WW1 RAF Flying goggles in Afghanistan?

[deejay]

Hi all,

as I am now stationed in Kabul, in Afghanistan for a few months, I was surprised to find some nice goodies on the flea market here. For example I found these (for € 22,-) Can you give me some information on these goggles as they are not actually my field of collecting but they are interesting, how did they get here?


Thanks,

DJ

[RoyA]

They are definitely not WWI vintage...perhaps WWII.
AM stands for Air Ministry.

Hi all,

as I am now stationed in Kabul, in Afghanistan for a few months, I was surprised to find some nice goodies on the flea market here. For example I found these (for € 22,-) Can you give me some information on these goggles as they are not actually my field of collecting but they are interesting, how did they get here?


Thanks,

DJ

[deejay]

image 2

[yellow]

Pair of MK IV flying goggles. Missing the flip down sun screens and many other parts. As used in the Battle of Britian. Probably brought into the frontier from India by the RAF.

Good luck hunting for WW1 items. My Great Uncle was there in 1919 with the Machine Gun Corps Cavalry.

Steve.

[deejay]

image 3


Thanks for the replies so far, there is lots more to get still (WW1 & 2 also russian).

Yellow: There are lots of stars (like the one top right) for sale and cheap and without ribbon mostly. Anything to look out for?

[blinky]

Deejay

Could you keep an eye open for me for a Afghan/German M-16 helmet with the side badge or a loose side badge for me please

Eric

[yellow]

Well if I were you I would buy any medals or badges you see on these markets. They are small and compact and easy to sell on when your back home.

If there werent any of those I`d look for WW1 British leather and fibre webbing (had to be WW1 though). Cartridge pouches and the like. Also good quality British made Kukhris for the Gurkhas operating in that area.........any period.

If weight wasnt an issue anything for the Vickers machine gun!

The goggles you have bought are good, perhaps someone in the UK would restore them. Anything in good condition is always a bonus.

Good Luck,

Steve.

P.S. Those stars are WW2 issue medals. Do they have names impressed on the back.......Indian sounding names per chance? If they are really cheap just buy all of those........if the price is high I suggest you come back to the forum and quote the impressions on the reverse. We should be able to help you with Indian Army ranks and units.

[Tod Rathbone]

WWII RAF MK VII Goggles

Hi,

Slight correction on the goggle ID. Those are British Mark VII, (not MK IV) as previously stated. They are of the same rigid design except the MK VIIs were more of the standard and more modern eye goggle design vs. the more complete mask design of the MKIV. They were issued in a solid blue color which has worn off and left the brass. They had a spring loaded single leather strap that had a friction belt adjustment in the back. That has all worn away leaving an old elastic strap as a replacement. The face pads seem to have worn away and there was originally a leather nose guard flap in the middle which is gone. The glass is in good shape considering. These could be fitted with a flipdown sunshield in the center but those rarely appeared installed.

In my opinion, these were not comfortable or practical goggles. The MKIII's with their big uninterupted field of vision, comfortable and flexible leather frames and unbreakable plastic lenses seemed like a much better idea. And the fact they were worn so late in to the war shows that the pilots agreed. I think the MK VIIIs, which became the defacto British goggles until Jet helmets came of age were a quick improvement to fix what was wrong with the MKVIIs.

Cheers,

Tod

[Jean-Loup]

I can just picture a taliban driving around in the back of a pick up with these on.

JL

[leigh kitchen]

Deejay

Could you keep an eye open for me for a Afghan/German M-16 helmet with the side badge or a loose side badge for me please

Eric

Same here please - seen a few for sale lately but they did'nt have the badges.

[deejay]

Thank you again for all the comments on the goggles and medals, I can´t wait for sunday to see what they bring next.
I have bought this helmet shell and there are lots more, still bearing the originall german paint and stamps but so far without this badge or liner, can somebody show me what badge to look for so I can perhaps searchfor one here.
thanks,

DJ

[leigh kitchen]

Have'nt got a photo of the badge. but depending on the price you could do well to stock up on those.

Are you taking orders?
I'll have the best condition you can find please - depending on price.........

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Deejay, looks like you have found some interesting items. Like Leigh says try and stock up on these helmets if you can find more in this condition at the right price .

Take care and keep safe.

Cheers, Ade.

[deejay]

Hi Ade,

glad to see you also found your way to my thread, lots of russian stuff here too. What do you make of the CA boards all unused and still bound together? Lots more where they came from. As some have stated, I think I will do some litte investing here and get things shipped out of here. I will get some more pictures of the markets and other interesting things.

DJ

[deejay]

Anybody fancy a T-62?

This picture was taken this afternoon on the outskirts of Kabul, (me on the right) it´s a graveyard of old russian vehicles. Amazing to see so many armoured cars and tanks, all for free!