Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Mahogany Propeller Blade depicting Albert Ball, V.C.
Adapted to become a particularly fine piece of decorative art, with a central painting depicting a successful ‘dog fight’ between Nieuport Bullets, Nieuport Biplanes and German biplanes (with two of the latter going down in flames), the overall image surrounded by the wording ‘A Flight - 1916 No. 60 squadron. Izel-le-Hameau. Over the Front - Aug. 1916’ in gold lettering, with the initials ‘L.M.’ also in gold lettering, and two German Crosses to one side of image and a large R.F.C. Badge to the other side. Mounted with a hanging chain to reverse, approximately 112 cm in length, and 2.5 kg in weight, general condition of painted surfaces good, wood with some cracking commensurate to age and original use £1,800-£2,200

60 Squadron was formed at Gosport, 30 April 1916, and was despatched to France 25 days later. The Squadron had been based near the front for the Battle of the Somme and, after suffering heavy losses during the Battle of the Somme and a spell at St Andre to recuparate, the squadron was re-equipped with Nieuport Scouts and soon acquired a first-class reputation. Amongst its pilots was one Lieutenant Albert Ball, V.C., D.S.O. and 2 Bars, M.C. - and it is a depiction of him in combat that this painting is believed to be. A confirmed member of ‘A’ Flight, 60 Squadron, Ball is recorded as the only 60 Squadron pilot to have shot down two or more enemy aircraft out of control/destroyed in a single ‘dog-fight’ for August 1916 - indeed, the information contained in the Squadron History by Group Captain A. J. L. Scott, C.B., M.C., A.F.C. would suggest that the combat depicted is likely to be when Ball shot down three Roland C11s all in the Bapaume area on 25 August 1916.

Sold with a copy of Sixty Squadron R.A.F. 1916-1919, by Group Captain A. J. L. Scott, C.B., M.C., A.F.C.

Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand delivered within mainland Britain by prior arrangement.