AM Boxed RAF Mk V111 Goggles with History

An excellent pair of wartime Mk. V111 Goggles complete with their original A.M. marked box and spare tinted lenses.

These were acquired on Vancouver Island indirectly from the family of Douglas Crowe, a Lancaster Mid Upper Gunner with the RCAF who, after the cessation of hostilities, took part in relief drops into Europe.

“My dad was a Sgt in the RCAF during his operational tour. He flew as a mid-upper gunner in 626 Sqn flying Lancasters out of Wickenby between September 1944 and January 1945 when he bailed out over France and the aircraft crashed. Most of his missions including the final unsuccessful mission were flown in Lancaster S2 LL961."

Took off 1844 7 Jan 1944 from Wickenby. Outbound collided with a 150 Sqdn Lancaster and abandoned just to the S of Laon (Aisne). The Pilot and one Air Gunner lost their lives  whilst the remainder of the crew, including Douglas Crowe survived.

The Goggles themselves are very good, the clear lenses with minimal delamination, the leather soft and the strap retaining it’s elasticity. The tinted lenses are again very good as is the card box.

Rather difficult to find now in this condition and particularly so with such history.