Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i Military Trader

Spitfire, pilot lost in fatal crash CONINGSBY, England — A Supermarine Spitfire is a sight to see on the ground or in the air. Yet, there is one fewer to be seen after a Spitfire went down in Lincolnshire near Royal Air Force (RAF) Coningsby in May in advance of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The World War II-era craft crashed near the Coningsby base, which is about 150 miles north of London, killing RAF Squadron Leader Mark Long. An active Eurofighter Typhoon pilot, the 41-year-old Long also served with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for four years. Following the tragic incident, the RAF grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight temporarily in order to conduct an investigation into the crash. The World War II warbirds are…

After the end of Second World War in 1945, the various Allied nations commemorated their victories in the different theaters of fighting by creating medals for those who fought in those campaigns. The British created a series of eight “Stars”, including the Burma Star, Pacific Star and 1939-45 Star, and other honors for the Italy and the France-Germany theaters. The United States also created individual campaign medals, each named for the theater of operations, including the Asiatic-Pacific, European and African-Middle East medals. France had endured more than four years of German occupation, but many of its soldiers escaped and fought as Free French serving in North Africa, at sea and as pilots. To honor those who had continued to fight, France followed its traditional path and on May 21, 1946…

MILITARY COLLECTOR SHOWS Jul 13 FL, Orlando/Mt Dora. Florida Military Collectors Show. 9am-3pm Renninger’s Antique Centert. Greg 407-462-2163, qed4@aol.com Jul 13-14 PA, Allentown. The Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society, Inc. Antique and Modern Arms & Militaria Show. Agricultural Hall. 9am-4pm, Sun. 9am-1pm. 610-438-9006, www.allentownshow.net Jul 14 PA, Chichester. Military Collector and Re-Enactor Flea Market. Upper Chichester Community Center, 8am-1pm, Ken Tanner 610-592-7487 Jul 14 IL, New Lenox. Midwest Militaria Military History & Collectibles Show. V.F.W. Post 9545 - 323 Old Hickory Road. Setup 8-9am, public 9am-1pm. Paul 815-641-6411, Bob 708-598-4156 Jul 19-20 OH, North Canton. 2024 ASMC Military Show. MAPS Air Museum - 22260 International Parkway. Dennis Adams 317-513-1155, hardstripe1@comcast.net. www.asmic.org Jul 19-20 GA, Marietta. Atlanta International Military & Antique Gun Collectors Show. IAMAW Local 709 Union Hall -…

There is often surprise expressed on various forums and collector groups when someone presents medals, uniforms, or other items that were sold by a family. Perhaps it’s Grandpa’s helmet, or Uncle Charlie’s medals, or some of Dad’s stuff from his “Army days” — but the response is “I’d never sell my grandfather’s items, I will cherish them forever.” Yeah, but the first thing to remember is that maybe that individual didn’t even think too highly of them, and we should forgive the grandkids for not caring so much. It isn’t a lack of respect for history or even the service of their deceased relative. Isn’t it better that these items go to someone who will appreciate them, rather than being buried in the attic or basement? Imagine whenever a relative…

Rust Never Sleeps When moisture gets on most ferrous metals, such as tools or vehicle parts, the result is an oxidation process… or simply, rust. Serious rust with scale often requires heavy-duty methods to remove, such as power wire brushing or sand-blasting, and even then the tool or part may have pitting, which can leave it weakened at worst or cosmetically damaged at best. However, surface rust can often be removed with ordinary household products. Be aware that none of these methods will remove grease, oil or caked-on dirt, so the items must be cleaned first. Baking Soda: Rinse the item with water and shake off the excess. Dust it with baking soda, which will stick to the dampness, making sure to cover all rusty areas. Leave the item for…

I remember how in my childhood we would spend the winter evenings gathered in the kitchen of the family home because that was the warmest place in the house. That was back in the 1950s when there was no continuous 24-hour television broadcast and listening to family stories was part of our entertainment. Some were no more than silly events from the past and the adults reminiscing on their school days. This was on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands, the only British territory to be occupied by German forces during WWII. My family rarely spoke about those days of hardship and uncertainty. Living near the harbor of St Helier, the principle town on the island, my grandfather earned a living as a fisherman. Some of the stories…

When German inventor Karl von Drais invented the “Swiftwalker”, a pedal-less wooden-framed two-wheeled device in 1817, wealthy members of his community quickly took notice and vied for like machines of their own. In 1853, Philipp Moritz Fischer upgraded the Swiftwalker design by developing the first pedal-driven model, enhancing the speed and effort needed to go down city streets and country lanes. This was soon followed in 1863 by the French-manufactured, commercially successful “Velocipede” (also known as the “Boneshaker” due to its hard wheels and punishing ride). As multiple companies continued to improve on the original ideas and prices became more affordable, more people across Germany and the rest of Europe took to two wheels as an easier way of traveling than on foot. Through the turn of the century, bicycles…