0:00:09 > 0:00:10Today, for the first time ever,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13"Flog It!" comes to a working military base.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16This is HMS Heron in Somerset, Britain's largest naval
0:00:16 > 0:00:21aviation base. And later on in the programme, I'll be going up in that.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Our valuations today come from inside the Fleet Air Arm Museum,
0:00:48 > 0:00:50which is on the base here at HMS Heron,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53and it holds Europe's largest collection of airplanes
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and helicopters designed specifically to launch from ships.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Today, this naval airbase is the busiest in the country,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07with aircraft being dispatched all over the globe on military,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10anti-terrorism and even anti-piracy missions.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Well, let's hope today's antiques
0:01:12 > 0:01:14are all above board and shipshape,
0:01:14 > 0:01:15we don't want the anti-piracy
0:01:15 > 0:01:17squadron descending on us.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21And as well as hundreds of members of the public here today,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23we have our own "Flog It!" antique experts,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26guardians of high standards and excellence.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30The very respectable Charlie Ross.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- Real diamonds.- Are they, really? Well, goodbye.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35And the impeccable Thomas Plant.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Do you know how to use it? - Of course not.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Though it is looking like I do.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Well, what a fabulous queue we have here today.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45People have come from all over the area,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47from the flats of the Somerset Levels,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49from the highs of the Quantock Hills
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and the banks of the River Parrett, all carrying antiques
0:01:52 > 0:01:54and collectibles, hoping they are one of the lucky ones to get
0:01:54 > 0:01:57chosen to go through to the auction later on.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Time to get this queue inside so our experts both on and off screen can
0:02:01 > 0:02:06get a proper look at the wonderfully diverse items arriving here today.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09And for those of you who know your Japanese Meiji
0:02:09 > 0:02:10from your Chinese Qing,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14which one of these three Oriental items makes thousands at auction?
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Will it be this menacing looking samurai sword?
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Or the Chinese ivory aide-memoire?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28Or the Cantonese vase decorated with famille rose?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Surrounded by incredible aircraft, there is
0:02:33 > 0:02:37no shortage of things to look at here at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38But right now, it is
0:02:38 > 0:02:41time to focus our attentions on our first item of the day.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Let's go straight to Charlie Ross,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47who has installed himself beneath the beautiful wings of Concorde.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Frances, will you dance?- I'd love to. And I am such a fan of yours,
0:02:51 > 0:02:56I decided to come and bring this just on the chance of meeting you.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- Well, here I am.- Very nice, too. - I must say, you made my day.- Good.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I'm going to go home now.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04When I said, "Would you dance?"
0:03:04 > 0:03:07I wonder if that might be a little dance card.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- That's exactly what I thought it was as well.- But it is quite large
0:03:11 > 0:03:17if you think of the sort of size of handbags for fancy ladies that
0:03:17 > 0:03:18- went dancing.- That's right.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20I think that would be possibly a little large.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- She'd have a lot of dances, wouldn't she?- She'd have a lot of dances.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24There's a lot of pages.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- We dance all night, couldn't we? - That's right, yes.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It might be a note pad or an aide-memoire,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32if you would like to put it into fancy French.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Of course. It's posh then.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35It is beautifully, beautifully carved.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- Do you know where it was made?- No, but is it ivory?- It is ivory, yes.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Because I have had it in a drawer and I kept on taking it out
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and I kept thinking, "Is it or isn't it?"
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Because it is so nicely decorated, I thought it can't be plastic.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54No, it isn't plastic.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- It is Chinese. It is actually Cantonese.- Oh, yes.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58It is from Canton.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Now, what we need to say about ivory, it is
0:04:00 > 0:04:04illegal to sell any ivory that is post 1947.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06I was a bit worried about it.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08That's why it stayed in the drawer for a while.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10You don't need to worry, this is well pre-1947.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15I would think this is certainly 1910, 1920.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17It might even be a little bit earlier.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22- Gosh!- You have got all the courtiers here,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25carved in superb depth.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- It's so small, isn't it?- Wonderful.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32See the thickness of ivory there, and if you hold it up to the light,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34you can see the scene perfectly well.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- Can you see that?- Yes.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- Isn't that extraordinary? - It is, fabulous.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42There is no chips, no damage. There is a little bit of discolouration.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48And you have got a wonderful little clasp here, which I think is silver.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53And that will be commensurate with the sort of quality of the item.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- Have we got anything written in it? - No.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00I was waiting for you to say whether you were going to do a waltz
0:05:00 > 0:05:01or a foxtrot or...
0:05:01 > 0:05:05I'm a little bit worried here, there is something written here.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Oh, my goodness.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- Can you see that?- What does it say?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11You better not read it out, it might be naughty.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14It says, "Punishment list."
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- It can't be!- It does. Doesn't that same punishment list?
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- Well, it doesn't say shopping list, does it?- No. It doesn't say tango.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- No, it doesn't. Value?- No idea.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- I think that will make between £100 and £200.- That's lovely.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Also, it is nice and small.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- It is small.- If you are collecting something...
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- That's absolutely right.- Yes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I wouldn't like to sell it without a reserve,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- just in case there aren't the right people there.- Yes.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44And I would like to put a reserve of 100,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46with a little bit of auctioneer's discretion.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- Are you happy with that?- Yes, because I've met you through it.- Oh!
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- So that's perfect.- You keep saying all the right things.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58I don't think Charlie could have started on a higher note.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02And there is no chance of coming down to earth with our next seller.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04So, Chris, any connection with this place here?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Well, actually, I've flown on a Concorde journey
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- from Bahrain to London.- Have you now?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Yes, when I was working in the Middle East.- Were you in the oil industry?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14No, no. I was out working for an Arab company
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- in the furnishing business. - And how quick was it?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- 3.5 hours from memory.- How amazing!
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Great. So we're digressing from the pot. What do you know about it?
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Virtually nothing. It belonged to my father.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32And it has been here in the family for at least 45, 50 years.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33That is I know.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- We use it for paintbrushes and that sort of thing.- It is Chinese.- Yes.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- It is Canton.- Oh, really?- What we call the Chinese Canton ware.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45With this famille rose palette to it.
0:06:45 > 0:06:52Famille rose are the pinks we pick out against the green and the gilt.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55You have some ladies here chatting to somebody sitting within
0:06:55 > 0:06:56a window.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00And on the other side, exotic birds and butterflies,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04which are delightful. And they sort of unite the piece throughout.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Chinese works of art,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Chinese ceramics are immensely popular at the moment, the reason
0:07:10 > 0:07:15being is the Chinese nationals are buying back their heritage.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17However, I'm going to slightly disappoint you.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21This was made for our market in Canton in the middle
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- of the 19th century. - Yes.- Our market.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Therefore, they are not so keen on buying it back.- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29But it is still immensely decorative.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Are you happy to let it go?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Well, we don't really use it as such, so, yes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39So, if I were to say we would put it in at £100, 100 to 150,
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- fixed reserve of 100? - Yes, that's all right.- Is that OK?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Yes, that's fine.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47I think one should do that because it is so decorative.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50And the really nice thing about it...
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- The ring?- It's perfect. - Oh, good. Yes.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Well, let's hope Thomas' valuation rings true in the auction house.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I love our valuation days, there are always
0:08:00 > 0:08:02so many fascinating people to meet.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06And today, Commodore Jock Alexander, who is in charge of the base,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09has dropped in with an item close to his heart.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13This is Philip B West, isn't it? Does this belong to the museum?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16This belongs to the Historic Fleet, an original painting by Philip West,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18whom you have all obviously
0:08:18 > 0:08:20heard of, and it depicts a battle in World War II called
0:08:20 > 0:08:23the Channel Dash, which was part of the Battle of the Atlantic, in which
0:08:23 > 0:08:25a chap flying the Swordfish won a Victoria Cross.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- There is real history here, isn't there?- It is.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30And what makes this fascinating is on the back of it, it is
0:08:30 > 0:08:35signed by a lot of the original aircrew who took part in the raid.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38So this chap here, Bunce, was the gunner in that painting,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- who survived the raid.- Gosh, that incredible.- Edgar Lee survived.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45These guys are all dead now apart from Jock Moffat, who I had the
0:08:45 > 0:08:48pleasure of meeting, and he took part in the Bismarck raid from Ark Royal.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51So this is quite unique, you will never get it again.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55I think to date, a record for his oil paintings was the view
0:08:55 > 0:08:58inside a Lancaster bomber on a raid, and that fetched £15,000.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Well, there you go.- It's up there with it. Jock, it's been a pleasure.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02Thanks, my pleasure.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09What a spectacular view you get from up here,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12but right now it is time to swoop down there to catch up with
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Charlie Ross and see what else he has spotted.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- Ailsa, how romantic is this?! - Lovely, isn't it?
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Sitting around a little table with you,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24with a heart-shaped casket between us.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Very nice, isn't it? - Where did it come from?
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Well, it belonged to my late aunt.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- They were living in Yorkshire at the time.- Yeah.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34And one of the big houses up there, I don't know which one,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38was having a sale, and the proceeds were going towards the troops.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Oh, really? When was the sale, 1938, '39?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Somewhere around there, yes. And she bought it there.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- And that is really all I know about it.- And you inherited it from her?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I inherited it from her about three or four years ago.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54I think it is a dressing table casket.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58It is for putting rings in or hair tidies, things like that.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- You know what it is made of, do you? - Silver?- It is indeed silver.- Yes.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- And where was it made, do you know that?- I don't, no.- This is Dutch.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08Oh, right.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12This is a piece of Dutch silver that was then imported into England.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Oh, I see.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17And you can tell that from the hallmark here, which is
0:10:17 > 0:10:18an English hallmark.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23And provided it had the sufficient standard or grade, it could
0:10:23 > 0:10:25then receive the English assay mark.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- This has been assayed for 1892. - Heavens!
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Oh, I didn't realise it was that old. - You didn't?- No.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34So, it is truly Victorian.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37And the embossed decoration here is in tremendous condition.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Yes, it's the little figures on it that are wonderful, aren't they?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Little cherubs in the garden here with figures
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and some wonderful, wonderful decoration
0:10:48 > 0:10:50all the way around.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Open it up and it has got a slightly gilded interior.- That's right.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57That is another sign of quality.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I suspect as a trinket holder,
0:11:01 > 0:11:05probably it would have had a velvet lining inside it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Oh, right.- Which is no longer there.- No.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09It is not 100% certain,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13but I would expect that if you were putting things like rings
0:11:13 > 0:11:15in a box like that, you wouldn't want them to rub against...
0:11:15 > 0:11:18I can't remember her ever having anything velvet in it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19It was always like that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21You don't want to put it back in the cupboard.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I don't really, no.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24If I said a figure of 50 quid,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- you'd probably be disappointed, would you?- Mm.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I think it is worth between £100 and £200.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Lovely.- Happy with that?- I am.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35We will put a fixed reserve of 100, obviously,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- so it can't be sold for any less. - No, no.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40And hope that the auctioneer works it up to the top end.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- That would be lovely. - Thank you for bringing it along.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44Thank you very much.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Well, time certainly flies when you're having fun.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52We are ready to go over to the auction room for the first
0:11:52 > 0:11:53time today.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Here is a quick recap of what we are taking with us.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Frances's delicately carved aide-memoire
0:11:59 > 0:12:02should sing out to someone with an eye for detail.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Will Chris's brush pot with its famille rose decoration appeal
0:12:07 > 0:12:09to an artistic palette?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14And will the romantics out there battle it out for Ailsa's
0:12:14 > 0:12:16heart-shaped trinket box?
0:12:19 > 0:12:22We've travelled across the Somerset Levels to Bridgwater,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25a town with a strong military history,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29once home to the famous 17th century Republican Robert Blake,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32who captured the Royalists' stronghold of Taunton,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35becoming a popular West Country hero.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Today, we have set up camp in Tamlyns.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42The room is absolutely packed. There is a wonderful atmosphere here.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Let's get on with the show, let's catch up
0:12:44 > 0:12:48with our owners as we hand the proceedings over to Claire Rawle.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50And don't forget, there is commission to pay
0:12:50 > 0:12:56on anything you sell at auction, and here it is 15% plus VAT.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59First up, it's the aide-memoire.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Frances, good luck. - Thank you very much.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Every single penny is going towards a family reunion in,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06guess where, not Skegness.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09No. Las Vegas.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- My children are both going to have big birthdays.- Right.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15So, the boys come in from Australia
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and we are all going out from England.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20How lovely! Oh, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
0:13:20 > 0:13:22They want to go on trips on helicopters
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and I don't know what and Granny has always got to pay, hasn't she?
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Yeah, so we need some money with our little Chinese carved
0:13:29 > 0:13:30ivory aide-memoire.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33They say small is beautiful, I think this is stunning. Good luck.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Thank you very much.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Lot 62. I have to start this one away at £75. At 75.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Do I see a 80 anywhere?
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- It's a good start.- 90. Five. 100, the bid is in the room now.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47It is gone, Frances.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- Yes.- Do I see 110 anywhere? At £100, bid is in the room. 110.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- 120. 130.- Great.- 140. 150. 160.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- At 160, you all done then? - I feel a roulette coming on.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02It is selling, then, at 160.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- Hammer has gone down.- Yes.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- That got quite exciting. - That was very good, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09That's one helicopter ride, I think.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Yes?
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Well, that is the first of our Oriental pieces sold,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and here's another one.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21The Chinese Cantonese brush pot is going under the hammer.
0:14:21 > 0:14:2319th century made for the English market
0:14:23 > 0:14:26and we're looking for around £100 to £150.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Why do you want to sell this?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It has been in the back of the cupboard for years and years,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- so we are thinning out. It might as well go now.- OK.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Well, good luck anyways. It is going under the hammer right now.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40A nice little Cantonese one. It is a nice start away at £75. At 75.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Do I see 80 anywhere? Bid is at 75. 80. Five. 90. Five. 100.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- In the room at £100.- Sold it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50At 100. Now 110 anywhere? At £100, then.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52The bid is in the room. Are all done?
0:14:52 > 0:14:56It is going to sell for... Oh, 110 on the internet. 120 in the room.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59At 120. At 120. Now 130 out there.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02At £120, the bid is in the room then still.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05130. 140 in the room.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08At £140. At 140. Now 150.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11At £140. Now 150.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Claire is very good at talking to the internet
0:15:13 > 0:15:16and somebody that is not really there in person.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- £140.- I'm pleased with that.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- That is as good as you are going to get for that vase.- Excellent.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22I'm very pleased.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Hotly contested there on the internet,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27but that one went to a bidder in the room.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Going under the hammer right now, a big heart. Yes, a large heart.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Not our Ailsa's heart, but it is that wonderful silver trinket box.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- And it is a whopper, isn't it? - It is.- I do like this.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- I know it caught Charlie's eye. - It is nice quality.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Fingers crossed we will get the top end of the estimate.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Thank you.- Happy with that?- Yes. - OK, let's go for it.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47And this one I have to start straight in at £120.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52- Yes.- 130. 140. 150. 160. 170. 180.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- 190. 200. 220.- What?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58280. 300. 320.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- 350.- I don't understand. - Wow, Charlie.- 400.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- 420.- There is a bid on the book. - Now I've got 450 here.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07At £450. At 450.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Claire was looking at a bid on the book, working the bids.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- £450. Yes!- Oh, lovely!
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- What?- That was a lot of hard work. £450!
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- How about that?!- Wonderful. Thank you.- Back to the drawing board.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24It's nice when it goes like that, isn't it?
0:16:24 > 0:16:27One bemused expert and one delighted seller.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It is the unpredictability of the auction room that makes it
0:16:30 > 0:16:33such an exciting place to be in.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35There you are, that is the end of the first visit
0:16:35 > 0:16:36to the sale room today.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38We are coming back here later on in the programme,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41so don't go away because there could be one or two surprises.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Now, while I was in Yeovilton, I found out about the history
0:16:44 > 0:16:46of 815 Naval Air Squadron
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and what it takes to be a pilot with them today.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14815 Squadron has been operating out of HMS Heron for over 70 years now.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Today, they are the largest helicopter squadron in Europe.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Before I meet them, here is a quick bit about their history.
0:17:23 > 0:17:29815 were formed in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The first aircraft the squadron flew was the Swordfish.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34And their first major mission was to provide
0:17:34 > 0:17:39support during the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44The Second World War had propelled huge changes in aviation design,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49and by 1958, 815 were a helicopter squadron using sonar to spot
0:17:49 > 0:17:51submarines.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56By 1981, the Somerset-made Lynx helicopter
0:17:56 > 0:17:58was at the forefront of the squadron.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02And today, some 30 years later, it is
0:18:02 > 0:18:05still the Lynx helicopter that the squadron flies.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Nowadays, missions include anti-terrorism deployments
0:18:09 > 0:18:12and even battling pirates in the Indian Ocean.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16It takes four years to train to be an 815 pilot today.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18And physical fitness is paramount
0:18:18 > 0:18:23when you are carrying 15 kilos of kit on your person.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28And here's a man who knows all about it - Lieutenant Adam Rudkin.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31What does it take to be an 815 pilot today?
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Well, it takes about four years of training
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and a lot of commitment and hard work to get to this
0:18:35 > 0:18:38point to be at a frontline squadron, such as 815.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Just tell me about the squadron. You know, it has got a great name,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44hasn't it? 815, it is renowned worldwide.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46What does it feel like to be part of that?
0:18:46 > 0:18:47Oh, I feel very lucky and honoured.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50You know, 815 is the home of frontline Lynx aviation.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53And it is a great squadron, it's unique.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55You never know what you're going to do from day to day.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Are you confident now to sort of jump in most aircraft
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- and helicopters and fly them? - Um... Just this aircraft.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03You know, I mean, they are all the same basically,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07but have a lot of different nuances and techniques, yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09I will stick with the Lynx for now.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Adam's confidence flying the Lynx comes from his extensive training.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17And knowing exactly what to do in an emergency.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20This next exercise is designed to prepare pilots
0:19:20 > 0:19:22for a worst-case scenario -
0:19:22 > 0:19:24crashing at sea.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Three guys from 815 Squadron
0:19:26 > 0:19:28just about to do the dunking.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I know you have done this before.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32You have to do it virtually once every two years?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Yeah, maximum of every two years,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36so we end up doing it quite regularly, unfortunately.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Gee, obviously you get better with age doing this, don't you?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42You would hope, but generally you get more scared as you get older.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Is it really quite frightening?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Well, yeah, you're getting upside down in the dark.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50You're trapped in cos you've got your seat belt holding you.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52And all this kit, what you're wearing now.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54We've got life jackets and all our survival suits,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and we're trapped into the aircraft with a five-point harness,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59so loads of different things catch on.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02It goes upside down, all the oxygen goes out, you start panicking.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04So it is, you know, not a very pleasant experience,
0:20:04 > 0:20:05but really useful as well.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Everyone who has had a real incident, they always come back
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and say this training is exceptionally useful.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12Look, guys, good luck.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I'm pleased I'm staying here and watching.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- You can join us if you like. - No, thanks.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Lieutenant BJ Smith, Head of Survival Equipment,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26talked me through the exercise.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29They will all brace themselves in there.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31They will have one hand on their lap strap,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33one hand on the window to release it.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35And as the module comes down, it will submerge
0:20:35 > 0:20:39and they will make their exit once the movement has stopped.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43The aircrew who have ditched have told us of their experiences,
0:20:43 > 0:20:44where they can't remember
0:20:44 > 0:20:47a thing from the moment of impact to the moment they come back
0:20:47 > 0:20:49up to the surface cos that habitual reaction,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52the muscle memory, has kicked in and they've just went through all
0:20:52 > 0:20:54the training that has been instilled in them.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Right, this is it. - Brace, brace, brace!- Here we go.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00This is where it must get frightening for them inside.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02I really wouldn't like to do that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08That's really creating disorientation for the guys
0:21:08 > 0:21:10in there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17That's incredible. That's absolutely incredible.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Hopefully experiencing that level of anxiety
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- in these controlled conditions brings their confidence up.- Sure.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27If that happens in reality, they know what to expect.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Like I say, you made that look easy.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33You were out just like that every single time.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There is an incentive when you are stuck underwater - you want to
0:21:36 > 0:21:39get out as quick as possible cos it is not very pleasant at times.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Well, look, well done,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and thanks for, you know, being our guinea pigs today.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Cos I certainly wouldn't have got in there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Well, that really was quite sobering,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49watching those guys do that sort of training.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53It really drums home the risk they undertake in their role.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58And before an 815 pilot can go up in a Lynx, they need to rack
0:21:58 > 0:22:02up 62 hours of flying in a helicopter simulator.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06This is just a part of their overall flight training, but it's essential.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08And there is one man who has been training
0:22:08 > 0:22:10wannabe 815 pilots for 20 years -
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Lieutenant Commander John Hartley.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16And he has offered to give me a lesson.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- So you are pretty much ready to go. - All right.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Moving the stick forward, the aircraft goes forward?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25If you move the stick forward, the aircraft will go faster
0:22:25 > 0:22:27and it will also sort of dive down and go forward.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Pull it back, you will slow down and you will climb.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- Let's give it a go. Come on, I'm really excited.- OK, here we go.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- OK, right.- So ease back on the stick gently, nice and gently.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38Wow, that is very sensitive.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41If you look to your left, at 11 o'clock, down low,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- you will see a runway.- I can.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- So if you look over there, now that's Yeovilton.- OK.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- That is where we are.- OK. Do you want me to land?
0:22:50 > 0:22:52We want to attempt to land there.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55If you come between... Straight, in a line down the runway.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Imagine you are in an aeroplane and you are going to go
0:22:57 > 0:22:59and do a regular landing.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Well, I've never done a regular landing in an aircraft.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03I would raise my left hand just a little inch
0:23:03 > 0:23:05cos we're going to fall short, I think.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- OK.- That's looking very good.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Lower your left hand.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Just gently.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Raise your left hand a little bit.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16A little bit more. Raise your left hand. Steady the impact.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Oh, no! No!
0:23:19 > 0:23:22OK, raise the lever a bit to about 30 or 40.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Now we are looking really good for a landing on that grass.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Raise this hand. Just an inch. Gently, gently. Gently.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Squeeze left pedal.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Beautiful. And let it land. Oh, I think we are down.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- We are on the grass.- How did we land?
0:23:36 > 0:23:39We're in trouble with the Commodore, but we're down.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44I've got to say, that was absolutely brilliant.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I've never done anything like that before in my life.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50A big thank you to John there for talking me through
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and getting me through my first simulated flight.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Well, that has certainly given me a taste for flying,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00and now it is time for the real thing.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04# Revvin' up your engine Listen to her howlin' roar
0:24:06 > 0:24:10# Metal under tension Beggin' you to touch and go. #
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Don't worry, I won't be flying,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I will be in the safe hands of Adam Rudkin, who I met earlier.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23# Right into the danger zone. #
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Today, we're flying over the base in a Lynx helicopter.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30The Lynx holds the world record as the fastest helicopter.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Given its age, I think that is quite remarkable, it really is.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Today, I am flying with pilot Adam and observer Laura, whose job
0:24:37 > 0:24:41it is to navigate and, in a conflict situation, release the arms.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Such a smooth flight today, perfect conditions.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51And the view is stunning.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I must say, Adam has got a great job here, our pilot.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Today has certainly given me a snapshot of what is involved
0:24:59 > 0:25:00in becoming a pilot in one
0:25:00 > 0:25:03of Europe's largest helicopter squadrons.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07And it is as challenging today as it was during 815's early days.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10And with the old Lynx finally nearing the end of its life,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14here at Yeovilton, the squadron will soon be entering a new era -
0:25:14 > 0:25:16the dawn of the Wildcat.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18But that is another story.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28We're back down on the ground at this extraordinary location
0:25:28 > 0:25:30with its fascinating history.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33With many men from the base currently on active service
0:25:33 > 0:25:38in Afghanistan, let's not forget the bravery of those left behind.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Singing for us today, we have Yeovilton Military Wives Choir.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48# Aaaah
0:25:59 > 0:26:03# Wherever you are
0:26:03 > 0:26:06# My love will keep you safe
0:26:06 > 0:26:09# My heart will build a bridge
0:26:09 > 0:26:13# Of light across both time and space
0:26:13 > 0:26:17# Wherever you are
0:26:17 > 0:26:20# Our hearts still beat as one
0:26:20 > 0:26:23# I hold you in my dreams each night
0:26:23 > 0:26:26# Until your task is done
0:26:26 > 0:26:29# Light after darkness
0:26:29 > 0:26:33# My wondrous star
0:26:33 > 0:26:36# Our hopes and dreams My heart and yours
0:26:36 > 0:26:39# Forever shining far
0:26:39 > 0:26:43# Light up the darkness
0:26:43 > 0:26:46# My prince of peace
0:26:46 > 0:26:49# May the stars shine all around you
0:26:49 > 0:26:52# May your courage
0:26:52 > 0:26:57# Never cease
0:26:57 > 0:27:01# Aaaah... #
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- Fabulous. Fabulous. - APPLAUSE
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Fabulous. Wasn't that great?
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- Pat.- Yes, Thomas. - I love this swagger stick.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30- I really like swagger sticks.- Yes. - In a former life,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I should have been sort of in the British Army, I think.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I can see you marching up and down with that under your arm!
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Why have you brought it in?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I've been itching to find out something about it.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46My husband bought it, I think, in an auction sale.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49It's one of those things that sort of appeared.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51My husband died 20 years ago.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56And because that's not my history, or even his history, it has no...
0:27:56 > 0:28:00- It's not a family thing.- No.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- Something he's purchased.- Yes.- OK.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Well, it's English cos we've got British hallmarks here.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11This dates from 1822. And 57 on there within a wreath.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- What does the 57 mean?- A regiment.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- OK.- So an infantry regiment.- Right.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21And the Albuhera, which I've looked up,
0:28:21 > 0:28:27and it's from the Peninsular War, 1811.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Got a bit of age to it.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32And this is obviously a foot soldier,
0:28:32 > 0:28:36one of the soldiers who were hugely outnumbered in this battle,
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- had this made post the battle... - As a sort of memento.- A memento.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46And regiments do. They have these battles on their coats of arms.
0:28:46 > 0:28:53This is... Is this a bamboo of some description? Very bendy.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Little silver ferrule on the end. I think it's delightful.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Have you got any idea of value?
0:28:58 > 0:29:03No, not really. Um... No, I haven't.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- It's probably worth, I would say, at least £50-80.- Yes.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- Would you be interested in selling it?- Yes, I think so.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Because it's not any good to me. Not really.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18- Somebody else will love this.- Yes. - Somebody else will collect this
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and it will end up with somebody who collects Peninsular War memorabilia.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26- In its good company. - It would be amongst friends.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29With regards to a reserve, I would suggest £50 with discretion.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- I was going to say that. - Were you?- I was.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Singing from the same hymn sheet. That's wonderful.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37While Thomas marches into the saleroom with that one,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41here's a speedy little number that's just up Charlie's street.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- I recognise this! This is a Model T Ford.- It is, indeed.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47What's the history of it, as far as you're concerned?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- I was given it when I was seven years old.- Seven?- Yeah, yeah.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55By a family friend who used to come down and see us once a year from Manchester and it
0:29:55 > 0:29:58kind of started me off from there and ended up with my collection.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01I ended up with almost 200 different Dinky and Matchbox toys.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07- Really? Have you still got them? - Unfortunately not. They've all gone now.- Why have you got rid of them?
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- My children have grown up and it was something they weren't interested in. - Weren't they?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15No, and girls being girls, they'd rather spend the money and have something.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19- There's daughters for you!- This one's always been my prized treasure. - Oh, no!
0:30:19 > 0:30:23I'm feeling guilty, sitting here. It comes from a TV series.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24Yes, so I understand.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27The Secret Service TV series with Gerry Anderson.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- I don't remember that one.- Well, 1970s. So you wouldn't, would you?
0:30:31 > 0:30:33No.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36I would, of course! The great thing is it has its box.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Was that true of all your collection?
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Pretty much most of them, yeah. I was always told to keep the box.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Clever man. The boxes themselves are worth money now.- Yeah.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47And the paintwork's good. You haven't driven it around much.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50No, it's never come out of that little card there.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- Has it never come out of the card? Well, I'm not going to do that now! - It's stayed in there all this time.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58One thing that intrigues me, did it ever have a steering wheel?
0:30:58 > 0:31:02- It never had a steering wheel when I had it. - Then I suspect it didn't have one.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06- I'm not sure if it ever came with one.- There doesn't seem to be a mark inside where the steering wheel
0:31:06 > 0:31:11- might have been.- No. - And there aren't any marks on his hands where there might have been.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16I'm not sufficiently expert enough in Dinky Toys to know whether this model had a steering wheel.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18I rather suspect it didn't.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- Right, OK. - Why do you want to sell it?
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Both my girls are off on their first school trips this year,
0:31:23 > 0:31:27which costs an arm and a leg anyway, and they want spending money.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- So it's like raid dad and... - What do you think it's worth?
0:31:31 > 0:31:34I've always thought it would be around £30-40.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- I think it's worth more than that. - Really? OK.
0:31:36 > 0:31:3930-40 is a conservative estimate.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43I'd like to see an estimate of 50-80 on it, really.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Right, OK.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47You reckon it's worth 30-40. I think it's worth 50-80.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51So we'll put an estimate of 50-80, but just to be safe,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- we'll put a reserve of 30.- OK.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- So that's your bottom line with which you'd be happy.- Yeah.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00- But I will be disappointed if it doesn't make 50-80.- Well, that'd be very good.- Is that a deal?
0:32:00 > 0:32:04- Yeah, gives them more spending money. - Splendid. Thank you very much indeed.- Thank you.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Dinky Toys and cuddly toys, everyone's come out to play today.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- I've thoroughly enjoyed it, actually. - Has he got a name, that teddy?
0:32:12 > 0:32:16- Yes, he's Charles Edward.- He's great, isn't he?- Thank you very much.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18'Well, I'd rather meet him
0:32:18 > 0:32:22'in battle than the original owner of our next item.'
0:32:22 > 0:32:27So, Pat, I love Japanese katanas, Samurai swords.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Tell me, why do you own this sword?
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I inherited it from my father, who took it as part of a debt.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- As part of a debt?- Yes.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- And what did your father do? - My father was a cycle dealer.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- A cycle dealer? Push-bike?- Yes.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- We used to make our own frames and that sort of thing.- Really?
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- Going back to the 1940-50s. - Fantastic.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Hand-built cycle frames at that time, of course, were the in thing.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00So your father took this as a bad debt. Was it always like this?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Exactly.- Nothing's been done?- Nope.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I wrote to the British Museum, cos I thought it was an awkward
0:33:05 > 0:33:08thing to take up there or put it through the post
0:33:08 > 0:33:12and they sent me back a document of appraisal of the whole thing.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Did they give you a date to the blade?
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- They reckoned roughly 500 years old. - OK. Super.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23This is what we call a katana - a long Samurai sword.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27The Samurai, a tribe of Japan, the highest tribe of Japan,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32wore these swords, with also another one - a wakizashi, a smaller blade.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36There are different components to it.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40So the blade, the tsuba, which is the guard, and then menuki,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44which is these mounts here, which are later in date.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47This bit which they've dated is called the tang.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49So you remove the little peg in the blade
0:33:49 > 0:33:54and it will all slide off and the tsuba will come out as well.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Here is what they've deciphered. - That's right.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03And you sent them photographs of the sword maker's name and the details.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Exactly.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09On here, you see the dragon, which is
0:34:09 > 0:34:12chasing the pearl of eternal life.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16This chase and the fight you see, sometimes there's two dragons
0:34:16 > 0:34:20and the flaming pearl is used in Japanese and Chinese art.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25It's quite rare to see a blade of this age in this country.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Normally, they've come back from the spoils of war.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31During the Second World War, after the surrender.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Now, Samurai were banned from wearing swords in
0:34:34 > 0:34:37the early 20th century, with the new emperor,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41and the Samurais were almost extinguished from their society.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45In that period, the Meiji period, they worked heavily on their art,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49such as these bits here, the menuki and the tsuba.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52What would have happened is that through 500 years,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56when this blade was first forged, the handle would have deteriorated.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59So these are late 19th century, early 20th century.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Am I right in assuming, as would the scabbard?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05The scabbard would have deteriorated.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06This isn't the original?
0:35:06 > 0:35:09This is a holding scabbard. We've presented it out like this,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12we've broken it down into its component parts.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15We've got to think of what it's worth.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- I think these items are collected separately too.- They are.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21You're quite right. Some of these are worth a lot of money.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23That one is a very nice tsuba.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26It's probably worth £300-500 just on its own.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- Yes, I'd say.- And these are worth a little bit of money on their own.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35- £300-500.- Yes.- The blade is probably worth £1,500-2,000 on its own.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40So I think an estimate of £2,000-3,000 is very sensible.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- Right.- What do you think? - I'm happy with that.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45With regards to reserve, I think
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- we need to sort of have a £2,000 reserve.- Right.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Possibly, I would suggest a little bit of discretion on it.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56So, £2,000-3,000 is the estimate and then the reserve at £2,000,
0:35:56 > 0:36:00- with a 10% discretion. - That's all right.- Is that all right?
0:36:00 > 0:36:01Yes, thank you.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05For me, the best thing I've seen all day, the best thing I've
0:36:05 > 0:36:08seen in a long time, because it's not just a sword, it's a culture.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10It's wonderful.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Absolutely, Thomas. Well, that's it.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15You've just seen it, our final item of the day,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18which means sadly it's time to say goodbye to the
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Fleet Air Arm Museum, our magnificent host location,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24as we go over to the auction room for the very last time today.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32The early 19th-century swagger stick should bring the military
0:36:32 > 0:36:34collectors out in force.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39And in such pristine condition,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42this little T Ford Dinky Toy should do a roaring trade.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48And will Pat's Samurai sword, originally given
0:36:48 > 0:36:51to his father as a debt repayment, make its money today?
0:36:54 > 0:36:55Before we put it to the test,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58I caught up with auctioneer Claire Rawle, who wanted to
0:36:58 > 0:37:04be 100% sure of its authenticity before she put it under the hammer.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I absolutely love this lot and I cannot wait for the auction.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10I really cannot. I want to see the top end plus, Claire!
0:37:10 > 0:37:14- Yeah, that would be good.- We've got £2,000-3,000 on this.- Yeah.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16- It's lovely.- It is. I must admit, when I initially saw it,
0:37:16 > 0:37:20I had a few concerns about it because it's so good.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21And there are so many...
0:37:21 > 0:37:24There were so many manufactured straight after
0:37:24 > 0:37:26the Second World War and so many copies about.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30You have to be very careful with Japanese swords, especially Samurai
0:37:30 > 0:37:34swords, it is the one area where there's very strict legislation.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Any copies that have been made purely as decorative items,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40it's actually against the law to sell.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41I certainly couldn't sell them.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45I stand a prison sentence and quite a big fine if I did it.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47So you have to be very careful with them.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Also, you have to be careful
0:37:48 > 0:37:52because there are some countries you just cannot export blades to.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56These, above a lot of other swords, particularly Japanese Samurai.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Patrick took this to the British Museum
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- and they said it is over 500 years old.- Yeah.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04So he had a good letter of provenance with this.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Yeah, he just couldn't find it when I spoke to him!
0:38:06 > 0:38:09But I also sent off images to a specialist in London.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- He was fine and he wishes us all the best.- It's all there, isn't it?
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Has there been a lot of interest?
0:38:15 > 0:38:20I think I'll have them lined up on the telephone and online as well cos the live bidding makes a difference.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22One of my guys is quite a long way away.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25He's the other side of the world, so he's getting quite excited about it.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30So are we. Whatever you do, don't go away. This could get really, really exciting.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Well, it's getting tense here on the front line of Tamlyns auction
0:38:33 > 0:38:36house where the bidders are battling it out at today's fine art
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and antique sale.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Pat, did you swagger into the auction room this morning?
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I bet you did! Are you confident?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48I was going to lend it to Thomas cos I thought it might suit him.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Well, I don't know about that. - I think it does, actually.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55He looks like an officer. Normally carried by a man in uniform.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- This is my uniform. - Oh! His auctioneer's uniform!
0:38:59 > 0:39:01From the Peninsular War!
0:39:01 > 0:39:05- Yes.- Anyway, good luck. - Thank you.- Here we go.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- It's going under the hammer right now.- Right.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Nice little item, 332. And I start away at £42.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15At £42. Do I see five anywhere? At 42.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- 45. 48.- Come on!- 50 in the room.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22At £50. Bid's in the room now. At £50. Now, do I see five? At £50.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Room bid, then. At 50.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28At 50, it's going to sell. Are you all done at £50?
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- Well, it's gone and it went rather quickly.- Yes, it did.- £50.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Yes, I thought it might have been of interest,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38but then, I suppose you've got to be of an age...
0:39:38 > 0:39:43Or have two or three bidders that really want it, to push each other, push those bids up a bit.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- Yes.- But it's gone. It's gone within estimate. We're happy.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Yeah, that's fine. I'm happy.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52A bargain, going for the lower end of Thomas' valuation.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Let's hope Charlie's Dinky car gets some mileage.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Going under the hammer right now, our little toy car,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01the Model T Ford belonging to Mike. You know the line, don't you?
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- You can have it in any colour you want...- It has to be black!
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Yeah.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12- Because black was the paint that dried the quickest.- Yeah.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16- Get them off the assembly line. - Get them out, yeah.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Anyway, good luck with this.
0:40:18 > 0:40:19Lot 232.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Little Dinky car here. There we are, with its box. The Model T Ford.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27It's got a little stand and everything with it. Lot 232.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30And I start away at £22. At 22, do I see five anywhere?
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Bid's with me at 22.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36At 22. At 22. Surely 25. At £22.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38At 22. 25. 28.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- £30.- Right, we're climbing.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45At £30. At £30, it is. Now, do I see two anywhere? The bid's at 30.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48All done. It's going to sell at £30.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Gone.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Gone for £30.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- You wanted it to go.- I did, yeah.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56And it was a gamble.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- I had it in my head around that price.- Had you?- Yeah, on the day.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03- You're not too disappointed.- No. Not at all.- Job done, then.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Well, our last two items haven't made quite as much as we might
0:41:07 > 0:41:11have hoped. Fingers crossed now for one of the rarest pieces we've
0:41:11 > 0:41:12seen on Flog It!.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16Well, I know Thomas and Patrick have been looking forward to this moment.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18You know what's going under the hammer.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23We are in the cutting edge of the saleroom with this Samurai sword, which is around 500 years old.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27I had a chat to Claire and she actually endorsed what you said -
0:41:27 > 0:41:28it is right.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30The blade is the important thing in this.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34The mounts also make it, but the blade is 500 years old
0:41:34 > 0:41:37and you look at the way it's been folded, you have that
0:41:37 > 0:41:40temper on the blade and all the mounts, the tsubas are wonderful.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43We're going to put it to the test right now.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44It's going under the hammer.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48This is the Japanese katana. Going to start it away at £1,300.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53At 1,300. Do I see 1,400 anywhere? At 1,300.
0:41:53 > 0:41:551,400 on the net. 15 with me.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58At £1,500. At 15. 16 on the net.
0:41:58 > 0:42:0117 with me. At £1,700 with me.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04At 17, 18, 1,900 with me.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06At 1,900. 2,000 on the internet.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10- Now on the internet.- We've got it, Patrick!
0:42:10 > 0:42:12At 2,000. Do I see 2,200 anywhere?
0:42:12 > 0:42:15At £2,000, the bid's on the internet.
0:42:15 > 0:42:172,200, if you want it, on the phone.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20£2,000 on the internet. Do you want to go 2,200?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Yes, we've got 2,200.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26At 2,200. 2,400 on the internet? 2,400 on the internet.
0:42:26 > 0:42:282,600 is the next bid.
0:42:28 > 0:42:322,600 on the telephone. At 2,600 on the phone.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34At 2,600. 2,800 on the internet.
0:42:34 > 0:42:363,000?
0:42:36 > 0:42:393,000 on the telephone?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Take 2,900.
0:42:41 > 0:42:452,900. I'll take 3,000 on the internet, then.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47At 2,900 on the telephone. 3,000, he says.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49At 3,000. Next bid will be 3,200.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51No?
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- At £3,000...- Well done, Thomas.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55At £3,000, it's all done.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59It's going to sell to the internet bid at £3,000.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03We did it. How about that? What a great result!
0:43:03 > 0:43:04Quality, quality, quality.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- You've got to be over the moon. - I'm over the moon.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11- You'd have taken the bottom end of that estimate.- I would have.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14What a way to end a show. Patrick, you've put a big smile on our faces
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and we've seen absolute quality. Well done, Thomas.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Well done, Claire. I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23We've had a marvellous time here in Somerset. I cannot wait to come back.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26But until then, it's goodbye from all of us.