Virtual Museum - German/Luftwaffe
Items
Ref No. 1214. MESSERSCHMITT BF109 CONTROL GRIP.
These grips are one of the most highly prized items sort after by collectors
of aviation memorabilia. There were several variations of this grip and they
were used on fighter aircraft such as the Bf109 and FW190. The buttons had
various functions. The guard seen at top back (looks like a trigger) had
two positions. When in the position shown, the machine guns and cannon could
be activated by pushing the top button or pulling on the guard lever itself
which pushed a button underneath. With the guard flipped over to the back,
it would prevent either button being pushed and thus acted as a safety. The
button at top left released any ordnance fitted such as bombs. This example
was souvenired from an aircraft that had ground-looped and was abandoned at
an airfield south of Munich.
Ref. No. 1222. FLAP MOUNTING BRACKET FROM JUNKERS 88 SHOT DOWN DURING
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN. On the morning of 27 September 1940, the Luftwaffe
were carrying out a raid on London when a Junkers 88 (Wk Nr 8095 with markings
3Z+HK) was intercepted with other aircraft south-south-east of Biggin Hill
at Oxted. The aircraft then flew west to Esher, where it was attacked
by Hurricane fighters from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron and No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron.
After the attack, one of the engines caught fire and the aircaft turned south
toward the coast. The pilot managed to fly over Leatherhead and then Dorking
where the crew bailed out a short time later. The aircraft crashed 50 metres
from a house at Folly Farm, South Holmwood at 10.30 am. From the evidence
available, it is highly probable this aircraft was claimed by the Candian
pilot Group Captain Gordon Roy McGregor. For further details on this event,
please click here.
Ref No. 1102. MESSERSCHMITT BF109 RPM GAUGE.
Ref. No. 1101. MESSERSCHMITT BF109 ALTIMETER
Ref. No.1213. LUFTWAFFE WINTER FLYING HELMET LKPW101. Includes
full throat microphone and leads. Dark brown leather. Throat microphones
attach with dome at front. Each microphone has following writing: “Mi4C bxo
Ln26779-3”. Ear pieces are marked: “Ln 26602”. Helmet has label: “FL. Kopfhaube
Gr: Baumuster LKpW 101 Great-Nr 124-436/A. Werk-Nr -/K.H.sl Anf.Z. Ln 26618
Hersteller bxo”. Lined with lambskin with chamois upper near forehead. Marked
on strap at top is “M”. Plug has writing: “BLK v Fl 27560”.
Ref. No. 880. LUFTWAFFE FLYING HELMET. Model LKp S100 (Fl31216).
This helmet is the summer equivalent of the LKp W100 and was made from the
exact same pattern but constructed from light brown flecked fabric lined
with green satin. Together with the LKp W100, the LKp S100 was the
standard flying helmet issued for crew positions requiring radio communication
from 1936. Even though an improved version of the helmet was issued
in 1938, this pattern was used throughout the Battle of Britain. The
helmet features interior fleece around the black aluminium oval ear cups,
and Siemens radio receivers. It has hooks on each side and an adjustable
ring on top for attaching a three-strap oxygen mask (model Hm5 or Hm15).
This example is missing the throat microphone, although the buckle for this
remains on the right hand side. There are two labels on the inside.
The main one reads “Siemens. FL 31216. Baumuster LKp S100.” It is stamped
in red ink with “BAL 722” and “25 Okt 1937”. A smaller label reads:
“Striegel & Wagner G.M.B.H. Lichtenfels/Bayer. Ostmark”, and has the
word “Grosse:” with “58” stamped in red ink. One interesting difference
of this example compared to others shown in books is the electrical lead
and plug. Normally the lead was rubberised and single. In this
example the plug is male, and the single lead (thread covered) branches into
two, both of which enter the leather covering at the rear of the helmet.
The plug is made of bakelight and features a single brass pin, which replaces
the normal four-pin plug.