Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful WWII era British aluminum bell created for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The bell is decorated with the three heads of the Wartime leaders (Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt) cast onto the sides of the bell, around the edge of the bell there is a cast inscription, RAF BENEVOLENT FUND, CAST IN METAL FROM GERMAN AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN OVER BRITAIN 1939-1945, the handle of the bell has a raised ‘V’ on each side for “Victory”. The clapper is attached to a ring on the inside of the bell. some oxidation of the surfaces.
These were designed by an American engineering consultant, Conrad A Parlanti, cast using metal from German Luftwaffe aircraft shot down over Britain between 1939 and 1945 and sold to raise funds for the Royal Air Force Benevolent fund. Some of the first bells manufactured were auctioned by Chesney Allen of ‘Flanagan and Allen’ fame during the first Battle of Britain anniversary dinners at the Hungaria restaurant shortly after VE Day.
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force’s leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF – regardless of rank – as well as their partners and dependents.
They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide range of issues: from childcare and relationship difficulties to injury and disability, and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement. Any member of the RAF family can approach the fund for help, which includes serving and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependents.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.