WW1 185th Aero Squadron Night Fighters

[manayunkman]

Here's something you don't see too often.

 

This soldier served as a mechanic and worked on Spads, Sopwith Camels and others.

 

There is a trench art box that he kept certain tools in, a pair of dog tags with just his name and serial number and a cast iron framed photo.

 

The 185th is the first night fighter squadron in US history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mhalstead1950]

Absolutely wonderful group, I really like the bat that he engraved on the tool box.

[skypilot6670]

Really nice. The box is top shelf. Photo and tags are the icing on the cake. Mike

[manayunkman]

Close up of the lid.

 

Note messy spelling correction.

 

 

[manayunkman]

Here is a close up of our nocturnal friend.

 

 

 

 

[manayunkman]

I meant to post this one.

 

 

[manayunkman]

Absolutely wonderful group, I really like the bat that he engraved on the tool box.

Thank you.

 

When I pulled off all the crap sitting on top of the box and first saw it, it was the corner with the bat that was exposed.

 

I was hoping the box might be full and it was, with bank statements and used checkbooks, but on the bottom were the dog tags and some French post cards.

[manayunkman]

Really nice. The box is top shelf. Photo and tags are the icing on the cake. Mike

Mike,

 

I like the way you think, thanks.

[manayunkman]

The box itself is all handmade from aluminum and rivited together.

 

Here is a picture of the front latch.

 

 

 

[manayunkman]

I know planes in those days were made of fabric so why the aluminum?

 

And was there a rivet gun on hand?

 

A look at the backside.

[manayunkman]

A look at the details.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bluehawk]

I know planes in those days were made of fabric so why the aluminum?

 

And was there a rivet gun on hand?

 

A look at the backside.

That box is wonderful...

 

Could it have been that it was a "garage build" many years after the War?

 

Rivet compression tools have been around a really long time, and these rivets seem to have been hammered?

[manayunkman]

You may be right about being post war built Blue-hawk.

 

Thanks for your input.

[dave peifer]

looks like your back in form,picking up good stuff...................dave

[manayunkman]

It's a whole different landscape out there that requires a much larger net.

 

Good to hear from you Dave.

[manayunkman]

Here is a picture of the inside of the box and 2 types of rivets.

 

 

[manayunkman]

The cast iron frame with the photo under glass.

 

 

[manayunkman]

A close up of the mechanic.

 

 

[manayunkman]

The photo has suffered from water damage due to the house loosing part of its roof.

 

 

[manayunkman]

BTT

[Dirk]

Missed this the first time around....great item!

[manayunkman]

Thanks Dirk.

 

I love the little bat and interesting hinges.