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LOT 3586
World War I German
Aircraft Fabric - The
cross insignia used by
the Luftstreitkraefte
of Imperial Germany
in World War I is
prominently featured
on this cut-away
segment of German
aircraft fabric. The
fabric also displays
the iconic lozenge
camouflage pattern.
The fabric is noted as
coming off one of the
finest fighter aircraft
of World War II, the
Fokker D.VII. The D.VII
first appeared over
the Western Front in
April 1918 and quickly
became a feared and respected opponent by the Allies. Although the fighter had a short service
life, D.VII pilots are credited with shooting down 565 enemy aircraft. Several German aces, including future Chief of the Luftwaffe Herman Goring, flew the D.VII. The fabric is in a 35 1/2 x 33 3/4 inch double sided frame.
CONDITION: Fine with a tear at the bottom and retaining most of the cross insignia. An iconic war trophy from the Great
War that is a must
have for any
early military
aviation collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 3588
World War II Luftwaffe LKpN101 Summer Flight Helmet - The famous/infamous LKpN101 summer
flight helmet was
very popular
with German
fighter and
bomber pilots
throughout
World War II. This
net top or mesh lightweight flight
helmet was designed without a chinstrap, which provided greater comfort for the wearer. It has leather receiver cups with receiver, and a leather and bakelite throat microphone
unit. The data label
has the “bxo” code for Deutsche Telephonwerke
und Kabelindustrie. The throat mic is marked “Mi4b,”“bxo” and “Ln26779-3.” The plug is marked “BLK v F 127560.” CONDITION: Very fine, displaying some typical
wear to the fleece
limning and some flex
wear to the leather
receiver cups. The
data label is clear. An attractive World War
II Luftwaffe summer
flight helmet.
Provenance: The
Putnam Green/
Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3589
Historic
World War I
Era German
Flight Helmet
Attributed to an
Aviation Pioneer - A
classic World War I era
German leather flight
helmet with goggles.
Purportedly the flight gear
was owned by German pilot
Sergeant First Class Richard Kohnke. An enlisted observer and pilot in World War I, Kohnke served most of the war on the Eastern Front and the Middle East, with a brief stay on the Western Front. He was wounded in the air twice while serving in Palestine, once from being scalded by a radiator ruptured by ground fire, the second by taking ground
fire to both legs. Between the wars he was active in sport aviation and parachuting. In fact, Kohnke is known as the father of German parachuting. In Germany in 1930, Kohnke set a record jump from 7,800 meters with a free fall time
of 142 seconds. During World War II he was involved in the manufacture of parachutes for the Luftwaffe at his
factory in Ziegelhausen.
CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic wear with a couple small tears at the chin strap and an absent snap. A vintage leather flight helmet with great character. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 3587
Attractive World War I Era Lang Propeller Company Wooden Propeller - This wooden propeller is of laminated construction with the central hub plate intact and bolted on to the propeller itself. The whole of the wooden surface has an attractive brown varnish applied with the blade tips sheathed in brass which is attached with rivets. The left blade is stamped “SC4372”. The hub stamps are only partially legible with “100 H P GNOME LANG PROPELLER” legible before it is covered by the hub. The right side is stamped “2297” and “U/S/A/88” with the Lang Propeller Company decal on the blade itself. This propeller would have originally been used with the Gnome Monosoupape B-2 rotary engine and measures 92 inches. This engine was popular during World War I because of its increased reliability compared to other offerings of the time. British aviation pioneer Thomas Sopwith famously said the invention of the Monosoupape engine was the largest advancement in the field of aviation.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 97% of the varnish with some dings and dents from use as well as a small chip on the trailing edge of the right blade. The hub plate is covered in a mostly dark oxidation, and the brass blade tips have an attractive patina. This would make an excellent addition to any World War I collection!
314 Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000