Hi Guys,
Firstly I’d like to say what a great site this is, I only had it pointed out to me after a reply for a question I had asked on another forum.
below is the question I have regarding an old brass RAF clock.
About 20 years ago I was given an old brass clock by a WWII veteran of the 6th parachute regiment.
The story was it belonged to his sister who was at the time (1940) dating an RAF fighter pilot, he apparently gave her the clock. but sadly this man was killed in action some time later.
Anyway Denis recieved the clock in the 70’s when his sister passed away, but unfortunately he has no information about the Pilot who owned the clock or for what the clock presentation was about.
All I know is he must have been close to London as he could get over to her house reasonably quickly when leave was granted.
If you look at the pictures its a Brass frame in the shape of pilots wings (10 – 12 inches across) with crown above and RAF initials in a reef below the clock face, with a Smith aircraft clock (I’m told its the sort used in Ansons and other medium twin engined planes etc) mounted in the middle.
But the really interesting thing is the date inscribed on the back 11-7-40 (the early stages of the BoB).
My question is, is this an official RAF presentation or simply trenchart? if its trenchart then the workmenship is brilliant.
Has anybody else ever seen one of these clocks? I have asked various people over the years here in Australia with most thinking along the lines of trenchart, but the more I think about it and look at the workmanship involed I’m starting to think it may be some sort of official issue.
Was it when he got his wings?, shot down his first EA? post to an operational Squadron? comments anybody?
regards Rob.
PS the clock still works perfectly, but I seldom wind it now.
By: Der - 16th February 2008 at 10:22
Site you might want to have a look at www.aeroclocks.com
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th February 2008 at 00:25
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the welcome and the feed back.
The maker of the clock is Smith, just behind the big hand at the top of the face it has the words 8 Days printed.
Good thoughts re the winder, it is indeed the winder you can see, so your thoughts about it not being an aircraft clock are probably correct (now I think about it I dont know why I didnt think of that :rolleyes: )
other than the inscrition of the date the only other markings in the brass bass or clock itself are the smith brand mark on the back of the clock.
I’ll post over at the suggested sites and see how I go, its seems I may be back to trench art after all for its origin.
I wish Denis’s memory was a bit better, but hey he’s almost 90 I guess I cant ask to much. but it would be nice to know its history.
thanks again regards Rob.
By: vulcan558 - 15th February 2008 at 22:18
Seen one the same or very much the same , about 4-5 years back in one of the antique shops in Horncastle Lincs . the wife spends a day looking around those shops when ever we are in that area.
By: exmpa - 15th February 2008 at 13:31
You may wish to start by obtaining a copy of Smiths Domestic Clocks. Or you could try posting a question on the NAWCC Message Board. Don’t be put off by the fact that it is an American board, quite a few brits post on it and Smith do have a quite a wide following.
exmpa
By: stuart gowans - 15th February 2008 at 12:09
Possibly the key to this, (if you’ll pardon the pun) is the actuall movement; if a maker can be established or else a date (for the movement), you would be able to tell whether it was made as a whole piece, or else the brass suround is a later addition, this in turn might give you an idea of the rank/seniority of the pilot; to make the whole piece including a new clock would have been quite expensive.
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th February 2008 at 11:44
It doesn’t look like an aircraft clock.
Is that the winder just visible on the fourth photo? If so, it means access to the back of the clock is routinely necessary, and this isn’t easy on an aeroplane where clocks tend to be mounted in the dashboard from the rear.
Some car clocks solved the problem by having the movement hinged on the front face, allowing access to the rear but this one does not seem to have that feature.
Just another idle thought. If it was intended as a presentation clock, perhaps to mark someone’s retirement, then it would surely have an inscription, i.e. “to X, from the lads”, etc.
By: Cees Broere - 15th February 2008 at 11:23
A clock for on the mantle piece in the officers mess?
Just an idea
Cees
By: DeanK - 15th February 2008 at 11:01
Welcome to the forum Capt. Winters.
I must say what a wonderful piece that is. Now I’m certainly no expert and could be completely wrong here, but, to me, that doesn’t really look like an aircraft clock. Are there any identifying marks stamped on the back of the clock itself, such as the King’s Crown, Air Ministry mark and a serial number? I can’t see the photos on the other forum – you need to be a member to view them.
Unfortunately I can’t answer your original question, but I’m sure somebody on here will be able to.
Dean.
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th February 2008 at 03:31
Hmm pictures didnt attach,
try again.
this is the link to my original post, with larger pictures.
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=63019
regards Rob.
Sign In
February 15, 2008 at 3:21 am