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OXYGEN / RADIO EQUIPMENT - RESOURCES Feb 10, 2022 RAF B TYPE FLYING HELMET WITH TYPE D OXYGEN MASK USED AS A MICROPHONE CARRIER w/ TYPE 54 ADAPTOR A recent pickup of mine is this gorgeous headgear set, totally original and stored away since the war. The set comprises a Type B Flying... Jan 1, 2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR! I would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year. 2021 was a difficult year for many of us, but despite the challenges... May 16, 2021 RAF, 1941, EARLY WW2 C TYPE FLYING HELMET HEADGEAR SET From my private collection is this early WW2 RAF headgear set dating from 1941. ALL POSTS FLYING HELMETS FLYING GOGGLES OXYGEN / RADIO EQUIPMENT FLYING CLOTHING / EQUIPMENT WEBSITE MESSAGES NEW STOCK (NEW) ITEMS IN MY COLLECTION

ABOUT RAF MILITARIA was born out of my desire to provide an accessible and informative platform for fellow collectors and enthusiasts of Royal Air Force militaria, with an unashamedly deliberate focus on Flying Clothing & Equipment. When I obtained my first flying helmet in 2005, I was an 11 year old with the internet at his fingertips, but sadly no accessible resources to hand. I buried my nose in books and any reference materials I could find, and publications from the likes of Louise Greer & Anthony Harold ; Jim Weld ; and, of course, Mick Prodger , greatly expanded my limited knowledge. Their books were not just a great introduction into the collecting world of RAF Flying Clothing & Equipment, in many cases they were, and still are, definitive works. See here . But of course I was always hungry for more. And the internet, ironically, was not forthcoming. Well over a decade later, that situation is little changed. It takes an enterprising collector to do their research. As a collector who likes to engage with others, forums and social media groups have reigned supreme for knowledge-sharing, but these are not accessible or ideal for everyone, and require a lot of rummaging and engagement to prove fruitful (though for new collectors I cannot emphasise how invaluable it is to engage with fellow collectors). This website, therefore, is intended as a platform for me to share my collection, knowledge and experiences for any calibre of collector to enjoy. From time to time I may list items for sale, but I would like to put a special focus on building a library of useful and engaging resources for us all to enjoy. I will welcome any input on blogs/articles you would like to see, and likewise if anyone has items they themselves would like to share then I would be more than happy to collaborate. Thank you, and I hope you find my website interesting. I apologise in advance for the fact that early war, namely Battle of Britain, flying clothing & equipment has special attention. ​ ​ - Ben Edmonds ​ “COLLECTING IS MORE THAN JUST BUYING OBJECTS.” ELI BROAD

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS In today's collecting world social media has really taken off as a means to bring collectors together. There is little wonder that as the turnout of quality RAF kit at militaria fairs has dwindled, the online market has boomed. One specific persecutor of this has been eBay and the rise of online auction sites. Everyone can be a dealer now and it has never been easier for people to compete over rare items. It is a double edged sword: auction sites have brought rare items to people's attention when they could perhaps have slipped the radar, but it has also helped see dramatic spikes in realised prices on basic items. The overarching result of this is that a lot of collectors interested in RAF militaria use social media as a main form of communication, and not militaria fairs or aerojumbles (which now seem to be a thing of the past). The hobby may have lost its personal touch, but the borders for communication channels are multi-national. It's a truly international affair. FACEBOOK Facebook is a massive platform and it continues to grow at an alarming pace. It is also a lively location for collectors to assemble, with specific collecting groups being quick and easy to setup by anyone. There are a few groups I personally frequent and many of my contacts have been made through these channels. WW2 Original RAF Flying clothing collectors group 2.0 One of the main groups for RAF flying clothing collectors, with a focus on original kit and original kit only. There is a lot of regular chat, and some fantastic resources to look back through. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. WWII RAF Kit, Flight Gear, Clothing, Discussion, Buying and Selling Another superb group of collectors setup by my good friend Glenn Heyler (most of the sweats here will be present in the above group). I have the privilege of being an Administrator of this group. The focus is on original flying kit, but the discussion of certain reproduction items and ephemera is condoned, so there are some very useful topics for reenactors and collectors alike. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. RAF WWII Type B Flying Helmet Club Another group setup by my good friend Glenn Heyler, who like me has a strong interest for early war flying kit. As the title would suggest, this group is specifically focused on the RAF B Type Flying Helmet. Very useful for Battle of Britain or early war collectors. There are daily postings of original, period photos showing the B Types in use and some fantastic resources to look back on. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. RAF Type C Flying Helmet Resource Group The next two groups were all setup by a good friend of mine, Dan Johnson. Dan is a lovely guy and graciously takes the time to ensure he uploads at least one post to each group daily. ​ Quite simply a superb group if you are interested in the RAF C Type Flying Helmet or any of its cousins. Expect daily posts and a lot of interesting discussion about the various iterations of this helmet throughout the war (not to mention a lot of crossovers with USAAF kit too). There are a wealth of resources here to look back over. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. The RAF 32 Pattern and 41 Pattern Mae West Resource Group The third group of Dan's that I regularly frequent and another excellent resource for any collector interested in the two main life preserver's the RAF used during WW2. ​ Currently this group is invite only, so please message me if you have any interest in joining. Irvin Flying Jackets "Collectors and enthusiasts" Another fantastic group, focused this time on the Irvin Flying Jacket. Lots of great posts to look back on, and the group has some senior members who really are experts on the subject of Irvins. If you are needing to research an Irvin in your collection or simply have an interest in these flying jackets, look no further. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. WW2 British and Commonwealth Militaria sales and wants. A brilliant group for collectors of British and Commonwealth WW2 militaria. The focus may be broad, but there are often RAF items posted for sale, and it can be a great location to post a wanted add. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the group. ONLINE FORUMS When I started collecting social media was in its relative infancy and online forums where the main hub for collectors to communicate through. Many forums have died down, killed off by other social media platforms, but some remain and contain invaluable resources for vigilant collectors. Make yourself a hot drink and spend some time going through the archives. WW2 RAF COLLECTORS FORUM The original forum that first got me into collecting and allowed me to connect to many of my close collector-friends today. The WW2 RAF Collectors Forum was originally hosted on a website called Network54, and in its hey-day was THE place to go to discuss RAF Flying Clothing & Equipment. At the end of 2017 the forum was decommissioned, but in 2021 it has been rejuvenated and there are countless pages containing copious threads, reference materials and discussion topics that I highly recommend sifting through. A lot of credit needs to go to Chris Kanca for first creating the forum and graciously keeping it running for almost two decades now. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the forum. VINTAGE LEATHER JACKETS FORUM A fantastic forum for anyone interested in flying jackets, the Vintage Leather Jackets (VLJ) Forum contains a great group of collectors and enthusiasts with regular, lively discussions on both original and reproduction flying jackets. There is definitely a strong focus on A2 Jackets, so this is definitely one for USAAF enthusiasts, but there are also some great topics on RAF Irvin Jackets and a lot of research materials to look through. ​ Click the photo to proceed to the forum.

BOOKS & REFERENCE MATERIALS When I first started collecting, the only real form of reference materials I had at my disposal were books. I was lucky to start collecting when a number of excellent reference books were already available; many collectors before my time started with nothing! Although extensive as the internet is, there are not many websites with complete and accurate reference guides and thus I cannot stress the importance of keeping a good library. Flying Clothing: The Story of Its Development Louise Greer & Anthony Harold - 1979 One of the first books on flying clothing I ever owned, and first published in 1979 (so a generation before I was even born), this book still holds its own today and is a great introduction into the history of flying clothing. The book covers the period right from the inception of flight and goes further beyond the two World Wars. It is very well written, and whilst it may lack the specific focus of other books that proceeded it, it has some excellent period photos. ​ Available here . Flying Headgear of the World 1934-1945 Jim Weld - 1980 Another early book on flying clothing I owned, this time focused on headgear. I remember making copious notes on my own copy of this booking, ticking off items as I was able to procure them. Although published in black and white, there is some fantastic kit on show (although some rare items have been replaced by diagrams). There were a number of errors in this book, not least the fact that Mark II Goggles were erroneously gifted the 22C reference number of a pair of Mark VIIIs (prompting various copies of the former to grace the market with incorrect codes), but it still a great book to own. ​ Available here . Flight Equipment of the RAF 1920-1945 Kevin King & Dave Humphrey - 1990 Another fantastic reference book and again, whilst printed in black and white, there are some great photos of flying kit (a lot taken from the fabled Kent Sales auctions). This book is worth purchasing alone for the extensive Stores Clothing reference numbers 22C list, included in the back pages, starting from 22C/1 (Belts, Life Saving, Self Inflating, Type A) through to 22C/1070 (Backpack for Overall, Flying, Lightweight) more commonly known as the Beadon Suit. A hard book to come by. Osprey - Men-At-Arms Series: Royal Air Force 1939-45 Andrew Cormack - 1990 A very handy, concise book to have to hand, Andrew Cormack draws on extensive records available at RAF Hendon to put together this excellent publication covering the development of uniforms, clothing and equipment of the RAF in WW2. There are some lovely coloured drawings in the centre of the book by Ron Volstad. ​ ​ Available here . THE MICK PRODGER 'TRILOGY': Without a shadow of a doubt, the best reference books one can own on the subject of RAF Flying Clothing and Equipment are the three written by my good friend, Mick Prodger: ​ Vintage Flying Helmets: Aviation Headgear Before The Jet Age Luftwaffe vs RAF: Flying Clothing of the Air War 1939-45 Luftwaffe vs RAF: Flying Equipment of the Air War 1939-45. ​ I am not biased when it comes to these books; they are undoubtedly the finest books written on the subject. The publications are gloriously detailed, with exquisite photography complemented by rare period photos. The copies I own are now rather dog eared and tired, but that is the hallmark of a great book: one that you simply cannot put down. These three are as interesting as they are informative. The books can be purchased through Mick at his website. Vintage Flying Helmets: Aviation Headgear Before The Jet Age Mick Prodger - 1995 The bible when it comes to flying headgear. No finer reference book has been written (and I doubt any ever will be). This books covers a vast period in the evolution of Flying Headgear, from the early inception of flight right up until the end of WW2. I would recommend this for collectors of all nations and eras, and for myself whose main focus is on early and pre-war RAF flying clothing and equipment this is a very indulgent book. Lavish photography and a fantastic reference of original photos, all extensively researched. Luftwaffe vs RAF: Flying Clothing of the Air War 1939-45 Mick Prodger - 1997 The first in a two-part series of books written by Mick Prodger, this would be my go-to book for any avid RAF collector looking to purchase just one reference book on flying clothing to start out with. The book has a very interesting spin on the evolution of flying clothing by two opposing nations during WW2: the British RAF and the German Luftwaffe. It is fascinating to note similarities and vast technological disparities between both forces, whilst observing how the demands of war catalysed the progression of flying clothing towards the modern standards we know today. Flying Clothing covers the headgear Mick detailed in his previous book, but goes one step further to encompass flying suits, boots, gloves and other forms of clothing. Luftwaffe vs RAF: Flying Equipment of the Air War 1939-45 Mick Prodger - 1998 The final publication in Mick Prodger's fantastic two-part series, Flying Equipment expands on what Mick had already laid out in Flying Clothing , this time going into detail about items of flying equipment from life-saving garments to parachutes and escape items. Perhaps slightly more specialist than Mick's previous books, this is nonetheless an indispensable book for the keen collector. OTHER REFERENCE BOOKS: Their Finest Hour - A Collector's Guide to the Battle of Britain David Farnsworth - 2010 Issued as a free, 15 page supplement with The Armourer magazine marking the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in September 2010, this is a gem of an article put together by my friend and esteemed collector and dealer, David Farnsworth. There are some fantastic photos in this booklet, and not to mention it is packed full of clear and accurate details, all the result of years spent handling copious examples of flying gear. Sadly I do not know of anywhere this has been reproduced. The RAF Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot's Kitbag Mark Hillier - 2018 A lovely book for a Battle of Britain collector like myself, Mark Hillier has put together a very concise publication, tightly packed with fantastic photos and extensive research (with help from the likes of esteemed collectors such as Simon Lannoy, Mick Prodger and David Farnsworth). There are original, period photos in this book that I had never seen before making it a great resource to purchase. If the Battle of Britain is your main interest, I highly recommend picking this up. ​ Available here .

OXYGEN MASKS / MICROPHONES Sort by SOLD RAF ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN’ TYPE D OXYGEN MASK - RESTORED UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF TYPE G OXYGEN MASK, LARGE UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF TYPE H OXYGEN MASK, WW2 1945 DATED UNAVAILABLE RESERVED RAF TYPE 21 MICROPHONE & EXTERNAL WIRING LOOM SET UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF TYPE 26 MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY - COMPLETE UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF EARLY PATTERN OXYGEN HOSE - PART REPRO UNAVAILABLE NEW RAF TYPE D OXYGEN MASK CHAMOIS FACE DEFENDERS / FROST PROTECTORS - 22C/68 Price £75.00 SOLD RAF TYPE 27 ‘PING-PONG’ CARBON MICROPHONE - SHELL UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN’ TYPE E CARBON MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY FOR THE TYPE D MASK UNAVAILABLE SOLD ORIGINAL RAF TYPE D OXYGEN MASK HOSE / ADAPTOR TUBE 6D/561+ 6D/101 CONNECTOR UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF MARK IIIB* CONNECTOR FOR THE TYPE D OXYGEN MASK HOSE - 6D/101 UNAVAILABLE RAF 'BATTLE OF BRITAIN' ORIGINAL D TYPE OXYGEN MASK UNBRAIDED HOSE Price £175.00

FLYING SUITS Sort by SOLD RAF EARLY HARNESSUIT SILK COVERED STOLE (1941 MAE WEST) UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF DUAL PURPOSE COMBINED PATTERN HARNESSUIT, NOS UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF 1941 PATTERN ‘SIDCOT’ FLYING SUIT, SIZE 3, 22C/775 - DFC HISTORY UNAVAILABLE

FLYING BOOTS Sort by SOLD RAF 1943 PATTERN FLYING BOOTS ‘ESCAPE’ KNIFE UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF 1943 PATTERN ‘ESCAPE’ FLYING BOOTS - SIZE 10 UNAVAILABLE SOLD *RARE* RAF MOSQUITO FLYING BOOTS GROUPING W/ PRU INTEREST - SIZE 9 1944 Dated UNAVAILABLE SOLD RAF 1943 PATTERN ESCAPE FLYING BOOTS UNAVAILABLE

REPUTABLE DEALERS & SPECIALISTS One of the aspects of collecting RAF Militaria that has always drawn me deeper into the hobby is the wealth of friendly and accommodating dealers and specialists who are not only extremely knowledgeable but also lovely people. Whilst there can sometimes be nothing more exhilarating than securing an item at a fair or an auction for a fantastic price, I cannot emphasise how much security one can place in purchasing from a dealer. I have seen so many contemporary collectors stung by purchasing fake items at auction, or tatty items that have been incorrectly described. With a dealer you can trust you know what you are getting, and all purchases come with a money back guarantee (please see their respective websites for more details on this). There are also some fantastic individuals who offer exemplary services in repairing and restoring original items of RAF Militaria. I can honestly say that without some of these specialists, many of our collections would not be where they are today. DEALERS / SPECIALISTS These are some of the main dealers and specialists I can recommend; most of whom I have, myself, had the pleasure of transacting and working with. They are all extremely knowledgeable and more importantly trustworthy. It pays to be in safe hands. The Historic Flying Clothing Company David Farnsworth David started ' The Historic Flying Clothing Company ' in 1993 when his own collection of RAF flight gear had simply "got out of hand". Since then David has gone from strength to strength and is now one of most renowned names in the business. David has a superb website, with meaty updates that occur at various points throughout the year. There is only so much that can be listed; David's stock is vast so I highly recommend contacting him if there is a specific item on your wishlist as there is a good chance he will be able to assist. I have purchased some exceptional items from David over the years, and his kit is always accurately described and fairly priced. You would be lucky to find a more knowledgeable dealer. David has seen my collection grow since I first started collecting, and has always been patient, generous and accommodating with me. I could not recommend him higher. Air Ministry Militaria Steve Milnthorpe Steve Milnthorpe has been a household name in the collecting world for a long time, and some of my first items of flying equipment were purchased directly from him when I started collecting. You could not meet a more honest, humble dealer. Steve's repertoire expands far beyond flying kit though; he is renowned for overseeing some highly impressive restoration projects, well documented in various editions of FlyPast Magazine. More recently Steve completed an exceptional restoration of the cockpit section of Boston IIIa BZ 264, documented in the February 2021 edition of FlyPast . Steve's attention to detail is second to none. Steve has a fantastic website, usually with updates twice a week, and regularly sells some extremely high quality pieces of flying kit. Vintage Flying Helmets Mick Prodger An individual who needs no introduction, Mick Prodger's name is tattooed on the tongues of most collectors and enthusiasts, famous for producing three seminal works on RAF flying Kit: Vintage Flying Helmets , and the two-part Luftwaffe vs RAF series. All three books have been instrumental in honing my knowledge on flying clothing and equipment. Mick does not let his name precede him; since first contacting Mick when I began collecting he has been nothing but generous, humble and accommodating with his exceptional knowledge, though he modestly waives away any suggestion he is an 'expert'. Mick prefers the term "opinionated enthusiast". ​ Mick is not a dealer by trade, but his website does update weekly on Sundays, usually with some exceptional, rare items. Many of my most prized items in my collection have come from Mick. SC Aviation Collectibles Samuel Corke A relatively new name in the game, Samuel Corke started SC Aviation Collectibles in 2016 and has witnessed his business blossom in the years since. Buying and selling aviation related collectables from the early 20th century up-to the present day, Sam mainly focuses on WW2 RAF flying kit and has sold some absolutely superb items over the past few years. Sam is a fantastic chap and very knowledgeable on RAF flying kit. He has stalled out at various high profile militaria fairs here in the UK, including Stoneleigh, but conducts the majority of his business online, mainly through his Facebook page (click the thumbnail) or via his eBay store: scaviationcollectibles . ​ I would recommend getting in touch if there are specific items you are searching for. Blighty Militaria Jamie Delaney Blighty Militaria have been running for a number of years now, and regularly offer some exceptional items of RAF flying kit. Jamie Delaney started Blighty Militaria when he was relatively young; as a penniless musician he found himself buying and selling to get the items he wanted, and everything snowballed from there. Fast forward a number of years, and Blighty Militaria have become a premier name in the collecting world, offering a myriad of items of 20th Century militaria. ​ Jamie is a very friendly, knowledgeable dealer, and has been able to help me with specific items for my collection that I was struggling to locate. REPAIR SPECIALISTS Given the fact that many of the items we collect are at least 80 years old, there comes a time that certain repair jobs may need to be carried out. I cannot stress, therefore, the importance in having a reputable, skilled individual who can be trusted to carry out repair work sympathetically. Sefton Clothing Co Stephen Silburn Stephen Silburn, a man who needs no introduction, started Sefton Clothing Co in 1989 as a result of a long edified love affair with flying clothing and equipment. Since then Stephen has provided the collecting world with museum-quality reproduction items, ranging from B Type Flying Helmets to D Type Oxygen Masks. Many of these items have seen a myriad of uses, from museum displays to film productions; most recently Stephen contributed some fantastic kit to the Dunkirk (2017) film. Stephen is perhaps one of the most humble individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting in this hobby. He has always been generous and accommodating with his expert knowledge, and for collectors like myself he is perhaps best renowned for his meticulous repair work. My collection would not be half of what it is without Stephen's contribution. It is perhaps a testament to Stephen's work that in writing a section on repair specialists, he is the only name I am happy to provide. Stephen can be easily contacted through facebook (please click the thumbnail to be taken to his page), but he is also available via email: seftonclothingco@aol.com Please note that due to the quality of Stephen's work he is regularly in high demand, so please be understanding of his busy schedule if contacting him.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ARE YOU A DEALER? No. I am not a dealer, merely a collector looking to share my collection, both in a material and immaterial way. I will list items for sale on an ad hoc basis, and therefore please read the below terms which apply to any items for sale. ​ HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER? Simply email me: rafmilitaria@gmail.com Given the fact I am not a dealer and will only use this website as a platform to sell from time to time, I have not setup a fully-automated webshop. That said, the order process is very straightforward. All available items will show the price and a button to "GET IT". All prices are exempt of shipping costs. Clicking this button will take you to an email page where you can message me directly to secure the item. I will then get in touch to assist with shipping costs and delivery options. Payment by PayPal (which allows use of all major credit cards) or Direct Bank Transfer are all accepted. Let me know your preference and I will send you the appropriate invoice. ​ GUARANTEE All items advertised on this web site are of original period manufacture unless stated otherwise. I always go to great lengths to describe my items accurately, and supplement all descriptions with detailed photographs. A money back guarantee is offered on all items, subject to the below terms: ​ TERMS OF BUSINESS Should you be unhappy with any item purchased, please contact me by email within 7 days of receipt of the goods - rafmilitaria@gmail.com The item can then be returned to me, provided that it is in the condition as sent, for a full refund of the purchase price. If an item is not notified to me within this time, it will be considered as being sold. I regret that postage costs are non-refundable This refund offer does not apply to any goods purchased in error (including errors in translation of the text of this web site to another language), on the behalf of a third party, nor to goods that have been damaged, disassembled or tampered with after purchase. All items sold are intended for collecting and preserving, and are NOT intended for usage or wear. I will never guarantee the fitting of any clothing, footwear or headgear, nor their suitability for being worn. The responsibility lies with the customer to ensure that any goods ordered are allowed to be imported into your country. If an item has to be returned because it cannot be imported to your country, I can offer your money back, less any return postage & import costs incurred, but I am unable to provide a full refund. Any returned items paid for via Paypal will be refunded via Paypal. No contract exists between rafmilitaria.com and the buyer until payment in full has been received and the item(s) despatched. Initial acknowledgment of your order does not constitute acceptance of that order. Should your order not be accepted for any reason, you will be notified by email and any payment received will be refunded. ​ SHIPPING AND INSURANCE Items will be shipped worldwide via reliable delivery services, but are sent entirely at the customer's own risk. Items will always be well packed to prevent damage, and any applicable despatch documents will be obtained. In the unlikely event of a parcel being lost in transit, I will not be held liable. Full insurance against loss or damage is strongly recommended; indeed, in many cases I will not shop items without full insurance. Any claims for insurance compensation will be the responsibility of the buyer. Any import duties and taxes are always the responsibility of the buyer. ​ COPYRIGHT All photographs on the website are the property of rafmilitaria.com and may not be reproduced without permission. ​ ELECTRONIC DISCLAIMER rafmilitaria.com reserves the right to refuse any sale due to electronic failure in the pricing of any specific item. ​