. Similar Frankenstein Mk IV life vests were used in the making of the film, "Battle of Britain."
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$175 / £135 / €160
 RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |  RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |
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 RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |  RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |
 RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |  RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |
 RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |  RAF Mk IVA life vest by Frankenstein with stole/bladder |
RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date.
Very nice early example of the GQ Dual Purpose flying suit, developed by the Irving Air Chute company as the "Harnessuit". It housed both a parachute harness and flotation device, and was adaptable as a seat-type or observer (chest type) parachute, either of which could be clipped to the built-in hardware on the suit. As with most of these suits, the hardware has long since been removed and there is no internal harness fitted. However it does retain the housing for the inflatable stole (bladder) often missing, secured by brass buttons. There are two very small holes in the side where the metal slide fitting for the seat parachute cable was seated, and one very small area where the stitching on the seam at the side has separated - no damage to the fabric - and this would be a simple repair. Of interest is the early contact/manufacture date of 1939 and the early acceptance stamp of June 1940 (most I have seen are dated September or October). Also of note is the fact that it utilizes parts from the earlier combination flying suit in blue grey fabric suggesting that wartime austerity practices were already in place this early. Overall a very good and quite unusual example of this very popular flying suit which would lend itself well to a full restoration.​
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$675 / £525 / €615
 RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |  RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |
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 RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |  RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |
 RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |  RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |
 RAF Dual Purpose flying suit (Harnessuit) by GQ - early manufacture and issue date. |
AAF Aviator's Kit Bag / parachute bag AN6505-1.
Large, OD green canvas kit bag, which was primarily used for storing parachute equipment but could have a thousand uses. This is in great condition, no undue wear or damage and good, strong working zips. Very handy to have!
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$95 / £75 / €90
 AAF Aviator's Kit Bag / parachute bag |  AAF Aviator's Kit Bag / parachute bag |
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 AAF Aviator's Kit Bag / parachute bag |  AAF Aviator's Kit Bag / parachute bag |
AAF Pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft.
Heavy canvas pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft for attaching to the seat-type parachute harness. This is one of the later types with the hooks reversed so that the wearer sat on the opening. manufacture date of March 1945. Made by Rubber Raft Corp. of America. Very good condition, with some staining and soiling from storage.
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$175 / £135 / €165
 AAF Type C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF Type C-2 Pararaft pack |
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 AAF Type C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF Type C-2 Pararaft pack |
RAF Type A Mk III pack for the one-man Type K Dinghy (top cover only).
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Top cover of the K Dinghy pack, Type A Mk III issued to fighter pilots and single seat aircraft, with pockets for accessories and survival items and the scarce conhnector for the Mae West still attached. This is in excellent condition, showing very little use or wear and still has a clear crisp instructions in 4 languages. It is marked on top with a yellow stripe and "VET DINGHY DRILL." These packs are rarely found in such great condition and this makes a very good display - just needs the bottom cover.
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$125 / £99 / €115
 RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |  RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |
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 RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |  RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |
 RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |  RAF Dinghy Pack Type A Mk III for K dinghy - top cover only |