0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today, we're surrounding ourselves with naval aviation history.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11World War II's most enduring campaign was fought at sea,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14because of the huge developments in engineering and design.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16It was the first time planes were deployed from carriers
0:00:16 > 0:00:19on such a scale.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23But it tragically resulted in the loss of over 60,000 lives.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's 70 years since the Battle of the Atlantic
0:00:28 > 0:00:30and the generation who fought in that war
0:00:30 > 0:00:33will always be remembered for their bravery.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35We're at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38where naval aviation history is brought to life.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Welcome to Flog It!
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Here, at the Fleet Air Arm Museum,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07there's a wealth of naval aviation history, stretching over 100 years.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11What you see on display is only a fraction of the collection,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14which is housed in giant hangars.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Aircraft are stored on site,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20so that they can be brought out for the constantly changing exhibitions.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Every aeroplane or helicopter you see will have a story to tell.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28These military aircraft, designed to launch from ships,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31have all seen action over the course of the past century.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Well, let's hope there's lots of action here, today,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37when this lot step inside with their antiques and collectables.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And we've our very own commanding officers of the antiques world
0:01:41 > 0:01:44navigating their way through today's valuations.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Always one to steer a clear course, Charlie Ross.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Not often you find a refugee in the queue!
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And a man not so in command of his antiques knowledge right now,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Thomas Plant.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58You see, I don't know the actual structure of vulcanite...
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- I thought you were the expert! - Well...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- It's a gas mask.- Oh! Look at that.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Our "Flog It!" crowd have descended upon the Fleet Air Arm Museum
0:02:08 > 0:02:10from across the county today,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13to get their antiques and collectables valued by our experts,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17who will be working hard, both on screen and off
0:02:17 > 0:02:19to offer up their expertise.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Coming up in today's show, we've two items from our aviation history
0:02:25 > 0:02:27and with the help of the museum,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30we discover some ground-breaking new information about one of them.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Well, now that our "Flog It!" fleet is in position,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37let us go down there and catch up with our experts
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and see what we can find to take off to auction.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42It's over to local West Country boy, Thomas Plant,
0:02:42 > 0:02:47who is sat beneath the first British-built Concorde.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- So, it's Chris?- It is, yes. - And Linda?- It is.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- And you're fellow Bristolians.- Yes. - Correct.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57We're like the Three Musketeers from Bristol.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00So, why have you come to Yeovil from Bristol?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Because we thought it was the ideal place to come
0:03:02 > 0:03:04with these particular items.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- We're looking at these aeroplane timepieces.- Yeah.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Tell me, how did you come by them?
0:03:12 > 0:03:14My father, during all his career,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17worked at Filton in the aircraft industry,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21mainly on the engine side, but, during the war,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24he was able to purchase these from the company,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28because when the aeroplanes were brought in, they were refurbished,
0:03:28 > 0:03:29bits and pieces were taken out.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33But your father used them as a clock beside his bed,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- because they lit up in the night. - The luminous hands.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Yes. So, he used it as his bedside clock.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45What was your father's involvement within Filton?
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- Was he a repairer, an engineer? - He was a toolmaker.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Did you follow him into the business?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53I worked there during all my career.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58- Within Filton?- Not within Filton, the last ten years within Filton.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01So you never saw this being built in Filton? The wings were built there.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07I was responsible for building wings on the A400M military aircraft.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11But your father, he was a protected occupation.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15How did he feel about that, did he ever talk about that?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17He didn't talk a lot about it,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- because he worked on a lot of secret stuff.- Did he?- During the war.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22So, these could have come off a secret plane?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24I wouldn't think so!
0:04:24 > 0:04:26We could romanticise!
0:04:26 > 0:04:28One is slightly earlier than the other,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- the bigger one is earlier.- Is it? - It will be earlier.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35The design is very similar with the luminous hands,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39this one is made by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths company.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- It's made by the same company. - Yes, they both have AM
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- on the back, don't they?- Yeah. - Air Ministry.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- Yeah.- And the George VI crown.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- So, the King's crown on there.- Yeah.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55So, they're all fully marked up and the provenance
0:04:55 > 0:04:59is second to none, coming straight from your father.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Did they keep good time?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03They used to and one of them does still work.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- I don't think they're broken... - They're still ticking.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08They haven't been used for such a long time.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- He did wind them up, just now.- Yeah.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Are you going to be sad to let these go?
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Erm, not really, no. They're no sentimental value.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Erm, as I said, I thought it was a very interesting place to bring it.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25We have two daughters with no interest in it, whatsoever.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I think, if we put these in together
0:05:27 > 0:05:31as two aircraft war issue timepieces,
0:05:31 > 0:05:36I would suggest an estimate of 120 to 180 on them.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- OK.- Is that all right?- Yeah, that's fine.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Put a discretionary reserve on it at 120,
0:05:41 > 0:05:42so we'll see you at the auction, yeah?
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- Lovely.- Yes.- Thank you very much. - OK, thank you.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Two quirky little clocks from our aviation history there.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Now, is it time for tea at Charlie's table?
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I bet you've never used this!
0:05:53 > 0:05:56No, I haven't. It's been in a cardboard box for about 30 years.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- In a cardboard box for 30 years? - In the attic.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Was it a present? - It was my father's.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04When Father died, we cleared the house out,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06put it in a box, forgot all about it!
0:06:06 > 0:06:07CHARLIE LAUGHS
0:06:07 > 0:06:10What made you remember you had it? Flog It!?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12No, we cleared out some boxes the other day and I said,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- "Well, I'm going to get rid of that!"- Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17You don't want it, do you? You don't use it.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18- No.- Do you know what it is?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- No, I don't.- It's a bit of a mystery, this one, for me.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- You reckon?- Because of the spout.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25I looked at it and I thought, "Is this a teapot?"
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Certainly not a teapot.- No. - Is it a coffee pot?
0:06:29 > 0:06:30Not a coffee pot.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- And I wondered whether it was a hot water jug.- Or a chocolate pot.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Or a chocolate pot. Could well be a chocolate pot.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Chocolate pot isn't a bad suggestion,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40because I think with the spout at the bottom, you see,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42if you had hot chocolate,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46the only gubbins you'd have would be the skim on the top,
0:06:46 > 0:06:52so you'd not actually pour the skim if the spout started at the bottom.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Yeah.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55So, I think a chocolate pot isn't a bad idea.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59It's a very, very pleasing shape.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- It's made of silver, did you know that?- I was hoping, yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I saw the marking on it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's got a Britannia mark on it.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Do you know how old it is?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- No, I don't.- It's 1910.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- Is that right?- So, it's over 100 years old.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Is that right?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Because the lid is a separate piece of silver,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20it should have a hallmark on it itself.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So, if we lift up the lid...
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- and cast our eyes around it. - Have we got one?- There we go.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Can you see that?- Oh, yeah. - We've got a mark there.- Yeah.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Sometimes a lid goes missing or becomes damaged
0:07:34 > 0:07:36and somebody puts another lid on it
0:07:36 > 0:07:37and that would detract from the value.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41There are a couple of intriguing features, I love the handle.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- Yeah.- I think it's a fruitwood,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47it's probably apple or pear, something like that.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- It could be cherry, couldn't it? - Yeah, it could be cherrywood, yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52The monogram puzzles me, here.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55We seem to have got a C, have we?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58And an M, and a W, I can't tell you in what order they are.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- No, no.- It would be very difficult...
0:08:01 > 0:08:04And take huge amount of time to try and research something like that.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Do you think it's a regiment or not?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09No, I don't think it's regimental, I think that's a family crest.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Yeah.- Without a doubt.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14The thing that, sort of, threw me, other than what it might be
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and we think probably chocolate, is the weight of it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Oh, yeah.- When I picked it up, I thought, "Hello!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22"We've got some value here!"
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Yeah.- This is a serious gauged bit of silver
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and then I turned it upside down...
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Lead. Lots and lots of lead.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34That must have been put in when they were made, surely?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I think it was probably put in when it was made.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39I mean, it helps keep it upright and makes it much more secure.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Big question, what's it worth?
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I don't know, you tell me!
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- I think it's worth between £100 and £150.- Yeah.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Happy enough with that?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I'd have been happier if you told me it was one million!
0:08:53 > 0:08:55LAUGHTER
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I can buy some chocolate now, won't I?
0:09:05 > 0:09:08This has to be my favourite exhibit in the whole museum,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11the Sopwith Pup, a First World War biplane
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and for many people, it's considered the most perfect plane ever.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Now, it's a piece of sculpture, it's PRICELESS,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19absolutely priceless, but we have to remember,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21it's not all about the aircraft here,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25it's also about the brave men who took many risks
0:09:25 > 0:09:28flying these aircraft for their country.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32World War I was the first war fought from the air
0:09:32 > 0:09:36and only four years ago, its last veteran, Henry Allingham,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40the oldest ever survivor of the Royal Naval Air Force, died.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43He was 113 years old.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47And it was only after his death that Henry's grandsons
0:09:47 > 0:09:50found his medals at the bottom of his toolbox
0:09:50 > 0:09:52and here they are, look, two medals from the First World War,
0:09:52 > 0:09:57shown in the condition that Henry had left them,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59very much the attitude of a lot of soldiers
0:09:59 > 0:10:01who fought during the First World War.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02I think he wanted to bury them away,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05so he could bury his memories away as well.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07And like most of his contemporaries,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Henry had kept quiet about the horrific experiences of the war,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14only speaking out towards the end of his long life.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17I pay homage to those men.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Very much.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Can't help it.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26And the Fleet Air Museum feels it is important to honour
0:10:26 > 0:10:29the sentiments of Henry, and many of his generation,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33who were the first to fight a war from the air.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It's a wonderful tribute to such a brave man.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40On "Flog It!" we're fortunate enough to come across pieces
0:10:40 > 0:10:42relating to World War I relatively often.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44But it's very rare that we discover
0:10:44 > 0:10:48an item dating back to the 17th century English Civil War.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- So, Michael, where are you from? - Sherborne.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Sherborne, that's not very far away, is it?- No.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56About five miles.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59And we've got this sort of leatherette folder,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03this sort of Italian folio folder, which is probably 1930s.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05But there's something else inside -
0:11:05 > 0:11:07do you want to tell me what's inside here?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10A document, or a letter, from
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Thomas Fairfax, of the taking of Sherborne Castle.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Real local interest - and there it is!
0:11:16 > 0:11:21It's a Thomas Fairfax letter, to the Honourable William Lenthall Esq.,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Speaker of the House of Commons,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26concerning the taking of Sherborne Castle, with 16 pieces of ordnance,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30one mortar piece, 344 common soldiers.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32So...
0:11:32 > 0:11:36this is quite interesting. Dated August 19th, 1645.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- This is the English Civil War.- Yeah.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42400 years ago. So,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45the only time we've had blood spilt in our country
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- in this type of civil war... - Type of civil war.- ..ever.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Sir Thomas Fairfax - was he a royalist?
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- I don't know.- No, I don't know.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- Do you know? - I don't know which side he was on.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Roundhead or a Cavalier?! Ha-ha!- Cavalier, yeah!
0:11:58 > 0:11:59So, where did you find it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Well, it was my uncle's. Years and years ago,
0:12:03 > 0:12:09he gave it to me when he had to move into the almshouses in Sherborne.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- So, he had it...?- He had it, just with a lot of other bits and pieces
0:12:13 > 0:12:15and things and that, that I had off of him.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- All I know, I've had it about 50 years.- Ah!
0:12:18 > 0:12:22You've had it about 50 years - it IS in remarkable condition.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25If we just flip it over, you've got the list of prisoners
0:12:25 > 0:12:30of war taken at Sherborne Castle on the 15th August, 1645.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Seven pages. Very interesting.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's obviously - it is a Parliamentarian letter.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- I don't know how rare it is. - No.- I would have thought,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42it's a bit like these commemorative pamphlets you get
0:12:42 > 0:12:47now, or these information documents - this probably would have been
0:12:47 > 0:12:49quite widely produced.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51But you've kept it in good condition.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53What do you think it's worth?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I just haven't got a clue.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's one of those things where I don't know the value.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01I find it fascinating, it's quirky, I love the history behind it,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03and I like the local interest.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07As it's old, it has a value, and I would say, well...
0:13:07 > 0:13:10it's got to be tried at £100.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- Yes, yeah, fine.- Put it at 80-100. - Yeah.- Reserve it at 50...- Yeah.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- ..and I think we should have a good result at the auction house.- Yeah.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Yeah, that's fine.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21To answer your question, Thomas,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Sir Thomas Fairfax was a Roundhead, that's a Parliamentarian,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27who fought against the Cavaliers, and they were the Royalists,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29during the English Civil War.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Well, there you are, that's our third item found.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39We can now cross to the auction room for the first time today
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and put those valuations to the test. Here's a quick recap,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45just to jog your memory of what we're taking with us.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Time for a new home for Chris and Linda's
0:13:48 > 0:13:50World War II aircraft clocks.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56You don't need to be a chocoholic to appreciate Bernard's silver pot.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Hopefully, it'll be going to a lover of neoclassical design.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05And will Michael's unusual Parliamentarian letter
0:14:05 > 0:14:09written by Sir Thomas Fairfax appeal to a local historian?
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Today, our auctioneers are in the small Somerset town of Bridgwater.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21It was here that over 6,000 evacuees arrived during World War II.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Many had travelled from the East End of London,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28and arriving in Bridgwater must have been quite a shock.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Fast forward 70 years, and it's time for us to head over
0:14:32 > 0:14:35to Tamlyns, where Claire Rawle, our auctioneer for today,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37has taken her position on the rostrum.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41And right now, it's time to catch up with our first seller.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Michael, this is fascinating. It's the oldest thing in the sale today.
0:14:45 > 0:14:501645 - Sir Thomas Fairfax, a Parliamentarian letter.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Hard thing to value. - Really hard thing to value.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Uber hard.- Yeah - brave one. - It might not sell,
0:14:55 > 0:14:56but we've put a little amount of money on it,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- and you're getting a lot for your money, I think.- Yeah.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01It's up for sale, and YOU could buy it,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and it's going under the hammer right now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06The Sir Thomas Fairfax letter.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08There we are.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Concerning the taking of Sherborne!
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Lot 292. And this one, we start away at £42.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16At 42, do I see five anywhere? Bids at 42?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19At 42, now, five? At 42?
0:15:19 > 0:15:2145 on the internet, 48 here.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23At 48, now 50 out there.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26We've got interest on the internet, look.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- Yep, somebody's seen it. - At £50, internet bid at 50.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31At £50, five. At 55. 60.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33At £60. Now five.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35At 65. At 70...
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It's going, isn't it? It's going.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39At 75. 80. Now five?
0:15:39 > 0:15:43£80 it is at the moment. At £80 - on the internet at £80.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48Now five? At £80 still. Are you all done at £80?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Done and dusted!- Well done.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Brilliant.- It's gone.- It's gone.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Are you happy? - Yeah, it's fine, yeah.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Michael's letter went to a private buyer.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59Now, let's hope a silver collector
0:15:59 > 0:16:02warms to Bernard's lovely chocolate pot.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Fingers crossed, Bernard. Your silver chocolate pot's
0:16:05 > 0:16:07just about to go under the hammer.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10As Charlie said at the valuation, difficult to weigh, this one,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- because there's so much lead in the base of it.- Yeah.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Nevertheless, it looks quality - I do like this.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19I think this would have been part of a five- or six-piece set...
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Definitely.- ..in a boxed set. Quality.- Good luck, Bernard.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23This is it - this is what we've been waiting for.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Lot 92, the chocolate pot.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Showing to you there. Early-type design, lot 92.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34And this one I start away at £65. At 65 - do I see 70 anywhere?
0:16:34 > 0:16:3770. Five. 80. Five. 90. Five.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40100. In the room now at 100.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- 110. 120. 130...- Ooh!
0:16:42 > 0:16:44..140...
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- 150.- Better than being in the attic!
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- That's true.- 160 bid's up here.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53At £160 - are you all done? It's going to sell for 160...
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Yes! That one's gone.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57- Yeah.- That's all right.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Considering the damage and the fact that it was late.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Not particularly popular - what is someone going to do with it?
0:17:02 > 0:17:05I don't know - look for the rest of the set?
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Go up in to Bernard's attic!
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Having the whole set would have made it very sweet indeed,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14but it did go above estimate.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Time's up for those World War II aeroplane clocks.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Will this next lot fly away? Two aircraft timepieces -
0:17:22 > 0:17:25hopefully they will. Chris and Linda, it's great to see you.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- Now, I know you worked at Filton. - That's right.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- So you've got a passion for aircraft.- Yeah.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32And it was wonderful to see aircraft memorabilia
0:17:32 > 0:17:34coming into our valuation day.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- We were all excited about that, weren't we?- Oh, yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We don't know where these dials are from - it could be from...
0:17:39 > 0:17:41It could be from a Hurricane, or from a Spitfire, we don't know.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Hopefully there's somebody out there that does, and they're here
0:17:44 > 0:17:46right now to buy it. It's going under the hammer, this is it.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49152, the World War II period - and they ARE period -
0:17:49 > 0:17:52nice aircraft timepieces,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54and these I'm going to start away at £85.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57AT 85. Do I see 90 anywhere? Bid's with me at 85.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59At £85. Now 90.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02At 90. 95. 100.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04110. 120 in the room.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08At 120. Got a room bid at 120. So, 130 out there?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Good, yes. - 130 I have. 140 in the room.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13At £140. 150. 160.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17At 160. One seven... 170.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20180. At 180. At £180...
0:18:20 > 0:18:22190.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24£200. At £200.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28220 out there? At £200 - are you all done then?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30They're going to sell at £200...
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Great result. - Wonderful.- Just goes to show,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37history...to do with aviation...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Your dad would be pleased as well, wouldn't he? He would be, yeah.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Result.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44I love the fact that Chris's dad used these old clocks
0:18:44 > 0:18:46on each side of his bed.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48I hope today's buyer finds an equally original place
0:18:48 > 0:18:50for these wonderful World War II items.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Don't forget, if you want to sell anything at auction,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59you'll need to pay commission, and here, it's 15% plus VAT.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03That concludes our first visit to the saleroom today -
0:19:03 > 0:19:05so far, so good.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Before I return to Yeovilton to join up with our experts
0:19:08 > 0:19:10to find more items to put under the hammer,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13I'm going to take you behind the scenes of the museum
0:19:13 > 0:19:14on a little guided tour.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31This is Cobham Hall, the museum's reserve store,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33where all the new arrivals are brought.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36And as you can see, there's quite a lot of them.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40They're here with numerous miscellaneous aircraft parts,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43items that currently aren't in exhibition.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48But everything you see here is meticulously itemised and logged.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51What interests me are the incredible human stories
0:19:51 > 0:19:54that lie behind these aircraft,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and how a new way of working is helping to rediscover them.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Now, this Harrier Jump Jet may not look like history,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04but in the ever-changing world of military aviation,
0:20:04 > 0:20:09it already is - it was decommissioned in 2010.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Now, if you look inside that cockpit, I've been told
0:20:12 > 0:20:15there's lots of grains of sand from the pilot's boot.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19And it's these little visual marks that evoke the human stories
0:20:19 > 0:20:24that are involved in and around these aircraft that's so important.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Looking at it today, I really hope it will be preserved
0:20:27 > 0:20:31as it is now for future generations to see.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's so evocative looking at an item that exudes its history.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I've arranged to meet up with Dave Morris,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Curator of Aircraft here at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45He is globally pioneering a whole new way of restoring aircraft.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50What IS your approach to, let's say, conservation, or restoration?
0:20:50 > 0:20:51That's a really interesting one,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54because we're trying to look carefully at what those words mean -
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- conservation, restoration, preservation...- Yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59If you're lucky enough to be given Constable's Haywain
0:20:59 > 0:21:01or Botticelli's Venus or a Chippendale table...
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- You leave it well alone. - You wouldn't necessarily
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- just race for the paint pot, I hope.- No.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09But a lot of 20th century mechanical objects have suffered in that way.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Let's take the Harrier Jump Jet - we've ended up here.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15That looks to me like it's in pretty much original condition
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- and you haven't touched that yet. - It is exactly why
0:21:18 > 0:21:20we selected that, when it became available.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22It's straight from, erm,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25its last theatre of war operation in Afghanistan,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and exactly how we would want to now look at keeping an object -
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- straight from use. - Is this a new way of thinking,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34or has this policy been in place for quite a few years?
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The more detailed work that we're getting into, where we're actually
0:21:37 > 0:21:40carefully looking at our objects and in some instances
0:21:40 > 0:21:43un-painting them - quite literally taking paint layers back,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45millimetre by millimetre,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48to expose original finishes and history from beneath -
0:21:48 > 0:21:50that's quite new, and it's something
0:21:50 > 0:21:52we've been involved with now since the year 2000.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55What was the first plane you worked on in that way?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58The first project that we took in that direction
0:21:58 > 0:22:01was the World War II Chance Vought Corsair fighter,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05which again has been in the collection for many years,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08had obviously been repainted during the 1960s,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12but the more we investigated it, the more we started to believe
0:22:12 > 0:22:14that beneath that 1960s paint,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17it looked like it had a lot, if not all,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20of its original 1944 paintwork intact.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And that's what you're looking for, that real human DNA,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26the people that actually built that in the first place and gave it
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- its first paint job...- You can paint it as many times as you like,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31but it's only original once.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Talking to Dave and stepping into his world
0:22:34 > 0:22:37makes me think of a forensic scientist.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40And in many ways, that's exactly what he is.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43I know in a moment, you're going to show me
0:22:43 > 0:22:46something you're currently working on. But first, tell me about this,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49because this is early naval aviation history, isn't it -
0:22:49 > 0:22:50the Seaplane Lighter...?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Absolutely - this dates back to World War I.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57It is a purpose-built vessel for carrying a sea plane.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01So, basically, it's an iron-hulled barge, isn't it,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03that you put a seaplane on and towed?
0:23:03 > 0:23:05It is, but more significant than that,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07it was the first time that the Admiralty had actually
0:23:07 > 0:23:12ordered from a company a vessel to carry an airplane at sea.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- In other words - an aircraft carrier. - Right.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- So, you have to consider this to be...- A first.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19..the start point of where the modern aircraft carrier begins.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Unbelievable! How many of these have survived?
0:23:21 > 0:23:25We have the only one known to exist, as a complete Seaplane Lighter.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Where did you find it? - Well, fortunately,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31somebody who was a ships historian and enthusiast in that part
0:23:31 > 0:23:34of the River Thames, where it was operating as a flat-top Thames barge,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37identified it, recognised it, they wrote us a letter and said,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39"We think we've seen a World War I Seaplane Lighter
0:23:39 > 0:23:41"still being used on the Thames."
0:23:41 > 0:23:42And that was recently?
0:23:42 > 0:23:441996 was when they pointed it out.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- So it was still afloat in 1996? - Still being used, still afloat.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50And we were lucky to get it released from the company
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and bring it in to storage here.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55If we hadn't been tipped off and hadn't acted on it,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- it would have literally been cut up for scrap.- Wow.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00How lucky, how lucky! And here we are standing on it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03The Seaplane Lighter has been painstakingly restored
0:24:03 > 0:24:05over the past 17 years
0:24:05 > 0:24:09to reveal as much of its original identity as possible.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12The aeroplane that Dave is currently restoring
0:24:12 > 0:24:14is the only remaining one of its kind.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18And during World War II, it might have changed history for ever.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21The French commissioned a fleet of the American-made
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Grumman Martlets, but with the Nazi occupation of Paris,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26there was a very real threat
0:24:26 > 0:24:28that the aeroplanes would end up in German hands.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Miraculously, word got out in time,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and the contract was transferred to the British.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Today, Dave is working in a way that will reveal
0:24:36 > 0:24:39as much of the aeroplane's story as possible.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41You've brought me to this section of wing -
0:24:41 > 0:24:42what are you going to show me?
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Here is a good example of the type of thing we're discovering.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49People often say, "So, what is the point, what are you finding,
0:24:49 > 0:24:50"why do you do this?"
0:24:50 > 0:24:53And again, it's tracking back through the object's history.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56You'll see lots of different layers and different colours here,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59where we now have understood through research which colour
0:24:59 > 0:25:02relates to what date of the aircraft.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05The Americans used this aeroplane extensively during World War II.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08And colour footage does exist of their fleets.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Sadly, nothing has been found of the British using the Grumman Martlet,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15making Dave's work even more important.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19And then things like this green scrape here.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- There's quite a definite... - It goes right along, doesn't it?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25There's quite a lot of speed attached to that scrape there.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28And it's dark green. We've had that chemically analysed,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and it matches identically the green on the upper surface of the wing.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34So, what caused that, then, two wings colliding?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37It can only be that it's run across the wing tip
0:25:37 > 0:25:38of another Grumman Martlet -
0:25:38 > 0:25:41one of the other aircraft on the squadron.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44A landing accident or a taxiing accident, maybe on a carrier
0:25:44 > 0:25:46or an airfield - we don't know.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48But now we can start tracking that further
0:25:48 > 0:25:53because we know that the lighter colour dates from April 1941 -
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and of course, the green stripe is below that,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- so it has to pre-date April '41.- Yes.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01That puts it on one of two squadrons, so we can now start looking
0:26:01 > 0:26:04at those squadron records, and seeing if we can fine-tune
0:26:04 > 0:26:07- the research.- Good detective work!
0:26:07 > 0:26:09That's exciting, isn't it?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12We're beginning literally to get under the skin of the object.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Scrape some off - I see you've got a little scalpel in your hand.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- A tiny blade...- You find an edge that starts to go...
0:26:17 > 0:26:19So you're taking the dark blue off now.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Yes, we're getting rid of the dark blue,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24and the silver coat, which is immediately beneath the dark blue...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I was going to have a go, to say I've done something, but I don't
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- want to take off the cream, so... - Well...
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Oh, look, there's a bit, look. - Find an edge, and see how you...
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Shall I just keep scraping? - Just keep going with the blue.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Just keep going with the blue. That's fine.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40'You have to admire Dave's commitment,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43'given that he's already spent seven years working on this aircraft,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45'and it's not finished yet.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47'But when it IS done, this aeroplane
0:26:47 > 0:26:50'really will have been brought back to life.'
0:26:50 > 0:26:54I'm part of a generation who has known men who flew planes like this,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56risking their lives during World War II. And sadly,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59as that generation leaves us, it's more important then ever now
0:26:59 > 0:27:03to remember their history, and their contribution,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07so the next generation can understand - and learn.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Welcome back to the main exhibition hall,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17where hundreds of "Flog It!" fans are waiting
0:27:17 > 0:27:21to get their antiques and collectibles valued.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24As you can see, we're filming inside the Fleet Air Arm Museum,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26but if you follow me, look... you can see,
0:27:26 > 0:27:31it's actually situated on a working military naval aviation base.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35There's helicopters and jets taking off all the time,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38coming and going. There's 4,500 personnel stationed here.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42It's the largest in the country, and it's quite an exciting environment,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45so let's now catch up with our experts back inside.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49First up, it's Charlie Ross, who has his work cut out
0:27:49 > 0:27:50getting through this next item.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Muriel, how perfectly charming!
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Did you start with a bracelet and then add these yourself, or...?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Yes, I did buy the bracelet, and then...that was about
0:28:00 > 0:28:041957, I think. And then I started adding charms from then on.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Presumably each one tells a tale?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09The foreign ones do, because it's all the different countries that
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- I visited... - Well, I can have a guess here.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- You've been to Paris... - Yes, there's the Eiffel Tower.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- The Eiffel Tower. - And a cuckoo clock.- Cuckoo clock.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Austria, Switzerland?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Erm, yes, erm...- Do you know what I like best here...?
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- There's an edelweiss from Switzerland.- Yes.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Look at this. Look at this, Muriel!
0:28:28 > 0:28:30A working mincer!
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Yes, I can't remember where that one came from!
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- A kitchen!- Yeah, true!
0:28:36 > 0:28:40It's really a fantastic collection - do you know how many there are?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- I think there's 30.- 32.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- Oh, right!- I had a count when you weren't looking!- Oh, right!
0:28:46 > 0:28:48- 32 of them.- Yes.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51They went right out of fashion and I think people used to just
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- melt them down because of the value of the gold.- Yes, yes.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58- But although gold value has gone up, people DO collect them now.- Yes.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02And if you really want to collect gold charms and you haven't got one,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- well...- That's right.- ..you've got no duplications here at all,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- have you, I don't think? - No, I don't think there is, no.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- There aren't.- They're all nine-carat gold...- Yes.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- ..so they're a lower... of the grade of gold.- Yes.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- But what about value?- I thought maybe it was worth 150-200,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- but I don't know.- We can multiply your 150 by four.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22- Really?- How about that?!
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Might be able to go on another holiday, then, mightn't I?!
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- No, don't, because you'll start buying more gold charms!- I know!
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- Well, obviously you want to sell it...- Yes.- ..and presumably,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- given your valuation, you're quite pleased to see it...?- Yes, yes.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Yes. I didn't come with the purpose of selling it in the first place,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- because we brought other things, but...- Yeah.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43But the price has tickled you, hasn't it?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45- Well, I think it might have, yes.- Yes!
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Well, I think 700-900, I really do.- Really?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- My goodness me!- I do!
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- And I'm going to put a reserve of 700 with discretion on it.- Right.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So if we get bid 650 and not more,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- we would sell it...- Yes.- ..and I think we're very happy at 700-900.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- Well, yes, so am I, then! - So are you! That makes two of us!
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Yeah!
0:30:05 > 0:30:09And it looks like Charlie's not the only one with magpie tendencies.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Thomas has homed in on an unusual necklace
0:30:12 > 0:30:14he spotted in the queue earlier.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Catherine.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Thank you for bringing in this fantastic piece of
0:30:19 > 0:30:23late 19th century vulcanite jewellery.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Tell me, is it something you've had for some time?
0:30:25 > 0:30:27It belonged to my mother.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31She had a collection of Victorian and Edwardian costumes.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34I don't know who gave it to her, or whether she purchased it.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37But when my mum had this collection,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40she would take them around to various village halls and things,
0:30:40 > 0:30:42to raise money.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- For what? - It went to the local hospital.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47- Really?- Yes.- Oh, fascinating.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50And there were a group of us who wore the costumes,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53and this was one of the necklaces that I used to wear.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- And was it against a black costume? - Yes, a black...
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- It's mourning jewellery. - A black-beaded costume.- Yep.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02So, vulcanite is... it's like an early plastic.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Goodyear was the man who sort of invented it.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10- Right.- And it's a mixture of sulphur and Indian rubber.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Melted...and mixed,
0:31:13 > 0:31:15it makes this sort of resin which then gets moulded.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19I don't know what the grapes represent, the grape and vine...
0:31:19 > 0:31:23And the interesting thing about this is that this is
0:31:23 > 0:31:25the poorer relation to jet.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28So, Whitby Jet, which took that high polish,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31and was very dark and very popular in the 19th century -
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- but extremely expensive.- Mmm.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37This was its, sort of, simulant, so to speak.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39It's quite dull, actually, isn't it, really?
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- It hasn't got that lovely shine.- I think it would have had that shine.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46All things of rubber, they do deteriorate over time.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49But it's a super, big, bold piece, isn't it?
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- Yes, it is lovely.- When you're thinking of Victorian jewellery,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54- that's what you want.- Mmm.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55- It's exciting.- Yes.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Do you like it?- Yes, I do.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- I do like it.- Why is it here on this table with me,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- about to sell it? - It's just in a box...
0:32:04 > 0:32:06and I wanted to come to Flog It!
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- This has got collectors for.- Yes.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- Certainly people who collect early plastics or composites.- Mmm.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13I think it's worth...
0:32:14 > 0:32:17..typical auctioneer's estimate,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20- 100-120. That's what - I- would like to put -
0:32:20 > 0:32:23that's what I THINK it's worth. With regards to a reserve,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26I think one should put a sensible reserve of about
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- £80 on it - to fix it at 80.- Mmm.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31If it doesn't sell for 80,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I think you'd be pleased to keep it, wouldn't you?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Yes. Yes, that would be fine.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37And in case you're wondering,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanite,
0:32:39 > 0:32:43ended up having a whole brand of tyres named in his honour.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46And Goodyear tyres are still going strong today.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50What's so fantastic about this venue
0:32:50 > 0:32:53is that there are gems everywhere you look.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56And while Charlie and Thomas were in full flow with their valuations,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I took the opportunity to explore.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Now, isn't this fascinating? Do you know what it's called?
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Well, if you don't, I can tell you - it's the Supermarine Walrus.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11It first came into service in 1935, and it was built in Southampton.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13And depending on which way you look at it,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16it can either be a flying boat or an amphibious biplane.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It was designed to take off and land at sea.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Its roles were to rescue people and for reconnaissance.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26And I love the way the wings fold back as a space-saving device.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29And incidentally, for it to get back on board the ship,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31it had to be hoisted up by crane.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34And to take off, it would be launched by catapult.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38One of the little design features I absolutely love about it
0:33:38 > 0:33:41is, its back wheel also acts...
0:33:41 > 0:33:44as an underwater rudder - how clever is that?!
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Designed in 1935.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49How quickly our aviation history moved
0:33:49 > 0:33:52during the first half of the 20th century!
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Take a look at our next item.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Caroline, I've been sitting here amongst aeroplanes all day
0:33:57 > 0:34:00waiting to have something that's related to the planes -
0:34:00 > 0:34:02and you've satisfied my need here,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- with this album, which you've brought from home?- Yes.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Has it been in pride of place?
0:34:08 > 0:34:10No, it's hidden away on the book shelves.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15I'm intrigued by the photographs inside this album.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Have you got a connection with the RAF at all?
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Not at all, no. - So how did you come by the album?
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- We lived in Windsor...- Right.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25..and my next-door neighbour, he was in the Royal Flying Corps.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I think it was a gift to my small son,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31when he was mad on aeroplanes.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Does he know you've brought it along here today?
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- He does, yes. - Is he happy with that?- Yes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- Oh, fine.- Yes! - There's no real relation, is there,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41between Germany and the donor of the item?
0:34:41 > 0:34:45My son thought that a lot of these old flyers and soldiers
0:34:45 > 0:34:47- brought back souvenirs.- Yeah.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- Interesting.- Yes.- There is a photograph here which intrigues me,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56which is of an aeroplane
0:34:56 > 0:34:58that has seen better days and has crashed -
0:34:58 > 0:35:00- the remains of a Fokker triplane. - Yes.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05- That's a really interesting photograph. It would be interesting to know the history.- Crumpled.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Completely crumpled! And here's a wonderful... Much, much later.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13We're into the 1930s here, with the Schneider Trophy
0:35:13 > 0:35:15that held the world speed record.
0:35:15 > 0:35:22380 mph - that's a heck of a speed in the 1930s, isn't it?
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I think these are a wonderful record of planes
0:35:26 > 0:35:30and for someone that's as keen now as your son was then
0:35:30 > 0:35:32would love to have it. Value?
0:35:32 > 0:35:35I don't think that the album is worth more than perhaps £30 to £50.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38I don't know if you're happy to sell it for that sort of figure?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- Yes, it's going to charity. - It's going to charity, is it?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43- What charity?- Help The Heroes.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46That's wonderful and very apposite really
0:35:46 > 0:35:50that the proceeds of something like this goes to Help The Heroes.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- That's right.- So we need to get more than £30 then, £50, £100!
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- I think £30-£50's the right estimate.- Good.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Thank you very much for bringing them. I wish I knew more about aeroplanes and could tell you.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Perhaps we might find the curator later on and get him to fill us in.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07And fill us in he did!
0:36:07 > 0:36:11But before I catch up with auctioneer Claire Rawle about this intriguing album,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14it's time to say goodbye to the Fleet Air Arm Museum
0:36:14 > 0:36:17and the naval base here in Yeovilton,
0:36:17 > 0:36:19before we head off to the auction room for the last time.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Here's a quick reminder of what we're taking with us.
0:36:23 > 0:36:28All that glitters is gold, but will Muriel's bracelet charm the buyers?
0:36:30 > 0:36:33A late 19th-century mourning necklace,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35but is it a good year for selling vulcanite?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40And will the collectors home in on the photo album
0:36:40 > 0:36:43of early 20th-century aeroplanes?
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Time to catch up with Claire
0:36:47 > 0:36:50about the item that's got everyone talking.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56- Now, this is quite exciting. - I love this.- I do as well,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59one of my favourite items of the day. It belongs to Caroline,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03and it's an album of First World War aircraft.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Now, the museum curator back at the airbase, Graham,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08had a flick through this
0:37:08 > 0:37:12and got quite excited about one particular photograph.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17Now, there is a wreckage of a Fokker triplane with a date on it
0:37:17 > 0:37:21and if you look up there, "23rd April, 1918".
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It was shot down at an airfield around the Somme,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- which is where this was taken. - Yeah, so we're thinking...?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30We're thinking, we're putting two and two together
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- and coming up with five.- That's certainly Red Baron territory.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Could be, couldn't it? Which was shot down,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I think, on the 21st April 1918.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45- The dates coincide, don't they? - I think it probably is.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- I think so as well.- He knows his stuff as well, the curator,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50let's face it, he's going to know that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54When I saw this, I thought anyway it was going to make good money.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Some brilliant images in here, they're all genuine of their age.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02They're all genuine 1918, when they were taken, they're not copies.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07Then, as soon as this came to light, you think, OK, it's... It should do.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- It's really nice.- OK, big question we all want to know,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13especially the viewers at home -
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- has there been a lot of interest? - Yeah, there has.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- Has there?- We have got quite a bit of interest,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22so we'll keep that surprise for later.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26That photograph is the wreckage of the Red Baron,
0:38:26 > 0:38:27the WWI German fighter pilot
0:38:27 > 0:38:31whose name came from his aristocratic background
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and distinctive red Fokker biplane.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35He was revered by both sides
0:38:35 > 0:38:39and is probably the most widely known fighter pilot of all time.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Well, it's auction time and I really hope our first item,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48so laden with personal history, makes its money today.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Going under the hammer right now, Muriel's charm bracelet.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54It's nine-carat gold and there's a lot of gold there.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56We're looking at £700-£900.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Lots of memories for you, visual links of your trips abroad.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03- They've all got memories, really. - Why have you decided to sell now?
0:39:03 > 0:39:08- I haven't worn it for about 40 years. - OK.- And it's very uncomfortable.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12It's going under the hammer right now.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17Lot 22. That's a bit of gold, showing to you here.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22This is the charm bracelet set with all those lovely charms, lot 22.
0:39:22 > 0:39:28I have to start this one away. I have got four... £550. At 550, six?
0:39:28 > 0:39:3250, seven at the back of the room. At £700 at the back of the room.
0:39:32 > 0:39:37At 700, now 50 anywhere? At 50 here. At 750. DO you want to go 800?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40800, I have. 820, I'll take.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Three at the same at 850, at 820, the bid's here.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48At £820, the bid's in the room then, you all done at £820?
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Mid-estimate, well done. Good value.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- It's gone, yes!- It's gone! It's gone!
0:39:54 > 0:39:55We're saying our goodbyes,
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- but you've still got those memories. - Yes, I have!
0:39:59 > 0:40:02And Catherine also has many memories of happy days spent modelling,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06associated with her striking vulcanite necklace.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12It's like an early Bakelite, it's like a Victorian plastic, vulcanite.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16It's very light. It looks heavy, but it's not at all.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- It's lovely to wear. - Are you going to miss this now?
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Not really, because it's been in the cupboard for ages.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25I think we should get on and sell some antiques right now!
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- Are you ready for this, Catherine? - Yes, ready!- This is what we've come for! Let's get on with it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:3242, this is rather fun. The Victorian vulcanite necklace.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35And I'm sure you've all had a good look at this.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40This one I have to start straight in at £90 and I'm looking for 100.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- Straight in.- 100, 110?
0:40:43 > 0:40:48120 at the back. 120, 130, 140, 150.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51150 bid's here. At £150, do I see £160?
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- At £150.- I'm amazed!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57£160 on the internet.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01At 170, now 180. He's still hovering.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04180, net bid this time at £180.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06180. Are you all sure?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Selling then, at £180. - GAVEL BANGS
0:41:09 > 0:41:13- Yes! Hammer's gone down! £180. What a great result!- Awesome!
0:41:13 > 0:41:14And I've learnt something there.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I never knew anything about vulcanite before.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19No, well, I'm glad you pounced on it.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21THEY CHUCKLE
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Caroline's giving the proceeds of her son's photo album to charity.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Let's hope that new information about the Red Baron
0:41:30 > 0:41:33pushes it through the roof.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35It's chocks away, as they say on the airfield,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37which brings us nicely to Caroline's lot,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41that wonderful photograph album of early aviation history.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43The triplanes. Love it to bits.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I know it's your son's album, isn't it?
0:41:45 > 0:41:49The good news is that Graham Mottram, the director of the museum that we filmed at,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52believes that's the image of the Red Baron's plane
0:41:52 > 0:41:55that was shot down outside the hangar in ruins.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57It's a real history.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Let's hope this flies away. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03302 is a lovely collection of photographs
0:42:03 > 0:42:06of the German aeroplanes.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09And we did have some information given to us,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11the rather wrecked-looking German Fokker triplane
0:42:11 > 0:42:15was the one that the Red Baron was shot down in.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16- So, there you go.- It was his plane.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19There's a bit of controversy as to who shot him down.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21We've had a lot of interest in this one
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- and I have to start straight in at £160.- Wow, straight in!
0:42:24 > 0:42:28Can I see 170 anywhere? At 160, now 170.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31At 170, 180, 190, 200?
0:42:31 > 0:42:34At 200 with me, £200?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36At 200. Now, 220 anywhere?
0:42:36 > 0:42:38- It's good.- It's gone. - At 200, are you all done?
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- It's going to my bidder at £200. - It's gone, brilliant!- £200.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- Yes, that made all the difference. - I hope it's gone to the museum.
0:42:45 > 0:42:50It was the dates, three days after the Red Baron was shot down.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54I hadn't picked up on those. They were actually within the photograph?
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Yes, they were.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58It's always good when you find out new information about an item,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01especially when it boosts its value.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04So, fantastic news for Caroline's charity.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06We've had a great time here in Somerset,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09surrounded by vintage and modern aircraft,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12and of course, wonderful antiques and some happy owners.
0:43:12 > 0:43:13That's what it's all about.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17Join us again next time, but until then, it's goodbye from Flog It!