What Is It ? (1)

[K4KittyCrew]

Found on ebay,

What is this ??????????


If your not sure of the answer and you must know, have a look at .............http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WW2-RAF-1941-Patt ... 2eb3010830

John

[gate1]

Yep, a 'floating torch'. These were the second pattern, and comprised a battery tube (the blue bit) and a wooden section with a small bulb on top. They were housed in a pocket on the Tailor Suit and '41 Pattern Mae West just under the right arm. If an airman ditched (and he was in a coherent state) he would take out the battery tube, twist and lock the base, which would turn on the bulb, and then let out the wooden bit which floated. If he was lucky, as it got dark, the light from the bulb would be seen and so would he.

[Ludford101]

Not a bad price either as they are getting harder and harder to find in good condtion .... may I enquire what the first type pattern looks like...
cheers Gary

[gate1]

A friend of mine had one for sale but I decided against it, not being sure if it really was 1st pattern. Then I saw one in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum. From memory, it certainly has a thinner battery section, and I think a smaller wooden section. I have also seen two with the bulb mounted directly on the battery section.

[K4KittyCrew]

Here is another one I found on the Great Britain ebay site. Photo may be a bit blurry.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAF-WW2-1941-patt ... 3a631a86ae
John

[gate1]

Thanks for sticking that up John. A very nice and near complete set of items for the standard Mae west used from 1941 onwards.