my latest acquisitions

[B-Man2]

added a nice pairing to my 1941 RAF mug... a 1941 RAF hand Towel that appears to be unissued....
Its stamped

R.A.F.
1941
J. WILKINSON LTD
England
​

interestingly enough my mug is labeled A.J. Wilkinson Ltd. so perhaps its the same manufacturer?
It measures 18.5 inches by 27 inches.

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Ed
I really like that mug. I have a couple of repros but would like to find an original in mint condition. If you Don’t mind me asking how did you find yours?

 

[Edward]

eBay. I just kept searching RAF Mug. they come up quite often actually and usually out of England but my first came from here in the states. typically these sell for around $80 on average. I was lucky to have paid only $50 for one of them and a mere $8 plus shipping for another! sometimes they are listed as buy it now which is ideal because they always get bid on.

 

[B-Man2]

eBay. I just kept searching RAF Mug. they come up quite often actually and usually out of England but my first came from here in the states. typically these sell for around $80 on average. I was lucky to have paid only $50 for one of them and a mere $8 plus shipping for another! sometimes they are listed as buy it now which is ideal because they always get bid on.

Thanks I hope I didn’t just alert the world on this one

 

[Edward]

Thanks I hope I didn’t just alert the world on this one

sometimes a couple of months will go by with none listed then all the sudden there will be 3 or 4 listed at the same time. A mint one went for just over $100 a few weeks ago.

 

[B-Man2]

Not cheap but after all it is a uniquely cool item. Thanks again.

 

[ausreenactor]

For tea and not coffee I presume?

 

[Edward]

Not cheap but after all it is a uniquely cool item. Thanks again.

especially when you see pics of them being used by USAAF

 

[Edward]

For tea and not coffee I presume?

either one.... depends on if you are USAAF or RAF a little hooch mixed in was ideal as well especially after a mission to calm the nerves.

 

[Remote People]

After a long search, found a Signal Corps BC-348-R receiver in near NOS working condition as used by the USAAF. These were very common throughout the war in multi-engine aircraft—especially bombers like the B-17, B-24 and B-29. Comes from a lovely fellow here in England who has restored a set on display in Bletchley Park.

Even uses the original DC on board 24 volt aircraft dynamotor. Until the original period external speaker arrives, the headset is getting a workout/ The sound is very warm and dynamic. As you tune it through the shortwave (SSB) you can hear the morse key from far off stations not unlike what air crews might have heard.

 

[B-Man2]

After a long search, found a Signal Corps BC-348-R receiver in near NOS working condition as used by the USAAF. These were very common throughout the war in multi-engine aircraft—especially bombers like the B-17, B-24 and B-29. Comes from a lovely fellow here in England who has restored a set on display in Bletchley Park.

Even uses the original DC on board 24 volt aircraft dynamotor. Until the original period external speaker arrives, the headset is getting a workout/ The sound is very warm and dynamic. As you tune it through the shortwave (SSB) you can hear the morse key from far off stations not unlike what air crews might have heard.

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That looks to be in fantastic condition.
Well done . Nice find.

 

[ausreenactor]

After a long search, found a Signal Corps BC-348-R receiver in near NOS working condition as used by the USAAF. These were very common throughout the war in multi-engine aircraft—especially bombers like the B-17, B-24 and B-29. Comes from a lovely fellow here in England who has restored a set on display in Bletchley Park.

Even uses the original DC on board 24 volt aircraft dynamotor. Until the original period external speaker arrives, the headset is getting a workout/ The sound is very warm and dynamic. As you tune it through the shortwave (SSB) you can hear the morse key from far off stations not unlike what air crews might have heard.

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What a find! Where does the morse key plug in?

 

[Remote People]

Thank you both! It's a real experience using it. There are many videos of them in action online.

The J-37 morse key plugs into the transmitter BC-349 or BC-375 and sits on the table in front of the radio operator near the receiver above.

 

[ausreenactor]

Two radios.. Simplex Net... Old's cool.

 

[Edward]

Wow!!! And working! That is absolutely amazing!!!!

After a long search, found a Signal Corps BC-348-R receiver in near NOS working condition as used by the USAAF. These were very common throughout the war in multi-engine aircraft—especially bombers like the B-17, B-24 and B-29. Comes from a lovely fellow here in England who has restored a set on display in Bletchley Park.

Even uses the original DC on board 24 volt aircraft dynamotor. Until the original period external speaker arrives, the headset is getting a workout/ The sound is very warm and dynamic. As you tune it through the shortwave (SSB) you can hear the morse key from far off stations not unlike what air crews might have heard.

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[Edward]

so far everything is either latch or hook style or a single piece and not the two part slider with teeth.

this one on the M3 helmet is only about an inch wide
View attachment 35758

For anyone still following or in need of this friction buckle for their M3 Flak helmet strap a very very close match has been found! The back end is a bit elongated but it’s the proper width. Same shape as far as I can tell although bent like the m1938 legging strap

Buckles International, Inc. - 635

1 inch wide is the correct one

 

[Brent]

Edward, you always find the coolest things. Always a pleasure to look and read at what you've acquired.

Regards,

 

[ausreenactor]

For anyone still following or in need of this friction buckle for their M3 Flak helmet strap a very very close match has been found! The back end is a bit elongated but it’s the proper width. Same shape as far as I can tell although bent like the m1938 legging strap

Buckles International, Inc. - 635

1 inch wide is the correct one
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Well done... A buckle like this was pictured on FB through the week I think?

 

[Clark J]

Hey Ed how many hours a week do search for this stuff ?

 

[Clark J]

Hey Ed I think you found the buckle you were looking for but did you contact J Murray 1944 the M1 helmet guy ??

 

[Edward]

Hey Ed I think you found the buckle you were looking for but did you contact J Murray 1944 the M1 helmet guy ??

I don’t need a buckle my M3 is completely original I was just helping others.