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Introduced around 1935, MK III goggles used curved celluloid lenses fitted into narrow blackened metal frames with velveteen cushions and large leather surrounds intented to protect the wearer from the elements (most of the RAF fighter aircraft in service in the mid-1930's were still open cockpit). Hinged in the centre, the frames were fitted with small air intake on each side at the top to prevent condensation from forming inside the lenses. Two small buffers were soldered to the frames at the hinge to prevent the wearer from folding the frames the wrong way. The goggle strap comprised cloth wrapped steel springs joined at the back by a length of leather with an adjustable friction buckle.
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Used throughout the war, leather gauntlets were the most expensive and coveted of flying equipment. Constructed of soft brown leather, the inner hand area was lined with thin fleece while the length beyond the wrist was soft sheep's leather. A zip fastener was included in some patterns to allow for ease of putting on and taking off. So highly prized were these gloves that thefts from factories resulted in the issuing of contracts to different factories which would produce only either the Left or Right glove, sometimes resulting in miss-matched sizes.
These examples each have a tag sewn into the gauntlet indicating Left or Right hand and the size: 8½.
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Silk gloves worn first under chamois gloves and then leather flying gauntlets. The cuffs were tucked under the cuffs of the flying jacket. Early examples were made of silk, but as silk became more difficult to acquire later synthetic silk or Rayon was used in their manufacture.
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Chamois gloves worn over silk inner gloves before leather gauntlets. Flying gloves were among some of the most expensive items in aircrew equipment. Pilots during the Battle of Britain were reported to not wearing their gloves in order to better feel the controls which could result in severe burns in the event of a fire.
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The 1932 pattern life preserver is synonymous with the Battle of Britain and is the original garment which earned the nickname "Mae West" by which life preservers have been known ever since. It required oral inflation for buoyancy and aircrews were encouraged to wear the vest partially inflated and stuffed with kapok pads in the event of a water landing.
This 1932 Pattern life preserver was made in Canada by the Dominion Rubber Company for use by both the RAF and RCAF and labeled with nomenclature for both air forces. The pattern was identical to the British made types and many were made of drab, green rubberized fabric like the British made version, this example was constructed from bright yellow material.
The life preserver can be seen here worn over a Service dress uniform jacket, often the preferred choice for Battle of Britain fighter pilots rather than bulky flying suits.
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An ashtray with engravings: "Made from a Rolls Royce Merlin - Piston As Used in The Battle Of Britain August - October 1940"
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few," Winston Churchill
Reverse:
MADE IN ENGLAND
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Royal Air Force service dress jacket wit in Air Force blue with brass buttons, pilots wings on left hand side chest and Flying Officer stripes on sleeve.
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Black leather service dress style shoes with "BILTRITE'' logo stamped on the bottom of each heal. Ten black painted metal eyelets with black nylon laces on the shoes uppers. The shoes are line with tanned leather and have black rubber heals and a thin rubber soul, size 7.
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Leather Flying Helmet Type C, second pattern, with goggles, receivers, microphone and oxygen mask. Internally, the helmet is unwired, lined with chamois with a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow, and chamois ear cushions are present to reduce external noise. The name, "FE WILLIAMS" hand printed in blue ink near the inner top, The outer brown leather helmet has black rubber ear phone cups which have been fitted with Air Ministry 10A/7063 receivers. The outer receiver has been stamped in white paint with a circle and the initials within it read, "X.A.M 50". Both receivers are connected externally to the microphone by three individual braided cloth insulated communication cords which join to form one cord which is attached to a brown bakelite bayonet 10A/10991 plug, which is connected to brown bakelite 10H /2206 extension receptacle. Emerging from the back of this receptacle are four brown cloth covered braided 6 inch cords with four plastic colour coded metal "C" connectors. A brown leather chin strap is attached to the base of the helmet. Five leather strap like harnesses hold the MK III goggle grey elastic head strap in place. The painted grey metal goggle with brown leather wool filled face padding, have the AM mark on the bridge just above the brown leather nose protector. The split lenses are made of laminated safety glass. A strong elasticized grey head strap is easily adjustable by a brown leather pull strap. The Type D oxygen mask is made from green cloth with a chamois covered Type 26 electromagnetic microphone attached.
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Flying Goggle, Air Ministry MARK IIIA Circa. 1939 Leather back strap is stamped with, 22c/62, B 6929/39 Perspex lenses, with air vents, and black painted brass frames stitched onto brown velveteen backing. Centre hinge, leather nose cover, elastic and leather sprung back strap. Nearly identical to the Mk III goggles, except that the Mk IIIa was intended for use in a more temperate climate and in aircraft with enclosed cockpits. The leather surround to the goggles was removed and the air vents are larger and trumpet shaped. The appearance of the MkIII and MkIIIa owe much to Art Deco fashion rather than to practical use in aircraft. The curved celluloid lenses instead of flat safety glass not only distorted the pilot's vision but also made them highly vulnerable to scratching. Some Battle of Britain pilots were said to not wear their goggles resulting in serious injuries and casualties.
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A blue wool RCAF forage/wedge cap with brass eagle and crown on side manufactured by J.S. Wilson Ltd. London; expressly for Clappens, Military Tailors Devizes
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RCAF Type B brown leather Helmet AM22c/65, with Gosport Tubes attached. A very well presented example as issued to RCAF air crew in the early part of WWII. The one zippered earpiece has the AM 22c/66 stamp and both have the orginal leather pulls on the zippers, and are fitted with a set of sponge rubber ear cushions and Gosport tubes. The interior chamois lining has a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow and on the buckle side of the chin strap. Fully labelled reads, "SIZE 2 6 7/8 TO 7. AM22C/65 MADE BY FRANK BRYAN LIMITED LONDON & WORCESTER 1938". Another label is sewn on directly below this one and is handprinted with, "744938 J. DUFFIN". The name "DUFFIN", also appears under the right inner ear cushion. The brown leather chin strap is equipped with a Bennett fastener.
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RAF 1936 pattern flying boots 22C/80 with all leather sole and rubber heel. Worn by Battle of Britain fighter pilots and were the footwear of choice for many flyers throughout World War II. Made from sturdy chromed black leather lined with thick pile fleece, these boots include pullers sewn inside allowing for pull-on style. A tightening strap and buckle across a shallow V-shaped opening at the very top front.
