*British, WW2, RAF, Air Ministry “Aldis” Signal Lamp, Boxed, Stores Ref. 5A/396*
A scarce Second World War Royal Air Force Air Ministry signal lamp, of Aldis pattern, housed in its original fitted wooden storage and transit box. The lamp is constructed in black-painted steel with a cylindrical body, large clear optical lens, central reflector, and bulb, mounted in a cradle with side supports and an insulated turned-wood handle. The rear retains its original cable for connection to a power supply. The lamp sits in its purpose-built wooden box, black-painted with a leather strap handle and green baize-lined fittings.
The box carries the clear A crown M Air Ministry property stamp to one side, and to the other the stamped 5A/396 stores reference. The interior lid carries an impressed inspection stamp. Box measures approx. 30.5 cm wide × 24 cm deep × 20 cm tall.
Historical Note:
The Air Ministry Stores system classified lighting and signalling equipment under section 5A, with each item given an individual catalogue number. The number 5A/396 is recorded in Air Ministry documentation and by the Imperial War Museum as the official stores reference for the RAF Aldis Signal Lamp Set of the Second World War. The Aldis lamp, originally developed by the Aldis Brothers, became the RAF’s standard equipment for visual signalling, allowing communication between air and ground stations or between aircraft when radio silence was essential.
Comparable boxed examples of the 5A/396 set are held in the Imperial War Museum collection, confirming both the identification and wartime issue. Joseph Lucas Ltd. of Birmingham, amongst others, is recorded as a manufacturer under Air Ministry contract.
*Condition*
The lamp remains in very good overall condition with much of its original black paint finish, clear intact lens, cradle, handle, and cabling. The wooden box shows expected surface wear, scuffs, and scratches from service use, but retains its fittings and impressed marks. The green baize pads are worn but present. Offered untested, for display or collection. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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