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Catalogue for our Sir Barnes Wallis 'Dam Busters' Collection auction to be held on Wednesday 25th of March 2026

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  • A pair of cross section plans of the Mohne Dam to illustrate the intended path of the Upkeep mine stencilled "CROSS SECTION OF MOHNE DAM" and "CROSS SECTION OF UPPER PART OF MOHNE DAM". The main dam plan displaying a blue mine against the dam freeboard and another example of the red mine further down at 30 metre depth (the detonation point). The water has been added with a cumbersome blue crayon/pencil, the torpedo nets indicated by a yellow crayon buoy. At the top of the plan is a pencilled skimming bounce motion and there are pencilled formulae to the centre of the plan. A label bottom right stating Dr. Barnes Wallis used the plan to brief 617 Squadron on the night of the raid. Plan framed 83cm h x 109cm w (unframed x 73cm h x 100.5cm) The upper dam plan details a close up view of the mine striking the freeboard of the dam, the water side in coloured blue crayon, and then another depiction of a red mine at 30 metres depth - a light red pencil indicates 'detonation depth'. Plan framed 82cm h x 94cm w, (73cm h x 84.5cm w unframed) Both plans label to verso "loaned to RAF Museum by Sir Barnes Wallis" together with RAF stock label circa 1971.

144

A pair of cross section plans of the Mohne Dam to illustrate the intended path of the Upkeep mine stencilled "CROSS SECTION OF MOHNE DAM" and "CROSS SECTION OF UPPER PART OF MOHNE DAM". The main dam plan displaying a blue mine against the dam freeboard and another example of the red mine further down at 30 metre depth (the detonation point). The water has been added with a cumbersome blue crayon/pencil, the torpedo nets indicated by a yellow crayon buoy. At the top of the plan is a pencilled skimming bounce motion and there are pencilled formulae to the centre of the plan. A label bottom right stating Dr. Barnes Wallis used the plan to brief 617 Squadron on the night of the raid. Plan framed 83cm h x 109cm w (unframed x 73cm h x 100.5cm) The upper dam plan details a close up view of the mine striking the freeboard of the dam, the water side in coloured blue crayon, and then another depiction of a red mine at 30 metres depth - a light red pencil indicates 'detonation depth'. Plan framed 82cm h x 94cm w, (73cm h x 84.5cm w unframed) Both plans label to verso "loaned to RAF Museum by Sir Barnes Wallis" together with RAF stock label circa 1971. £10000-15000
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  • PIAGGIO, H. T. H. Differential Equations - An Elementary Treatise on Differential Equations and Their Applications. London: Bell 1942 8vo 259pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. Notepaper with pencilled triangles to page 47. Minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. Signed B.N. Wallis

145

PIAGGIO, H. T. H. Differential Equations - An Elementary Treatise on Differential Equations and Their Applications. London: Bell 1942 8vo 259pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. Notepaper with pencilled triangles to page 47. Minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. Signed B.N. Wallis £200-300
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  • MANLEY R.G. Fundamentals of Vibration Study. London: Chapman & Hall Ltd. 1942. 8vo, 128pp. Original red cloth, gilt lettered spine. Some fading to spine, minor rubbing to corners. First Published 1942. Initialled B.N.W. Sept. 1942

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MANLEY R.G. Fundamentals of Vibration Study. London: Chapman & Hall Ltd. 1942. 8vo, 128pp. Original red cloth, gilt lettered spine. Some fading to spine, minor rubbing to corners. First Published 1942. Initialled B.N.W. Sept. 1942 £100-150
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  • Composed by the Fluid Motion Panel of the Aeronautical Research Committee and Others, edited by S Goldstein, Modern Developments in Fluid Dynamics Volume I. Oxford: At The Clarenden Press. 8vo, 330pp. Original blue cloth with gilt lettered spine. Fading to spine and cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. First Edition 1943. Some underlined text and written notes in pencil on page 327 and notes to page 329 together with a note with hand written equations.

147

Composed by the Fluid Motion Panel of the Aeronautical Research Committee and Others, edited by S Goldstein, Modern Developments in Fluid Dynamics Volume I. Oxford: At The Clarenden Press. 8vo, 330pp. Original blue cloth with gilt lettered spine. Fading to spine and cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. First Edition 1943. Some underlined text and written notes in pencil on page 327 and notes to page 329 together with a note with hand written equations. £200-300
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  • Modern Developments in Fluid Dynamics Volume II. Oxford: Clarendon Press 1943. Lg. 8vo, 702pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. On page 601 is a taped folded handwritten page detailing notes and formulae titled "Heat Transfer, Laminar Motion". Fading to spine and cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine.

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Modern Developments in Fluid Dynamics Volume II. Oxford: Clarendon Press 1943. Lg. 8vo, 702pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. On page 601 is a taped folded handwritten page detailing notes and formulae titled "Heat Transfer, Laminar Motion". Fading to spine and cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. £600-800
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  • Barnes Wallis' facsimile copy of the 617 Squadron Grant of Arms granted in March 1944. The badge symbolises the successful attack on the dams in May 1943 with the lightning flashes symbolising the three dams attacked. The French motto "Apres Moi Le Deluge" translating as "After me the flood". The paper is creased and stained and framed in a contemporary 1940's perspex frame with green border 18cm h x 15cm w

149

Barnes Wallis' facsimile copy of the 617 Squadron Grant of Arms granted in March 1944. The badge symbolises the successful attack on the dams in May 1943 with the lightning flashes symbolising the three dams attacked. The French motto "Apres Moi Le Deluge" translating as "After me the flood". The paper is creased and stained and framed in a contemporary 1940's perspex frame with green border 18cm h x 15cm w £400-600
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  • Two black and white oak framed aerial photographic prints of the Mohne Dam before and after the Operation Chastise "Dam Busters" strike on May 16th 1943, the post strike photograph signed by surviving members of 617 Squadron also ground crew and admin staff, notably Wg Cdr Guy Gibson V.C DSO DFC whose signature is direct centre over the water rushing through the breach in the dam. 105cm h x 105cm w (89.5cm h x 89.5cm w unframed)

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Two black and white oak framed aerial photographic prints of the Mohne Dam before and after the Operation Chastise "Dam Busters" strike on May 16th 1943, the post strike photograph signed by surviving members of 617 Squadron also ground crew and admin staff, notably Wg Cdr Guy Gibson V.C DSO DFC whose signature is direct centre over the water rushing through the breach in the dam. 105cm h x 105cm w (89.5cm h x 89.5cm w unframed) £10000-15000
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  • A Commander Of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, Civil Division silver gilt neck badge, 2nd Type, with original ribbon, by Garrard and Co Ltd, awarded to Sir Barnes Wallis in 1943, contained in original black fitted case with gilt lettering.

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A Commander Of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, Civil Division silver gilt neck badge, 2nd Type, with original ribbon, by Garrard and Co Ltd, awarded to Sir Barnes Wallis in 1943, contained in original black fitted case with gilt lettering. £500-600
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  • A wooden model of Tallboy (Medium) Bomb 32cm, raised on a mahogany stand with brass plaque marked Tallboy (Medium) 12,000 LB. 1/20 scale. The Tallboy was the first bomb Wallis designed after the success of the bouncing bomb. The bomb was so large, there were no aircraft capable of lifting it to its optimal altitude but it could be dropped from a lower height and would enter the earth at near supersonic speed, penetrating to a depth of up to 20m before exploding. The Tallboy was used on strategic German targets such as V-2 rocket launch sites, the V-3 supergun bunker, submarine pens and the battleship Tirpitz, as well as large civil constructions such as viaducts and bridges

152

A wooden model of Tallboy (Medium) Bomb 32cm, raised on a mahogany stand with brass plaque marked Tallboy (Medium) 12,000 LB. 1/20 scale. The Tallboy was the first bomb Wallis designed after the success of the bouncing bomb. The bomb was so large, there were no aircraft capable of lifting it to its optimal altitude but it could be dropped from a lower height and would enter the earth at near supersonic speed, penetrating to a depth of up to 20m before exploding. The Tallboy was used on strategic German targets such as V-2 rocket launch sites, the V-3 supergun bunker, submarine pens and the battleship Tirpitz, as well as large civil constructions such as viaducts and bridges £400-600
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  • A Sheffield stainless steel pocket knife by Southern and Richardson having mother of pearl handle and blade stamped Immaculate Stainless (found within the Tallboy bomb model whilst cataloguing).

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A Sheffield stainless steel pocket knife by Southern and Richardson having mother of pearl handle and blade stamped Immaculate Stainless (found within the Tallboy bomb model whilst cataloguing). £70-90
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  • A wooden model of The Grand Slam Bomb (medium capacity) 22,000 LB (10,000 kilogrammes earthquake bomb) raised on a turned wooden stand 17cm x 7cm. The Grand Slam was the second bomb Wallis designed after the success of the bouncing bomb. The bomb was even larger than the Tallboy and there was still no aircraft capable of lifting it to its optimal altitude. Like the Tallboy it could be dropped from a lower height and would enter the earth at near supersonic speed, penetrating to a depth of up to 20m before exploding. The Grand Slam was also used on strategic German targets such as V-2 rocket launch sites, the V-3 supergun bunker, submarine pens and the battleship Tirpitz, as well as large civil constructions such as viaducts and bridges.

154

A wooden model of The Grand Slam Bomb (medium capacity) 22,000 LB (10,000 kilogrammes earthquake bomb) raised on a turned wooden stand 17cm x 7cm. The Grand Slam was the second bomb Wallis designed after the success of the bouncing bomb. The bomb was even larger than the Tallboy and there was still no aircraft capable of lifting it to its optimal altitude. Like the Tallboy it could be dropped from a lower height and would enter the earth at near supersonic speed, penetrating to a depth of up to 20m before exploding. The Grand Slam was also used on strategic German targets such as V-2 rocket launch sites, the V-3 supergun bunker, submarine pens and the battleship Tirpitz, as well as large civil constructions such as viaducts and bridges. £400-600
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  • A black and white photograph of the grave of Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO DFC, contained in a cream and red Bakelite table frame 15cm x 15cm x 5cm, the grave is situated in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Steenbergen-en-Kruisland, Netherlands. The photograph is visible in photos of Sir Barnes Wallis' office on top of a bookcase. A colour photo of the pair of graves of Gibson and his navigator, Squadron Leader Jim Warwick DFC, was found in the frame and is also included. Gibson and Warwick died on 19th September 1944 when their Mosquito aircraft crashed in Holland.

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A black and white photograph of the grave of Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO DFC, contained in a cream and red Bakelite table frame 15cm x 15cm x 5cm, the grave is situated in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Steenbergen-en-Kruisland, Netherlands. The photograph is visible in photos of Sir Barnes Wallis' office on top of a bookcase. A colour photo of the pair of graves of Gibson and his navigator, Squadron Leader Jim Warwick DFC, was found in the frame and is also included. Gibson and Warwick died on 19th September 1944 when their Mosquito aircraft crashed in Holland. £500-700
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  • 11 vols. A series of Oliver and Boyd Ltd University Mathematical Texts. Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd. To include :- COULSON, C. A. Waves A Mathematical Account of The Common Types of Wave Motion 1944, 156pp. Third Edition. GILLESPIE R. P. Integration 1945. 122pp. Third Edition. McCREA, William H. Analytical Geometry of Three Dimensions 1945. 144pp. Second Impression. AITKIN A. C. Statistical Mathematics 1945. 153pp. Fourth Edition. HYSLOP J. M. Infinite Series 1945. 118pp. Second Edition. PHILLIPS E. G. Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications 1946. Fourth Edition. RUTHERFORD, D. E. Vector Methods Applied to Differential Geometry, Mechanics and Potential Theory 1946. 135pp. Fourth Edition. TURNBULL H. W. Theory of Equations 1946. 166pp. Third Edition. INCE, E. L. Integration of Ordinary Differential Equations 1946. 146pp. Fourth Edition. AITKIN, A. C. Determinants and Matrices 1946. 143pp. Fourth Edition. SPAIN, Barry. Tensor Calculus 1953. 125pp. All 12mo, with original dust covers, most faded, some tears in places, blue cloth with gilt lettered spines.

200

11 vols. A series of Oliver and Boyd Ltd University Mathematical Texts. Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd. To include :- COULSON, C. A. Waves A Mathematical Account of The Common Types of Wave Motion 1944, 156pp. Third Edition. GILLESPIE R. P. Integration 1945. 122pp. Third Edition. McCREA, William H. Analytical Geometry of Three Dimensions 1945. 144pp. Second Impression. AITKIN A. C. Statistical Mathematics 1945. 153pp. Fourth Edition. HYSLOP J. M. Infinite Series 1945. 118pp. Second Edition. PHILLIPS E. G. Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications 1946. Fourth Edition. RUTHERFORD, D. E. Vector Methods Applied to Differential Geometry, Mechanics and Potential Theory 1946. 135pp. Fourth Edition. TURNBULL H. W. Theory of Equations 1946. 166pp. Third Edition. INCE, E. L. Integration of Ordinary Differential Equations 1946. 146pp. Fourth Edition. AITKIN, A. C. Determinants and Matrices 1946. 143pp. Fourth Edition. SPAIN, Barry. Tensor Calculus 1953. 125pp. All 12mo, with original dust covers, most faded, some tears in places, blue cloth with gilt lettered spines. £100-150
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  • Seven volumes of 1940's Royal United Service Institution Journals, to include November '42, August '44, May '45, May '46, August '46, (written to front cover Tizard's address. initialled B.N.W), May '47, August '47

201

Seven volumes of 1940's Royal United Service Institution Journals, to include November '42, August '44, May '45, May '46, August '46, (written to front cover Tizard's address. initialled B.N.W), May '47, August '47 £50-75
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  • 4 vols. Engineering volumes to include Pippard, A.J.S. The Experimental Study of Structures 1947, 8vo, 114pp. blue cloth, white lettering with dust cover, marked B.N. Wallis From the author 1947 to endpaper. Hunsaker Engineering Applications of Fluid Mechanics 1947, 8vo, 494pp. green cloth, gilt lettering, initialled B.N.W. to endpaper. Churchill Modern Operation of Mathematics in Engineering 1944, 8vo, 306pp. black cloth, gilt lettering, signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper and Fairhurst Arch Design Simplified 1945, 8vo, 61pp blue cloth, gilt lettering, initialled B.N.W 1946 to endpaper

202

4 vols. Engineering volumes to include Pippard, A.J.S. The Experimental Study of Structures 1947, 8vo, 114pp. blue cloth, white lettering with dust cover, marked B.N. Wallis From the author 1947 to endpaper. Hunsaker Engineering Applications of Fluid Mechanics 1947, 8vo, 494pp. green cloth, gilt lettering, initialled B.N.W. to endpaper. Churchill Modern Operation of Mathematics in Engineering 1944, 8vo, 306pp. black cloth, gilt lettering, signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper and Fairhurst Arch Design Simplified 1945, 8vo, 61pp blue cloth, gilt lettering, initialled B.N.W 1946 to endpaper £80-120
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  • MITRA S. K. The Upper Atmosphere, Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal Calcutta 1948, endpaper signed B.N. Wallis, 8vo, 616pp. Original blue cloth gilt and black lettering, some minor rubbing to edges of corners and spine. 4 Wallis bookmarks offering thoughts and corrections

203

MITRA S. K. The Upper Atmosphere, Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal Calcutta 1948, endpaper signed B.N. Wallis, 8vo, 616pp. Original blue cloth gilt and black lettering, some minor rubbing to edges of corners and spine. 4 Wallis bookmarks offering thoughts and corrections £200-300
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  • A collection of 3 binders of Restricted Information including Ministry of Aircraft Production Design Requirements for Aeroplanes in 2 binders Air Publication 970, dated November 1946, Vol 1 with pastedown taped in copy letter dated 1st. November 1946, both volumes with taped in Note to Readers and 1 binder Ministry of Technology Technical Procedural Requirements of Service Aircraft and Their Equipment dated March 1949

204

A collection of 3 binders of Restricted Information including Ministry of Aircraft Production Design Requirements for Aeroplanes in 2 binders Air Publication 970, dated November 1946, Vol 1 with pastedown taped in copy letter dated 1st. November 1946, both volumes with taped in Note to Readers and 1 binder Ministry of Technology Technical Procedural Requirements of Service Aircraft and Their Equipment dated March 1949 £80-120
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  • A Rototherm Thermometer with black dial marked Tungum Sales Co. Ltd. Fahrenheit British Patent No. 378314, contained in a red Bakelite case 8.5cm x 8.5cm.

205

A Rototherm Thermometer with black dial marked Tungum Sales Co. Ltd. Fahrenheit British Patent No. 378314, contained in a red Bakelite case 8.5cm x 8.5cm. £100-150
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  • CONWAY H.D., Aircraft Strength and Materials, London: Chapman and Hall 1947, 8vo, 256pp., Original blue cloth with gilt lettered spine, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine, Vickers-Armstrongs stamped to title page within a page of handwritten formulae

206

CONWAY H.D., Aircraft Strength and Materials, London: Chapman and Hall 1947, 8vo, 256pp., Original blue cloth with gilt lettered spine, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine, Vickers-Armstrongs stamped to title page within a page of handwritten formulae £100-150
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  • A collection of 7 post-war pamphlets and a document including:- Some Ballistic Contributions to Aerodynamics (initialled B.N.W. to paper cover) 1947, Scientific Man-Power 1946, Report on The Needs of Research in Fundamental Science After the War 1945, 61pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper, The Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics Vol II Part 1 March 1949, initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, The Institution of Electrical Engineers initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, Smith Maxwell and O'Farrell M, Aviation fuel, 1954 initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, together with a typed document "Post-War Aviation" (undated with maps)

207

A collection of 7 post-war pamphlets and a document including:- Some Ballistic Contributions to Aerodynamics (initialled B.N.W. to paper cover) 1947, Scientific Man-Power 1946, Report on The Needs of Research in Fundamental Science After the War 1945, 61pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper, The Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics Vol II Part 1 March 1949, initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, The Institution of Electrical Engineers initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, Smith Maxwell and O'Farrell M, Aviation fuel, 1954 initialled B.N.W. to paper cover, together with a typed document "Post-War Aviation" (undated with maps) £60-80
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  • A 1950's oak framed "Table III - Table of the Standard Atmosphere Below 100,000 ft", 36cm h x 43cm w

208

A 1950's oak framed "Table III - Table of the Standard Atmosphere Below 100,000 ft", 36cm h x 43cm w £100-150
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  • BALY, E. C. C. Spectroscopy, Text-Books of Physical Chemistry, Volumes I, II and III. London: Longmans, Green and Co 1924 (vol I) marked purchased secondhand 1.3.48, 1927 (vol II) marked received 5.4.48, 1927 (vol III) marked purchased second hand 1.3.48. Vol I 8vo, 298pp, vol II 8vo, 398pp and vol III 8vo, 532pp. All in original red cloth, black lettered spine. Rubbing to corners and edges of spines.

209

BALY, E. C. C. Spectroscopy, Text-Books of Physical Chemistry, Volumes I, II and III. London: Longmans, Green and Co 1924 (vol I) marked purchased secondhand 1.3.48, 1927 (vol II) marked received 5.4.48, 1927 (vol III) marked purchased second hand 1.3.48. Vol I 8vo, 298pp, vol II 8vo, 398pp and vol III 8vo, 532pp. All in original red cloth, black lettered spine. Rubbing to corners and edges of spines. £70-90
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  • PYE. D.R., The Internal Combustion Engine Volume I, London: Oxford University Press Humphrey Milford 1930 (1946 reprint), Lg. 8vo, 288pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. Fading to spine and front cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. with D.A.R.D. Library label stamp dated 23 January 1970 and Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd stamp to title page

210

PYE. D.R., The Internal Combustion Engine Volume I, London: Oxford University Press Humphrey Milford 1930 (1946 reprint), Lg. 8vo, 288pp. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spine. Fading to spine and front cover, minor rubbing to corners and edges of spine. with D.A.R.D. Library label stamp dated 23 January 1970 and Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd stamp to title page £30-40
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  • Lieber, Lillian R. The Einstein Theory of Relativity, Dobson London 1949, hardback with unclipped dustcover, 8vo, 324pp. blue cloth, gilt lettering. Vickers-Armstrongs Library stamp to title and back pages

211

Lieber, Lillian R. The Einstein Theory of Relativity, Dobson London 1949, hardback with unclipped dustcover, 8vo, 324pp. blue cloth, gilt lettering. Vickers-Armstrongs Library stamp to title and back pages £40-60
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  • Pifco, a Pifco signalling torch

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Pifco, a Pifco signalling torch £50-75
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