NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2016 Mar 17 @ 10:30UTC-4 : AST/EDT
COMBAT FLOWN R.A.F. UNIFORM AND FLYING MANUAL OF "ACE" AND D.F.C. RECIPIENT WALTER BEAUMONT, K.I.A. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
A rare and important grouping, the uniform of R.A.F. Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot and "ace", Pilot Officer Walter Beaumont D.F.C., along with his personal R.A.F. flying manual. Beaumont would lose his life defending his country during the Battle of Britain. The group includes Beaumont's R.A.F. tunic with belt, matching pants, identified R.A.F. "crusher" visor cap, and zip-up black leather ankle boots, with later blue shirt and clip-on black tie included for display purposes. Beaumont's tunic, an early version, bears flat service-issue wings with "VR" ("Volunteer Reserves") insignia and cloth R.A.F. wings on the left breast. The lighter-colored fabric, large bottom pockets and "first aid" pocket mark this as an early tunic. An interior breast pocket bears the tailor's label of: "Alkit Ltd. Outfitters London" with Beaumont's name, jacket size, order number, and date of issue:"11/39". Cuffs bear the single stripe indicative of rank. Within, the cotton lining, also indicative of an early tunic, is worn at the armpits commensurate with use. The tunic belt is also present, although it appears that Beaumont opted for an inner hook and eye system. Beaumont's use of an inner belt was intended to prevent an exterior belt from hanging-up on a parachute harness or restraining belts in flight. That fact, coupled with two small areas of wear on the front of the tunic possibly caused by a parachute quick-release buckle, make a good case for this tunic having been worn in flight. The matching blue uniform trousers show the same amount of wear, and are also very good. Also present is Beaumont's wool R.A.F. officer's visor cap with ornate gold bullion with red satin and gold eagle insignia, with his name affixed to the leather sweatband within. Finally, included is Beaumont's signed copy of the: "Royal Air Force Flying Training Manual Part I Flying Instruction" [London: Air Ministry (His Majesty's Stationery Office)], 1935. approx. 250pp. 8vo., illustrated. The front cover bears an aged piece of paper upon which Beamont affixed his name. Provenance: From the collection of the late Malcolm Smith, the long-time assistant secretary to the Battle of Britain Association; The War Museum. Walter Beaumont was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in 1919 and from January 1937 was a member of the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserves. Called up on Sep. 1, 1939, he completed his training and joined 152 Squadron early in 1940. On Aug. 12 Beaumont shared a Bf 109 and damaged two Ju 88s, on the 16th he claimed two Bf 109s destroyed, on the 18th two Ju 87s and a shared Bf 109, on the 22nd a Ju 88 shot down, on the 25th another Bf 109 and on the 27th he shared in the destruction of a He 111. On this day Beaumont was hit by return fire from a Ju 88 and baled out safely. On Sep. 23, 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, Beaumont failed to return from an operational sortie. His Spitfire, R 7016, is believed to have crashed into the Channel, cause unknown. Beaumont, 26 years old, was posthumously awarded the D.F.C. Oct. 22, 1940. Provenance: the collection of the late Malcolm Smith, the long-time assistant secretary to the Battle of Britain Association; The War Museum, New York.
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