Rare W.W.I. Pilot's Heated Suit Switch Box. c.1918 (Chris Balm Early Aviation & Motoring Items)

Rare W.W.I. Pilot's Heated Suit Switch Box. c.1918

SOLD

Rare W.W.I. Pilot's Heated Suit Switch Box. c.1918

W.W.I. Aircraft Insruments

Rare switch box taken from the cockpit of a W.W.I. Royal Flying Corps aircraft.

This set of switches was used to control the early heated "Sidcot" flying suit as well as heated gloves and boots. The "Sidcot" electrically heated suit was designed by Sidney Cotton in 1918 and was powered by the new Lucas propeller driven generator. This switch box is built into a nicely made wooden case with a metal fascia and has three metal switches (Body, Hands Feet). It bears the inscription, "Aeroplane Switchbox Heating System - Made By Joseph Lucas Ltd., Birmingham (England)". Stamped into the wooden casing are full British Military Markings : War Department Arrow above the letter "A" (Royal Flying Corps Aviation mark), "A I D - 12 D" (Aeronautical Inspection Directorate mark)

. See picture above for a larger version of this switch box mounted in place in a cockpit. Dimensions (not including switches) : 133mm x 76mm x 45mm. Good condition.

A scarce and interesting piece of Great War aeronautica.

Inventory No. A-10

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