Founded 1895 at Leadenhall Street, London and was originally called Albert Levy & Thomas. The name of the company was changed in 1901 to the Ardath Tobacco Company and was split in 1925 when it was sold. British American Tobacco acquired the overseas rights of Ardath, while the Imperial Tobacco Group retained the rights of sale within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Ardath's brands endured, perhaps the most famous being 'State Express 555' and the company was granted a Royal Warrant by King George VI in 1946.

Ardarth did not issue cards until just before the First World War and the first sets were photogravure reproductions of famous paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Raphael, and Valasquez. On offer here is a complete set of 'Real Photographs of Modern Aircraft' that were issued just before WWII, in 1939. The set is complete, containing 36 separate images of assorted civilian and military aircraft including the Spitfire, Hurricane, Wellington, Blenheim and my late father's aircraft the Handley Page Hampden and are all mounted by an unknown hand in a quality album. The individual black and white pictures are mounted using photograph hinges so can be removed without damaging, if so required. On the back of each card is detailed the basic facts appertaining to the aircraft depicted. We have removed card nos 33, A Ju 87 'Stuka', to illustrate this, as shown in the listing images.

The photograph album is a quality item and we believe of the period and is marked 'British Made' on the reptile embossed card cover. The first 5 double sided pages of the album are filled and the remainder are blank. Each of the 36 photo cards measures 3" x 2.5" (8 cm x 6.75 cm). The album measures 10.25" x 7.25" (26 cm x 18.5 cm).The album and cards remain in excellent original condition, despite originating 84 years ago.

Pages: 20
Cover: Hard
Author: The Ardath Tobacco Company

The iconic Taylor E Partial Pressure Helmet was developed by Baxter Woodhouse and Taylor ltd in the 1950's and saw limited service with the RAF in the 1960's against Stores reference 22C/2093-2105. These helmets were hugely expensive to manufacture and saw very limited use and as such examples hardly ever appear on the collectors market today. I have been lucky enough to own two of the type over the last 20 years but sadly both are now with new homes. The second one that came in was a boxed mint example that came complete with its ring bound Instruction Manual. These manuals, produced by Baxter Woodhouse, are now nearly as scarce as the helmets and are themselves becoming 'hens teeth' to purchase when they do occasionally turn up.

In order to satisfy the demand we have come up with a cost effective solution and have loaned our own copy to a specialist printer who has done a fantastic job in recreating a superb facsimile and frankly when placed alongside the original it is hard to identify which is which. They have used strong card covers and heavy duty paper that replicate the look of the original and having just taken delivery we are delighted with the result and we are sure our customers will be as well.

The booklet contains 39 pages and is profusely illustrated with black and white photographs covering all aspects of the helmets use in service. These include a full description, general functions, donning and removing the helmet and pre-flight checks and tests. This is then followed by post flight action, servicing and maintenance, functional tests and details on the use of the B. W. T. Nitrometer and the B. W. T. test rig. The manual also includes details of service modifications to the helmet carried out as a result of service use. Interestingly the copy was clearly typed inhouse by a staff member at Baxter Woodhouse in the days before word processing and numerous 'typo' are faithfully reproduced in our facsimile! We have not seen an original manual for sale in years but if they do turn up they are likely to be priced at north of £100. Our facsimile is rather better value and is an essential item if you are lucky enough to own a Taylor E helmet but also a fascinating manual that will be appreciated by helmet collectors who can only dream of such ownership. We have a very limited quantity available so grab a copy whilst you can as you are not going to be able to source one from Amazon. com!

Pages: 39
Cover: Soft
Author: Baxter Woodhouse and Taylor Limited

Another scarce pamphlet from the small collection we are listing today and issued by the Air Ministry against Memoranda nos 1713 and dated 1936. The Heinkel He 64 was a sports plane built in Germany in 1933 to participate in the touring plane championships that year, designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter. The He 64 was a sleek, low-wing monoplane of conventional configuration. The pilot and passenger sat in tandem under a streamlined canopy. Six examples were entered in the championships, which represented almost every example of the type built, the only exception being the first prototype, which had crashed. The He 64s excelled in speed trials, taking the first three places in the Europa Rundflug ("Rally over Europe"), and the first five places in top speed trials. They also had high positions in minimal speed trial.

Interestingly our research indicates one example of the He 64C was imported into the United Kingdom in 1933 for flap research, at first with Handley Page then with the Royal Aircraft Establishment until 1935. This aircraft later flew in Rhodesia until 1952. It would appear therefore that this report relates to work carried out here in the UK on this air frame.

The pamphlet made up of 15 pages with a card cover front and back was published on 5th November 1935 and includes line drawings of the aircraft, graphs and systems of axis diagrams inside the back cover. When published by the Air Ministry the cover price was 2/6d. The cover is also marked 'For Official use' and has been ink stamped 19 Feb 1965 like the He.70 pamphlet we have also listed today. Clearly quite a specialist subject but from a layman's point of view it is interesting the Air Ministry was taking note of Germany's pre-war aircraft development programme as far back as 1933. Another one off in exceptional condition and when it is gone it is gone!

Pages: 15
Cover: Soft
Author: J.E.Serby,B.A. & H.B.Squire,B.A.

Another scarce pamphlet that came in with the Polish Resettlement Corps example we have just listed. The only other mention of this booklet we can find is through the National Archive listing at Kew. The Heinkel He 70 Blitz was designed in the early 1930's to serve as a mail delivery aircraft for Deutsche Lufthansa. The first prototype flew in 1932, and proved to have excellent performance, setting eight world speed records reaching a maximum speed of 377 kmh or 222 mph.

During the Spanish Civil War Twenty-eight aircraft joined the Condor Legion. Their high speed gave them the nickname 'Rayo' or 'Lightning'. The Luftwaffe operated He 70s from 1935, initially as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft but as soon as purpose built designs became available, it was relegated as a liaison and courier aircraft. It did however provided the design influence for the HE111 which effectively replaced it.

Our booklet was published as a paper report on 13th February 1936 and is bound in a soft card cover, issued by the Air Ministry and stamped Aeronautical Research Committee no 1709 and dated 1936. It was issued by His Majesty's Stationary Office (at a price of 1 shilling! Interestingly the cover is also ink stamped 19 Feb 1965. The booklet is made up of 5 pages plus card cover front and back and includes line drawings of the aircraft, tables, graphs and systems of axes on the control surfaces.

Clearly quite a specialist subject but from a layman's point of view it is interesting the Air Ministry was taking note of Germany's pre war development programme back in 1936. As an aside it is reported when a He70 was flown to England in 1936 or '37 to be fitted with a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine in lieu of the BMW VI, it inspired the designer of the Spitfire, R.J. Mitchell, to change the wing shape of his new aircraft! Another one off and when it is gone it is gone!

Pages: 5
Cover: Soft
Author: R.Jones,D.S.c. & E.Smyth,B.Sc.

This one is hot off the press as a reprinted second edition! A comprehensive reference book covering a wide range of evasion and escape aids utilised by the allies in WWII. Bob Baldwin, a leading authority on escape and evasion tactics, was invited to guest curate back in 2013 an important exhibit of Second World War escape and evasion artefacts at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, the US affiliate of the Tower Armouries. The exhibition showcased hundreds of rare items which are seldom seen and which have never previously been displayed together in one place. To accompany the exhibition, a full colour catalogue 'Behind Enemy Lines' featuring photographs and descriptions of exhibited items was produced in conjunction with the museum. Though primarily intended as a photographic record of the exhibits, the catalogue stands alone as an excellent reference source for aviation collectors, historians and scholars and has been highly sought after since the exhibit closed in April 2013. It is profusely illustrated, mainly in full colour and covers a wide variety of escape aids used by both US and UK forces. One section I found particularly interesting, seeing my Father was a POW and a 'guest' of the Luftwaffe from 1941-1945, is entitled 'Escape Aids–A German Perspective' and is complete with a range of period photographs.

This is one I have already added to my own reference library and I commend it to all serious collectors-and our price is cheaper than both Amazon. com and Waterstones amd would make an exacllent stocking filler this Christmas!

Pages: 100
Cover: Soft
Author: R.E.Baldwin

A good used example relating to Sotheby's classic aviation sale held at Summers Place, Billingshurst on 26th & 29th November 1994. This covers a wide range of aviation collectables with some good photographic illustrations including a 1940 scramble bell, a sector clock, a fighter grip, log books, medals and even a full size replica V-1 flying bomb! The aircraft section with photographs in colour and black and white details some classic airframes including Harvard, Canberra, Hunter and an airworthy ex PRU Spitfire Mk X1X of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. The estimate was £350, 000- £450, 000. How values have changed over the last 21 years! A great reference catalogue to have on the bookshelf. The pages are all in clean condition and the catalogue has not been written in. Sales estimates are shown, but we do not have a record of prices realised.

Pages: 92
Cover: Hard
Author: Sotheby's

A superb reference book for all collectors of, or with interest in, Regia Aeronautica, Aviazione Legionaria and Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. The authors have assembled over 600 images from private photo albums and individual groupings offering a unique perspective on the Royal Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) from 1923-1945. There are period photos of the everyday life, and adventures of pilots and personnel on a variety of war fronts and campaigns. In addition, there are images of aircraft in detail as well as candid photos of aces such as, Italo Balbo and high profile figures such as German Knight's Cross recipient Italian General Giovanni Messe. Furthermore, the colour gallery contains previously unpublished images of period Italian Air Force headdress, uniform and accoutrements, all from private collections, so an ivaluable refrence aid to collectors.

The book and dust jacket, whilst technically second hand, is in what appears to be unread condition. Published in 2009 the current retail price from publishers Schiffer books is $70.00 or £56.00 and second hand copies on Amazon are £43.00 We are offering rather better value here! We have just this one copy available and when it is gone it is gone.

Pages: 352
Cover: Hard
Author: Dr Spencer Coil & Dr Renato Zavattini

On offer is an original copy of an Adler Luftwaffe songbook published in Berlin 1939, then priced at a modest 20 Pfg! The literal translation of the booklets title is 'Adler-Liederheft Field post edition of the Luftwaffe songbook' and the cover shows a trio of JU 87 Stuka dive bombers in flight, as well as a Luftwaffe eagle and swastika set against an inverted sword. Inside it carries 8 black and while photographs and drawings showing the Luftwaffe in action and alongside a range of no doubt patriotic songs and the accompanying music. The booklet has 31 pages in total and despite now being 82 years old (this is not a reprint) it remains in remarkably good overall condition, with just light wear to the covers. Booklet measures 6.25"x 4.50" (16 cm x 11 cm)

Pages: 31
Cover: Soft
Author: Adler-Liederheft

Designed by Roy Chadwick, the Lancaster four-engine bomber entered service in February 1942 and became the backbone of RAF's Bomber Command in WWII and flew 156,000 operations over occupied Europe, successfully delivering 608,612 tons of bombs. The 'Lanc' had a crew of seven and these booklets were issued to all pilot's and flight engineers and contained invaluable information about the aircraft's operation, controls, handling, and emergency procedures. Most editions that turn up today are modern reprints and whilst convincing they are replicas. On offer here is a scarce original edition, printed in April 1944 and marked on the front cover A. P. 2062A (3rd edition), 2062C (2nd edition), 2962F (1st edition) and named to Pilot Officer Roeder (?)and below is written 'No 15'. We surmise this refers to 15 Squadron RAF, which converted to the Avro Lancaster in December 1943, operating from Mildenhall.

This booklet contains 46 pages detailing a vast amount of information, including a general description of the aircrafts operating systems and controls in Part 1. Part II deals with handling, part III operating data for the Merlin engines, whilst Part IV explains what to do in emergencies. Part V then covers supplementary notes for the Flight Engineer and concludes with part VI which contains superb pull-out diagrams/photos illustrating the pilots instrument panel, the port side of the cockpit, the flight Engineers panel and diagrams of the fuel system. The booklet remains in remarkably good issued condition and with just minor service wear and age related staining to the front and back covers and rust to the staples. These original examples are becoming increasingly hard to find now and this one would sit happily in any RAF related collection. If any visitors to the site can help identify Pilot Officer Roeder please get in touch and we will add to our description.

Pages: 46
Cover: Soft
Author: Promulgated by order of the Air Council

The Beaufighter prototype first flew in July 1939, just six months after the layout drawings had been agreed and was met with an order for 300 aircraft, under Specification F.17/39. Entering service in July 1940 it operated as a night fighter in the Battle of Britain. Robust, versatile and heavily armed, the Bristol Beaufighter operated in many roles and theatres, remaining in RAF service until 1960 and when withdrawn from service 5,928 had been manufactured. The Mk VI featured Hercules X VII engines and over 1,000 examples of this model were built. The TFX variant was a torpedo fighter aircraft, dubbed the "Torbeau" whilst the Mk XIC was supplied to Coastal Command. These pilot's notes, like the Lancaster version also listed today, is a scarce original copy dated January 1944 and is a second edition A. P.1721. The cover is named in feint pencil to a F/Sgt K. R. ………., the final lettering of which we have been unable to decipher.

The booklet has 44 pages and contains a vast amount of information, with Part 1 including a general description of the aircrafts operating systems and controls. Part II deals with handling, Part III operating data for the Hercules engines, whilst Part IV details what to do in emergencies. Part V then concludes with superb pull-out diagrams/photos illustrating fuels systems, the pilots instrument panel, the port & starboard sides of the cockpit and Emergency Exits and related equipment carried. The booklet remains in remarkably good issued condition and with just minor service wear and age related staining to the front and back covers and rust to the staples. These original examples are becoming increasingly hard to find now and this one would sit happily in any RAF related collection. During its service the Far East that the 'Beau' acquired its nickname of "Whispering Death" because the quiet, fast, and low-flying abilities enabled the aircraft to be on top of the enemy before he had time to react. Grab yourself the chance to own this scarce booklet relating to an iconic aircraft of WWII ; we suspect it will be a long tome before we see another.

Pages: 44
Cover: Soft
Author: Promulgated by order of the Air Minsitry

This excellent series of paperback booklets were published by the Ministry of Information during WWII and are a superb reference source today. This example outlines Coastal Command operation from the start of the War up until 1942. It has 143 pages and is profusely illustrated with official period photographs of operations and shows Sunderland, Catalina, Anson, Beaufort and other types of aircraft on operations.

Chapter titles include 'Its the Bismarck', 'Ten million miles of sea', 'The Fight for Norway', 'The Attack on the U-Boats' and 'Rescue Flight and Secret missions'. Lots of crew pics taken both inside aircraft and on the ground and some excellent shots of the type of flying kit used in the period. Overall in good used condition with minor damage to the cover (which is named to Denmark) and age related wear to the spine. Measuring 7"x 9" (23 cm x 18 cm) and was printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office in 1943. This is an original wartime example and not a more recent reprint.

Pages: 144
Cover: Soft
Author: His Majestys Stationary Office

Fairey Aviation was a British aircraft manufacturer founded in 1915 by Sir Richard Fairey as the Fairey Aviation Company Ltd manufacturing seaplanes based in Hayes Middlesex and Heaton Chapel, Ringway in Greater Manchester. They made a number of famous aircraft in WWII including the Swordfish, Fulmar fighters and Barracuda dive-bombers. Fairey's also built 498 Bristol Beaufighter aircraft and over 660 Handley Page Halifax bombers in their northern facilities. Post war they produced the Firefly and Gannet for the Fleet Air Arm and assisted with sub-contracts from de Havilland for Vampire and Venom jet fighters. In the late 1950's Fairey developed the Fairey Rotodyne, a unique aircraft that was probably ahead of its time, an example of which I well remember building as an Airfix kit as a boy in the 1960's. The company subsequently diversified into mechanical engineering and boat-building and the aircraft manufacturing arm was taken over by Westland Aircraft in 1960 and following a series of mergers and takeovers, the principal successor businesses now trade as FBM Babcock Marine Ltd and Spectris PLC.

Here we have a set of original hard cover bound 'Woks Rules' that remain in very crisp overall condition. The booklet contains 10 pages of regulations and details exactly what employees can and can not do whilst on the works premises including smoking restrictions, payment arrangements and even the official secrets act! The front cover carries the Fairy logo and the binding remains strong. The rules are not dated but clearly must date from pre 1960. A fascinating insight into one of the great names in British aviation.

Pages: 10
Cover: Hard
Author: The Directors Fairey Aviation

Although we describe this book as second hand it is virtually mint. It was issued to commemorate the commissioning of HMS Cornwall in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales at Falmouth on 23rd April 1988. Cornwall was a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy. She was the first Batch 3 to be built, and the last to be decommissioned. Cornwall was known as "The Fighting 99" or "Ice cream frigate" and was based at Devonport, Plymouth, Devon. On 26 April 2011 she returned to Plymouth for the last time, and decommissioned on 30 June 2011 and was subsequently sold for scrap. Her bell was presented to Truro Cathedral. The books 54 pages are lavishly illustrated with colour and black and white photographs and includes a full list of the first ships company. The condition is impossible to fault with a silhouette image of the ship embossed on the leatherette cover as and it would be a fine addition to the library of any ex members of the ships company or their families.

Pages: 54
Cover: Hard
Author: CaptainC.L.Wexford-Brown D.S.O. & Others

An original booklet, marked 'Restricted' issued by the Air Ministry In October 1946 and published jointly in English and Polish. Following the German/Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 many citizens chose to evacuate their country and fled to Hungary, Romania, France, and finally, Britain. By the mid-1940s some 35,000 Polish airmen, soldiers, and navy personnel reached the UK, making up the largest non-British military force in the country. Of those, some 8,500 were PAF airmen, a resource the RAF were desperately short of in the summer of 1940. At first deemed "suspicious" by the British Royal Air Force, the Polish proved their allegiance by fighting with skill, bravery and determination during the 1940 Battle of Britain and continued to serve with distinction throughout the war.

In 1945 the Yalta agreement sealed the fate of the Poles with the imposition of a Communist Government and the onset of the 'Cold War'. Each of the three services in the UK was responsible for the de-mobilisation and transfer of armed combatants into the Resettlement Corps (PRC)by an Act of Parliament passed in February 1946 and enrolment into the Polish Air Force Resettlement Corps (PARC) started shortly afterwards. The Air Ministry published these conditions of service on 14th October 1946 and listed the choices available to members of PRC to either return to Poland, settle in Britain or emigrate to Commonwealth or other countries.

At the beginning of 1947 some 11,000 Poles 'joined' the PARC. Of these it is estimated that 3,000 Poles from the PAF chose to be repatriated (sadly to a very uncertain future)and another 2,400 emigrated to other countries. Some 9,000 PAF personnel stayed in Britain with at least 5,000 finding civilian jobs. It must be said in view of the dedicated service offered by so many Poles to the allied war effort many were shabbily treated by the British post war including a campaign by the TUC and others and this was not Britain's 'Finest Hour.' The PRC was finally disbanded after fulfilling its purpose in 1949.

This booklet, which is not a reprint, is addressed to all 'Polish Officers, Airmen and Airwomen of the Polish Air Force'. It clearly spells out this little known piece of post war history. In dual languages, as mentioned, the first half is made up of 11 pages and covers all aspects of the terms offered including repatriation options education and training, clothing, and rates of pay according to rank in a pull out section. The second half of the booklet is the same but duplicated in Polish. It remains in remarkably good condition despite its 72 years of age with just minor age related marks to the buff card cover. How many of these booklets have survived down the years is unknown but it represents a very important piece of Polish Resettlement Corps /Polski Korpus Przysposobienia I Rozmieszczenia history that will sit well in either a Museum display or a specialist RAF/Polish collection. This is a one off and is unlikely to be repeated. As with all our listings more detailed pictures are available on request to show examples of the text in English or Polish depending on your disposition!

Pages: 21
Cover: Soft
Author: The Air Ministry

One Flight Too Many I was delighted to received a copy of this excellent volume for Christmas and can recommend it as an excellent read. It covers the often forgotten art of Photographic Reconnaissance (PR) and is written by a former PR Spitfire pilot, Jimmy Taylor. It gives a very clear description of what he had to do, the aircraft and cameras he was given, how he planned and took his photographs, and how he navigated his way, alone and unarmed under constant observation by enemy radar, to his distant targets. This is also Jimmy Taylor's autobiography, so the reader has access to his frank contemporary diary of autumn 1944 and goes with him on his exciting sorties, including when he was chased by a then-unknown German jet, and his last one, when his engine blew up and forced him to parachute into a part of eastern Holland and led to his eventual capture with details of the heroic behaviour of the Dutch Resistance. Taylor's story is told with humour and modesty and makes for fascinating reading, and is enhanced with hundreds of photographs taken at the time, including some of his own sorties. This is a great book in every sense: it will enlighten readers who are curious about the work of the PR squadrons and will fascinate aviation enthusiasts of all ages myself included! We do not actually stock this volume but it can be purchased for £27.50 plus shipping from the distributor, YPD Books at www.ypdbooks.com or from your local bookseller. Pages: 756 Cover: Hard Author: Jimmy Taylor

Pages: 756
Cover: Hard
Author: Jimmy Taylor

This ring bound example is not in the same league as the fantastic 'After the Battle' replica log book, which if you are lucky enough to find one on the second hand collectors market, is as close as any of us will ever get to owning the real thing. Having just sold our only current example this is the only alternative that we can offer at this time. Published by Aries Archives and Memorabilia back in 1993 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Dams Raid which occurred on 16th May 1943. Now a further quarter century has gone by even these copies are themselves getting hard to find. Inside is a brief biography of Wing Commander Gibson who died in mysterious circumstances on September 19th 1944 and by then was one of the most experienced pilots in the RAF, despite being aged just 26.

This bound folder contains copies of all the entries from Gibson's No2 log book covering the period November 15th 1940 to September 16th 1944 just 3 days before his untimely death. It includes both training and operational flights, the lead up to the Dam's raid on May 16th 1943 and written below the entry 'Awarded V.C.23:05:43'. It also covers a flight to Cardiff when he piloted a Blenheim to attend his own wedding on 21 November 1940. They were married in Penarth's Anglican Church on 23rd November and the log book entry simply reads 'To Cardiff (to be married!

This facsimile copy contains 50 printed pages and despite not being as sexy to handle as the 'After the Battle ' example it contains the self-same entries and is available now as a significantly cheaper price!

Pages: 50
Cover: Soft
Author: Wing Commander Guy Gibson

A superb original booklet published by the Air Ministry A.I.2. branch in 1944. The cover is stamped 'Secret Registry' and has been signed above by an Adjutant Officer. The card covers enclose a total of 13 separate loose leaf pages held in position by string binding. Inside the front cover is key to the diagrams with images indicating crew positions, fuel tanks, armour plate and armament with a notation 'N.B. Guns are not to scale.' This page is stamped like the cover A.I.2 (G) followed by No W/111 and is dated 1/44.

Each page contains a drawing of the key Luftwaffe aircraft of the time showing detailed images of the aircraft from front, top, side and rear. The cut away images then indicate the crew positions, fuel tanks, positioning of the armour and gun position and type. Each page is stamped A.M. A.I.2 (g) and dated 1944. All the drawings are signed 'Drawn K.L. Approved J.J. 'A little online research has identified 'KL' as Kerry Lee, born in Hackney in 1903 and who became an artist with works ranging from text-book illustrations to wartime cut-away drawings of German aircraft. In February 1941 Lee was recruited by the Air Intelligence branch of the Secret intelligence Service MI6 (referred to as A.I.2.) and made up a trio of talented artists by joining Peter Castle and Hubert Redmill. They had full access to crashed and captured German aircraft, including The Enemy Aircraft Evaluation Unit (nicknamed appropriately 'The Rafwaffe'!) which resulted in detailed drawings as shown in our booklet and also a range of cutaway posters all designed to help allied aircrew and AA crews to maximise the effectiveness of their attacks.

These artists work is now largely forgotten but at the time played a critical part in the war effort. Very few of their wartime posters remain although copies are held by the Imperial War Museum. We have certainly never seen another example of this booklet offered for sale and is again incredibly rare, and despite its 74 years is in remarkably clean condition, with just minor foxing on some pages. The range of aircraft illustrated are the FW 190 the 109G, ME110, JU88, DO217J, ME410, JU88A, JU188, Do217, JU97, HS129, and interestingly the Messerschmitt ME323. The detailed cut away drawings show angle of fire for the guns and detail as bullet proof glass. This would have been an invaluable document for allied aircrew.

Lee left MI6 in 1946 and worked as a commercial artist and illustrator, forming Pictorial Maps Ltd just off Baker Street. The contributions made by Peter Endsleigh, Hubert Redmill and Kerry Lee working as Air Ministry draftsman to the War effort cannot be underestimated and many aircrew almost certainly owed their lives to this dedicated team. Kerry Lee died in 1988 aged 85. In view of the loose left binding of this booklet the 13 illustrations could easily be removed and framed and so make a fine matched collection for wall display without causing any damage. The booklet size is rather larger than A4 measuring 13 1/2" x 8 1/2" (34 cm x 22 cm). A one off item that we are unlikely to be able to replace; as with all our stock we are happy to supply additional photographs on request.

Pages: 13
Cover: Soft
Author: Issued by Air Ministry Branch A.I.2.(g)

It seems only appropriate we should list this item today, exactly 75 years to the day after Wing Commander Guy Gibson led 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on an audacious bombing raid to destroy three dams in the Ruhr valley, on an operation codenamed 'Chastise' that took place on the night of 16-17 May 1943.

Clearly this example is a replica, with the original Flying Log Book held as a national archive item at the Public Records Office. Despite this these copies are now also incredibly rare and have become a sought after collector's item in its own right. This was published in a single run by 'After the Battle ' magazine in 1975 and sold out very quickly and is now only very occasionally available on the second hand market. I will certainly never be selling my own copy but we have now been fortunate enough to find a further example that is offered for sale here.

Guy Gibson's Log Book No. 2 was faithfully replicated from the original copy held in the Public Record Office, London. The first and last pages have been stuck together as in the original book. The photograph that had been inserted on the page following the entry for the Dams raid on May 16, 1943, is missing in the original and is missing here. The log book cover, which is now showing some age related foxing (which actually adds to the authenticity in our view) is marked 'Log Book No2' ;it is not known what happened to Guy Gibson's original log book covering the period up to November 15, 1940. The written entries end of September 15, 1944. Just Three days later, on September 19, Gibson piloted a Mosquito to Rheydt in Germany, acting as Master Bomber for a raid on communications. At 21.53 hours he turned for home but three-quarters of an hour later crashed in flames at Steenbergen, Holland. Mystery continues to surround his loss but the current theory is he was mistaken for a Luftwaffe aircraft and was sadly shot down and killed by 'friendly fire'.

Don't just take our word for it just how good this facsimile is and I quote from Amazon. com reviewer J. R. Perkins: "As an historic document, this item ranks up there with the best. Especially if you have an interest in aviation from the Second World War, as Guy Gibson is one of the best known pilots of the Royal Air Force and to have a reproduction of his Log Book is something really special. Some of his less known sorties are listed here, being his time as a night fighter pilot with 29 Squadron flying Blenheims and then Beaufighters defending the skies of England against German night bombers. Truly a very special book to own and treasure. Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO DFC (12 August 1918 – 19 September 1944), was the first CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid (Operation Chastise) in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area. He was awarded the Victoria Cross and died later in the war. He had completed over 170 operations at the age of 24."

As mentioned these copies, that were made in a one off limited edition, hardly ever come on the market these days although we have noticed one is currently listed on Amazon. com at £352.00 We are happy to list ours at a rather keener price so make your choice! This example does have age related wear to the cover as already mentioned but the binding remains strong. Inside the entries are all clear and remain bright and the pages are generally clean with again just minor foxing in places, that adds rather than detracts to the authentic look of this amazing replica. Grab it whilst you can on this 75th anniversary of the raid as it is almost certain prices for these will continue to rise. Please also check out the 617 Squadron 'Honours Board' we have also listed on the site today.

Pages: 104
Cover: Hard
Author: Wing Commander G.P.Gibson D.F.C.

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 condition and appears to be in virtually unread condition.

Pages: 19
Cover: Hard
Author: Kevin King & Dave Humphrey

This excellent reference book for collectors has been compiled and edited by Mick J Prodger, the highly respected author of Vintage Flying Helmets and Luftwaffe Vs. RAF. For a full report on the background and raison d'être for this important new volume, please read our feature article on the Oldnautibits home page. The First Annual Market Report for Collectors contains 144 pages with 474 colour photographs featuring:- • Flying Headgear • Flying Clothing • Uniforms • Life Jackets / Parachutes • Escape / Evasion / Survival • Wings / Badges / Insignia • Aircraft Parts / Relics • Aviation Ephemera Every item is described in detail with its ACTUAL 2014 sale price achieved listed in GB pounds, US Dollars and Euros. All sales information is sourced from internationally known reputable sellers, which of course includes the team here at Oldnautibits, as well as selected private collectors. This is not just a price guide based on "expert" opinions – but rather a source of real prices paid for genuine items! Sorry this final volume is now sold so we are out of stock.

Pages: 144
Cover: Soft
Author: Mick J.Prodger

A small, but useful, guide covering Military and Naval Air Force collectables from 1914 to 1984. The book is written by A.J.Marriott-Smith and was published in 1989. It provides 64 pages of information and is interesting in providing a guide to the values current a quarter of a century ago! The book is fully illustrated with a mass of photographs and covers everything from flight clothing and equipment, escape items, ephemera, badges, aircraft parts and even an RAF Fire Streak missile! This copy is in excellent condition and despite its age is a good general guide to anyone setting out on collecting aviation memorabilia.

Pages: 64
Cover: Hard
Author: A.J.Marriott-Smith

The cover is stamped RAF form 6859 and Revised March 1979. The personal details have been completed and is named to a G.A. Hendy who enlisted in July 1976. The page also carries a weak ink stamp that says 'Ships Library' and we believe 'HMS Daedalus' which was formed in 1917 as an RNAS base and subsequently home to both the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm. We have no idea how Hendy's career went but the complete book is a blank so we can only speculate his chosen trade did not progress as expected! In view of this the book could be reused for a variety of uses 36 years after it was first issued. Modestly priced!

Pages: 58
Cover: Hard
Author: Not Stated

From a limited edition of 2, 500 copies which were published in 1996 and is an exact facsimile of the original. This lavishly produced replica covers Stanford Tuck's RAF career from his basic training in 1935 in an Avro Tutor to his final sortie in a Canberra in 1954. The section covering the Battle of Britain is superb and recorded in the matter of fact manner of the day. Tuck's final wartime Op on 28th January, 1942 reads "Rhubarb Patrol. Prisoner of War." When he went "in the bag", he had achieved 29 victories and had he continued on operations, could well have become Britain's top scoring ace. As close as it comes to owning the real thing! Complete with numbered limited edition certificate. In excellent condition.

Pages: 432
Cover: Hard
Author: Robert Stanford Tuck

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

In 1990 a unique fine art folio was published entitled "So Few" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This is the companion volume, published by W.H. Smith in 1995. This is an impressive hardback book containing 276 pages with many colour and black and white illustrations, letters and short biographies of 25 Bomber Command aircrew who are featured. It carries colour plates of the aircrews' cherished memorabilia like Mae Wests, Irvin jackets, flying helmets and other related wartime ephemera. The book was compiled in association with the Royal Air force Benevolent Fund as a tribute to the pilots, navigators, bomb-aimers, signallers, flight engineers and air gunners in Bomber Command in World War Two 1939 - 1945. This book profiles the selected aircrew with silhouettes of each of them in 1995, a photograph, where possible, taken during the war, a facsimile of a written reminiscence and a colour photograph of their memorabilia. We have a copy in our own library here, as well as the companion volume and we would commend to anyone with an interest in or association with Bomber Command. Whilst the fighter boys have tended to attract the most attention post war it must be remembered Bomber Command suffered a higher casualty rate than any other part of the British military in World War Two and my own late Father served as a pilot with the Command and beat the odds, largely as a result of being captured in 1941. This is a large coffee table style book measures 13.25" x 9 1/2" (34 cms x 24 cms) and weighs in at 1.8 Kilos. Condition is excellent although the dust cover is slightly sunned and has a minor tear but inside the condition is hard to fault.

Pages: 276
Cover: Hard
Author: Michael Pierce, John Golley & Bill G

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

A small but useful guide covering Military and Naval Air Force collectables from 1914 to 1984. The book is written by A.J.Marriott-Smith and was published in 1989. It provides 64 pages of information and is interesting in providing a guide to the values current a quarter of a century ago! The book is fully illustrated with a mass of photographs and covers everything from flight clothing and equipment, escape items, ephemera, badges, aircraft parts and even an RAF Fire Streak missile! This copy is in excellent condition and despite its age is a good general guide to anyone setting out on collecting aviation memorabilia.

Pages: 64
Cover: Hard
Author: A.J.Marriott-Smith

A good used example relating to Sotheby's classic aviation sale held at Summers Place, Billingshurst on 26th & 29th November 1994. This covers a wide range of aviation collectables with some good photographic illustrations including a 1940 scramble bell, a sector clock, a fighter grip, log books, medals and even a full size relica V-1 flying bomb! The aircraft section with photographs in colour and black and white details some classic airframes including Harvard, Canberra, Hunter and an airworthy ex PRU Spitfire Mk X1X of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. The estimate was £350, 000- £450, 000. How values have changed over the last 21 years! A great reference catalogue to have on the bookshelf. The pages are all in clean condition and the catalogue has not been written in. Sales estimates are shown but we do not have a record of prices realised.

Pages: 92
Cover: Soft
Author: Sotheby's

A good used example of the 4th edition published in 1962 by Ian Allan and compiled by John W.R.Taylor. It is appropriate to be listing this copy now as it features a fine period picture of an Avro Vulcan on the cover and it is this month (October 2015) that Vulcan XH558 will be making her last ever flight, 62 years after her first! Opening the pages of this booklet is like going back in time. It goes into some detail of how the RAF and was organised over 50 years ago and details the aircraft they operated then. It covers the various commands, training, methods of entry, aircraft colours and a section on ranks, badges and insignia. This in turn leads onto a wealth of black and white photographs of the aircraft operated at that time and leading off with the Avro Vulcan which first flew on 3rd September 1953. It concludes with a tantalising glimpse of the Hawker P.1127 vertical take off strike fighter which went on to serve with distinction as the Harrier. Less satisfactory is a mention of the Vickers/English Electric TSR-2 bomber which 'will combine Mach 2 performance with the ability to operate from very short airstrips'.Or not. The back cover featured an advertisement for Airfix model aircraft which back in 1962 I was a prime customer! 64 pages of nostalgia at a very modest price!

Pages: 64
Cover: Soft
Author: J.W.R.Taylor

Here, at Oldnautibits HQ, we get to see all sorts of items and this little booklet entitled "The RAF Gen Book of Service Slang", has caused us much amusement! We understand that the book was compiled by Ernest L. Howard-Williams, who used the pseudonym "HW" - "HW" was a serving WWII RAF Officer when he compiled the book. The inside cover is named to "D. Billingham - Xmas 1945". The book contains an alphabetical guide to WWII RAF slang, together with a range of cartoons that illustrate the meaning of many of the expressions. What makes this copy rather special is someone, perhaps D.Billingham himself, has hand coloured all the illustrations. In addition, in the "gen" listings he has added in pencil some more of his own like "Twilight.... See Passion Killers", which are also featured in one of the cartoons! Another addition is Penguin - a rank without wings, or in other words non aircrew personnel. Other examples are a "Fizzer", who was a good looking girl, or a perfect landing, a "Target for Tonight" is a girlfriend, a "Devil Dodger" is the RAF Chaplin. Confusingly, both "Blackouts" and "Passion Killers" are WAAF's knickers! A "Jeep" is apparently a local girl, or a small runabout, or possibly both? This paperback booklet shows some wear commensurate with age, but generally very good and, as we have said, has caused a lot of amusement here in the Oldnautibits HQ! With the festive season on us before very long, this would be an excellent unique stocking filler at a modest price. Click the cycling images above, to see the Slideshow

Pages: 32
Cover: Soft
Author: Ernest L. Howard-Williams,

We spotted this modest volume on our travels recently and could not resist it! A very interesting and informative book by Colonel W.A.Tilney, first published in 1915, to aid both soldiers and aviators to find their way home when caught behind enemy lines or over enemy territory. Entitled "Marching or Flying by Night Without a Compass " this soft back example is the 11th edition published in 1940 when no doubt WWII aviators and ground troops found it equally useful in the days long before GPS! It is in very good used condition and is named on the cover to E.P.Jones. It includes a 'Timetable of Directional Stars' for every month of the year and can be used between Latitudes 40 Degrees North - 55 Degrees North. In the introduction Col Tilney states 'On the conclusion of hostilities in the Great war after the system had been tried and tested hundreds of men serving under my command owe their lives and liberty to this simple process'! The booklet contains fold out maps at the back showing stars in the north and south end of the heavenly dome as well as summer, autumn winter and spring direction stars as per the photographs. Would enhance any collection. Measures 6" x 3.5" (15 cm x 9 cm)

Pages: 57
Cover: Soft
Author: Colonel W.A.Tilney