Sonderbefehls

It could even be: L.B.A. S 1940??

I think it's 1940 Richard, when you look at it closely, you can see bits of the "40". I believe "19" can very, very slightly, be made out??

I have been told yellow is for "flight over sea", if a plane was ditched in the sea, the yelow cap would be seen by a rescue plane/boat. The red side, is for tropical operations, and again, being seen against desert back drop from the air. It was designed to fit around the ear and neck microphones. Whether these were popular with aircrews or of any actual use, I have no idea. It does seem that the caps were worn earlier in the war, then discontinued. I don't have any idea where these caps were carried or stored.. I'm delighted to finally get to own, one of these rare caps.

I also think that it comes as a "one size" cap, fitting all the flight helmets. I thought this cap would need stretching to fit the flight helmet, but it fitted quite easily. In fact, it's baggy in some places, meaning it could fit a bigger size helmet.

It's a six part construction, made of a light denim style material. The four clips resemble scissors, with the ends bent inwards. I think the yellow side would have been much brighter, this cap is very faded. The stamps is I believe L.B.A. 1940 (?)

After many a year, I finally "found" a item that I have always wanted: The Luftwaffe "survival at sea" skull cap. This cap was worn over the flight helmet via four little clips. It came as a reversible cap, yellow on one side and red on the other.

Any ideas/thoughts on this panel, that came from possibly Russia, would be greatly appreciated.

I've always loved the "then & now" pictures. Bayda, you have a amazing talent! Thanks for showing these pictures.

Earning it's keep... as a bird feeder.

Draw string and camouflage band now added.

Here it is now...

Both Eagles now resprayed and mounted on their marble towers. Delighted to have finally finished them and to have given them a new lease of life.

Cheers Justin.

The different colours are clearly shown here. The darker colour is nearer to what I believe is it's original shade. Some more work needed on it's feet and then I'll see what the final colour should be?

Started on the darker eagle now and have cut a few corners here and there. The dark paint is wrong and in some places it has started to peel off. Two of it's talons have broken off and there was a big crack on one of it's wings. Now sorted, although I still have to do some more work on it's feet. Gave it a good rub down all over, primered it up and give it a coat of gold paint.