Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book

Historical information

F/SGT. P F Thomas qualified as Air Bomber on B24 Liberators 13.11.44

Inscriptions & Markings

Form A.73. (June 1938) Royal Australian Air Force Observer's, Air Gunner's and W/T operator's Flying Log Book No 443350 P F Thomas

Leather helmet with suede lining, under chin strap, earphone inlets with snap locked flaps. Metal framed goggles with leather surrounds, adjustable rubber strap and split glass lenses.

Significance

These goggles and helmets were issued to flying recruits for learning to fly biplanes.

Inscriptions & Markings

Made in England Patent. R51067 scratched into metal.

Small bakelite P39 Aircobra Aircraft, coloured black matt including hole for suspension and mobility.

Historical information

Created to supply training and recognition of friendly/enemy aircraft.

Significance

Expanded the skills of recognition for air crew, ground crew and defence activities.

Inscriptions & Markings

P-39 June 42 US

Square leather case with 2 handles and metal clasp, with gold inscriptions.

Historical information

Service manuals for the B-24D Liberator aircraft.

Significance

These instruction mauals were officially issued from the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, California USA

Inscriptions & Markings

E. Duplex SUMITON, ALA. CONSOLIDATED VULTEE with an eagle in gold circle. Service Manuals. 01618 i tooled into base of case.

Brown Box containing 4 green, 4 orange and 2 clear replacement lenses for Polaroid 1068 Goggles.

Historical information

Used by airmen in WWII

Inscriptions & Markings

Polaroid Aviation Goggles Kit No. 1068.

Compass believed to be from a 'Betty' or 'Dinah' Japanese Aircraft.

Inscriptions & Markings

Model 9 - 2 magnetic type compass for aircraft YOKOGAWA Electric Company. Made in August 1942. Serial No. 8305411

Rectangular blue linen bound cover book

Historical information

C. G. Ashcroft qualified as a 1st Engineer on B-24 Liberator aircraft in March 1944

Inscriptions & Markings

G C Ashcroft 32827 Flying Officer

RAAF member's Pay Book (in poor condition)

Inscriptions & Markings

Official No. 402653. Pay Book No. 29946. Surname: Frecker. Christian Names: Mason Day. Royal Australian Air Force Member's Pay Book

The Pratt & Whitney R 1830 is a double row 14 cylinder air cooled radial engine with a capacity of 1830 cubic inches (30 litres), developing some 1200 horsepower at a maximum 2700 rpm.

Historical information

Between Pratt & Whitney and numerous licensed companies, there were over 180,000 of these engines manufactured in a number of specifications. The B-24 Liberator would have been their major recipient but other famous aircraft using the same engine were the Consolidated Catalina flying boat and the Douglas DC3/C47/Dakota. Refer Wikipedia link for other aircraft that used this engine.

Significance

As a result of the significant and ongoing usage of these engines in civil aircraft such as the Douglas DC3, they are by no means rare. Many parts can still be sourced new and there are several companies that have the capacity to rebuild these engines to an airworthy standard.

Full-sized replica of an Airspeed Oxford aircraft. This type of aircraft was described as a multi-engine three-seat advanced military trainer monoplane. It was a wooden construction using plywood and fabric covering and powered by two 375 HP Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah 10 engines.

Historical information

This type first flew in 1937 and by the start of WWII it was the preferred aircraft in all Empire Air Training Schemes for multi-engine pilot training.

Significance

By the beginning of WWII the Airspeed Oxford was the preferred aircraft in all Empire Air Training Schemes for multi-engine pilot training. As of April 2014, no Airspeed Oxfords remain in the world in airworthy condition and there are very few complete air frames. There are reportedly some restoration-to-fly projects underway, one in New Zealand.

Inscriptions & Markings

Parts originally used a base for this reconstruction were reckoned to be from an Oxford Mk 2 with registration A25 LX181 which was based at Point Cook and used extensively in training from the Werribee Aerodrome.

Small bakelite Japanese "NICK" aircraft model. Coloured matt black including hole for suspension and mobility.

Historical information

Created to supply training and recognition of friendly/enemy aircraft

Significance

Expanded the skills of recognition for aircrew and ground crew and defence activities

Inscriptions & Markings

"NICK" E9-3811 D^D D/LtdC

Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book

Historical information

F/Lt Redman J.R.W. 402395 qualified as a pilot on Liberator 23/12/44

Inscriptions & Markings

Royal Air Force Pilot's Flying Log Book. Redman J.R.W.

American Flag wrapped in triangular shape and contained within a red felt covered box with a certificate and covering letter

Inscriptions & Markings

Refer to certificate and covering letter

An oblong, cream colour, single-sided map printed in black and white with brown contours, Celebes

Historical information

Silk and rayon maps were produced by Australia, Great Britain (some 1.75 million in total) and the United States (c.7.5 million) during World War II. They were issued to Allied military personnel as part of 'escape and evasion' kits.

Significance

This silk map, one of relatively few produced in Australia (most Australian RAAF pilots and crew were issued with British and US maps), is an original map from World War II.

Inscriptions & Markings

'Prepared under the direction of RAAF Headquarters' Celebes (with Insets 'A' to 'E')

Crackle black single unit. Supplies Gunner with range and ballistic 'drop' information. (Three units held.)

Inscriptions & Markings

Serial No. 4740 (Sperry) S/No. 410380 (N>C>R> under Licence) S/No. 411901 (N>C>R>)

Pilot's Notes for Bristol - Hercules V1 Engines in Wellington aircraft.

Historical information

Used by pilots during WWII

Inscriptions & Markings

Issue No. 1 February 1943 (M.D. Frecker) These Notes are applicable only to engines running on 100-octane fuel and are complementary to information given in official publications.

Rectangular mirror with see through cross in centre on front. Instructions for use printed on rear. Cord threaded through corner hole. Contained in original cardboard container.

Historical information

A.J.Abicair was C/O of 486 Maintenance Squadron from 22/08/1946 having been promoted to A/W.Cdr in May 1944 , then T/OT/W/Cdr. January 1945. .

Significance

Part of the collection of Wing Commander A.J.Abicair issued equipment.

Inscriptions & Markings

One Emergency Signalling Mirror ESM/1. "Spec. 40653" Open this end and pull lanyard. This package contains 1 emergency signalling mirror with which the attention of persons in the distance (in ships, aircraft, etc) may be attracted by a beam of reflected sunlight. A positive means of aiming the reflected beam of light is provided.Instructions are printed on the other side of this package and on mirror. General Electric company. Instruction for use are written on the rear. From collection of Wing/Com A.J. Abicair

A multi-coloured, contoured, double-sided map printed on acetate rayon

Historical information

Silk and rayon maps were produced by the United States (c. 7.5 million in total), Great Britain (some 1.75 million in total) and Australia during World War II. They were issued to Allied military personnel as part of 'escape and evasion' kits.

Significance

This map, printed on acetate rayon, is an original US 'escape and evasion' kit map from World War II.

Inscriptions & Markings

AAF Cloth Map - Southwest Pacific Area Side 1 - No. 23 North Celebes Side 2 - No. 24 South Celebes

This equipment was used to detect and analyse enemy radar transmissions. A piece of radio equipment very typical of the time, aluminium with circular glass display screen.

Loose-leaf manual in three-ring binder. Dark brown with gold lettering. 86 pages.

Historical information

Original 1943 manual. Issued to B-24 Liberator Flight Engineers.

Significance

Issued to RAAF B-24 Liberator flight engineers.

Inscriptions & Markings

Published 1943 by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. San Diego, California. Printed by Fry & Smith Ltd. San Diego, California.

2 black discs printed with luminous paint with plastic indicator, used for calculating true air speed.

Historical information

Standard crew issue for pilots and flight engineers

Significance

Equipment supplied crew with a computer to calculate true airspeed.

Inscriptions & Markings

COMPUTER. TRUE AIRSPEED. A.C. TYPE G-1 A list of 4 instructions for use. Spec. No. 27367-A, MFG.DWG. No. 42D531, Order No.42-18049-P GENERAL LUMINESCENT CORPORATION, CHICAGO

Historical information

The Liberator Pilot's Notes was issued for the information and guidance of all concerned.

Sperry Ball Turret B-24 Liberator, meant for ventral defence needs on aircraft. Also used on B-17 Flying Fortress.

Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book.

Historical information

Flt.Lt.M.D.Frecker qualified as a pilot on B-24 Liberator aircraft, May 1944

Inscriptions & Markings

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE. FLYING LOG BOOK . FORM A.18.(Revised April 1937) (R.A.F. Form 414.)

Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book

Historical information

F/LT. C.T. Lister qualified as a pilot.on B-24 Liberator aircraft April 1944

Inscriptions & Markings

Form A.18. (Revised April 1937.) (B.A.F. Form 414.) Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book Lister

A multi-coloured, contoured, double-sided map printed on acetate rayon

Historical information

Silk and rayon maps were produced by the United States (c. 7.5 million in total), Great Britain (some 1.75 million in total) and Australia during World War II. They were issued to Allied military personnel as part of 'escape and evasion' kits.

Significance

This map, printed on acetate rayon, is an original US 'escape and evasion' kit map from World War II.

Inscriptions & Markings

AAF Cloth Chart Side 1 - No. C-47 South Borneo Side 2 - No. C.48 West Java

Loop Antenna for radio compass S.C.R. 269 and AN.ARN7 widely fitted to US Military Aircraft in WWII.

Inscriptions & Markings

Loop used on B-24 Liberator

Worn dark suitcase belonging to Mason Day Frekker, strong cardboard covered with 'leatherette', metal fasteners on front, with carry handle. Suitcase contains Flying Log Book RAAF, Wedding Photo, National Archives Record Search Mason Day Frecker, Distinguished Flying Medal Register WW2 x 3, Papers on Medals and Victorian Ground Crew Numbers, Files 1 - 2 - 3 - Photographs, Leaflets, Pilots' Notes, Maps - Germany (28 maps), Buttons and badges and other medals.

Historical information

Suitcase issued to aircraft captains or crew by RAAF during World War II. The contents of M D Frecker's suitcase include World War II medals awarded to the owner, photographs, maps, pilots' handbooks, language dictionaries (Malay, Pidgin, Japanese), propaganda leaflets dropped by Japanese.

Significance

Has historical and social significance, also research significance. Provenance known, owner piloted B-24 Liberator bombers and General Blamey's personal aircraft; item was donated by son. Great interpretive potential.

Inscriptions & Markings

"RAAF/402653/Frecker/M.D." on top surface, "M.D.F." on front surface under handle.

2 Circular plastic manual computing discs with black print on a white background with areas for calculating Centre of gravity, Armament, Bomb loadings,Fuel, oil,Crew, Miscel., Oxygen and Camera. Clear plastic protractor with string attached. Enclosed in a leather envelope.

Historical information

Standard crew issue for pilots and flight engineers.

Significance

The equipment supplied air crew with a computer to calculate individual aircraft's weight and balance.

Inscriptions & Markings

GRAVISCOPE FOR LIBERATOR. MODEL B24J, L AND M. MANUFACTURED BY MELB. >W&G< AUST. R.A.A.F IDENT NO G6B/2396

Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book

Historical information

Sgt. R.Bryson qualified as a Flight Engineer on B24 Liberator.on 16/Aug.1944

Inscriptions & Markings

Form 1767 Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Navigators Air Bombers Air Gunners Flight Engineers. Robert Bryson