Lot 1189
U.S.A.F. COLONEL WILLIAM S. CLARKE VIETNAM GROUPING
Large collection of uniform items, ephemera and artifacts related to the Vietnam War service of United States Air Force colonel WILLIAM S. CLARKE, who flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam and ten over Laos, all in the RF-4C Phantom II fighter as part of the 14th Tactical Recon Squadron. Includes: rare and very desirable Randall fighting knife, 7" blade, 11 3/4" overall, with a brass hilt, a leather washer grip and an aluminum pommel fitted with a leather wrist thong, marked on the obverse of the ricasso with Clarke''s surname and serial number, and on reverse with the manufacturer''s mark "Randall Made Orlando, Fla." between two scimitars. The knife is housed in its original Randall-marked brown leather sheath with whetstone pouch. Shows minor verdigris and wear from use, else very good. WITH: MA-1 flight jacket of sage green nylon with a blaze orange lining, bearing plastic-covered Colonel''s eagle insignia at the shoulders. The jacket also bears three embroidered patches, one representing the Tactical Air Command, the second depicting the RF-4c, and the third honoring 100 missions over North Vietnam in that aircraft. Shows some tears and holes to the elastic knit collar, waist and cuffs, else very good. WITH: U.S.A.F. Coveralls, Flying, Man''s, CWU-27/P, of sage green nylon, bearing embroidered Colonel''s insignia eagle patches at the shoulders, and with an F-4 "100 Missions" patch in the style of a playing card beneath an embroidered "North Vietnam" title on the left-hand sleeve. Very good. WITH: Coverall, Flying, Man''s, Very Light K-2B, of orange nylon, bearing plastic covered major''s oak leaf insignia on the shoulders. The jacket also bears three embroidered patches, one representing the 59th, Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the second an Air Defense Command "Expert" patch, and the third depicting an F-102 Delta Dart fighter. Clarke flew the F-102 with the 58th in Labrador prior to his service in Vietnam. One or two small holes, else very good. WITH: Olive drab long-sleeve fatigue shirt, bearing Clarke''s cloth name tag on the left breast. Very good. WITH: U.S.A.F. Raincoat, Man''s, Lightweight, Blue, with Clarke''s Name, ranks and serial number inscribed on cloth label inside. Very good. WITH: White and black double breasted dress jackets, both with Tactical Air Command buttons, with black dress trousers. Very good. WITH: map section, approx. 28 3/4" x 14", untitled but depicting a sector of North Vietnam near Ha Long Bay, trimmed at the edges and heavily annotated with colored markers, likely indicating regular reconnaissance patrol routes and other areas of interest. Folds, else very good. WITH: spiral-bound U.S.A.F. Flight Crew Check Lists book, with pages protected by plastic pouches, presented to Clarke by an ex-member of the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Very good. WITH: U.S. Compass, Magnetic, and U.S. Model 1949 wrist compass, with U.S.-issue plastic match case, all very good. WITH: seven additional loose embroidered cloth patches, including the insignia of the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, the Tactical Air Command, two Air Defense Command "Expert", patches, two depicting the F-102 Delta Dart, and a cloth name label bearing Clarke''s surname. All very good. WITH: one color 8"x 10" photograph, showing an RF-4C over Vietnam, as well as two 8" x 10" negatives, one an aerial view of a bomb detonation and the other showing a missile in flight, all very good. Also present is Clarke''s self-published memoir, "In Search of Deadalus", 476pp. 4to., signed and inscribed on the front flyleaf in black ink, setting forth provenance for the Randall fighting knife. 26 pieces overall. A superlative grouping from an extraordinary military aviator!
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |