WW2 USN USMC BuAero AVIATOR FLASHLIGHT ("DELTA ELEC.”) & USN Tie-Tie. Near Mint!

Description: WWII USN / USMC Aviator's Mid-war (1943 and later) FLASHLIGHT, WATERTIGHT, ("U.S.N.” and “DELTA ELECTRIC CO.”) with Wire-Loop HANGER and a laid, 3-strand, 1/4" Cotton Cord USN/USMC "Tie Tie" with metal-seized ends. This is a WORKING light from the DELTA ELECTRIC CO. of Marion, Indiana!!! NEAR MINT+++ This is a STRUCTURALLY sound, corrosion-free, COSMETICALLY superb example, that FIRES and LIGHTS!! + Wartime examples of this U.S.N. Flashlight are far more SCARCE than any of the TL-122 (metal or plastic) Flashlights! + NOTE!! This particular model was introduced, mid-war in AUGUST 1943. This is NOT the current, superficially similar MX-993/U model (which has the distinctive Switch "Guards") still issued by the U.S. Navy to Aviators and Sailors. These were carried aloft by USN USMC Carrier Aviators, and appear in "carrier ready room" photographs of the men being briefed before missions with these straight cylindrical Flashlights suspended from their Life Vests by white cotton USN/USMC "Tie-Ties" Aviators in Douglas SDB 'Dauntless' Dive Bombers; Douglas TBD 'Devastator' Torpedo Bombers; Grumman F4F 'Wildcat Fighters; Grumman TBF 'Avenger' Torpedo Bombers; Consolidated PBY Catalina' Long-Range Maritime Patrol Flying Boat; Brewster F2A 'Buffalo' Fighter.The early "battleship gray" plastic material used is similar to that used in the Army's TL-122-B and TL-122-C; over time it exudes a white, 'waxy,' foul-smelling residue. There is virtually ZERO on this example! + ZERO scratches, cracks, discoloration, or 'exuded residue' to the CYLINDRICAL BODY. + ZERO major scratches, cracks, 'crazing,' or discoloration to the clear CONVEX "Fish Eye" LENS. + ZERO flaking, corrosion to the chromed REFLECTOR GLOBE. + ZERO degradation to the flexible, waterproof RUBBER GASKETS (for LENS CAP, the END CAP, and 'On/Off' SWITCH). + ZERO problems with the internal COPPER WIRING, CONTACTS, and battery cap SPRING. + The Slider 'On/Off' SWITCH moves freely. + Well-marked in molded raised lettering on the body itself:U.S.N.DELTA ELECTRIC CO. MARION INDIANA U.S.A + Marked in molded raised lettering on the Battery End Cap:DELTA + The Steel WIRE LOOP HANGER folds smoothly in and out of the recessed slots on the Battery End Cap. This model was entirely "watertight", with black RUBBER GASKETS beneath the SWITCH, the BATTERY END CAP and the clear CONVEX "FISH-EYE" LENS CAP! The protruding Convex Lens provided a softer diffuse light, rather than the focused beam of tradition lens of uniform thickness, that created stark shadows when reading charts in a darkened cockpit. This particular 'watertight' model was manufactured, with slight variations by three different contractors during the war: the DELTA ELECTRIC CO., the FULTON MFG. CORP., and the BMG (Bridgeport Metal Goods Mfg. Co.). Today, a version of this model of this is still in use: the "MX-993/U" -- the 'U' standing for 'underwater' -- which differs primarily from this WWII model, which lacks the current addition of 'guards' flanking the 'On/Off' switch. *****In September of 1913 local capitalists in Marion, Indiana purchased a half interest in Delta Electric Co., Inc., located in Chicago, Illinois, and moved the company to Marion. The company was reorganized as Delta Electric Co., and capitalized at $25,000. One of the company's earliest products was, what was claimed to be, the first battery-powered portable electric hand lantern. This lantern used a single 1.5 volt #6 dry cell battery (6" tall x 2.5" diameter). By 1916, the company was making 15 varieties of electric lanterns and flashlights, filling orders as large as an order for 200,000 pocket flashlights for one concern. Along with other electrical devices, they manufactured pay telephones which were exported to the Canadian market. During WW1, Delta engaged in the production of lighting devices for government use. Several of these were of special types made to Army and Navy specifications. After WW1, the company resumed full production for the civilian market. By this time they were making automobile spotlights and switches, bicycle lights, flashlights, boat lamps, buggy lights, and hand lamps and lanterns. They were also making batteries for their lights and lanterns. The company was producing 25 distinct products and turning out over 1,000,000 articles a year. Their products were being shipped to Canada, Mexico, South America, England, and Europe. During 1922 as commercial radio broadcasting advanced and radio sets came onto the market, Delta added radio earphones to their other electrical product lines. In 1933, Delta introduced the item that became their single most well-known product when they started producing the 6 volt two reflector "Powerlite". This lantern would continue to be made through the 1930s and during the 1940s, when it was made for the military. Powerlite production continued through the 1950s and 1960s, and into the early 1970s. The mid-1930s saw the development of the electric bicycle horn, which was added to their line of bicycle lamps and accessories, Delta lanterns, truck and bus lighting equipment, warning signals, sockets, connectors, switches, and other similar devices. At this time the line-up of hand lanterns included the "Redbird", "Apollolite", "Husky", "Silverlite", "Wildcat", "Juniorlite", "Buddy", and "Marionette". Bicycle lights included the "Nighthawk", "Tarzan", "Clipper", "Silver Knight", and "Sportster". Delta also produced the "Flashing Powerflare", used for construction site barricades and as road-side warning lights for truck breakdowns. Electric switches and lighting devices were made for Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. With the onset of WW2, production once more reverted to military equipment for the government. Devices made included life preserver lights, signal gun lights, Navy watertight flashlights, Navy watertight lanterns for ship crew compartments, life raft float lights, aircraft gunnery tow target lamps, blinker lights, Navy running lights and battle lamps, aircraft recognition lights, parachute cargo dropping lights, debarkation beach marker lights, flashing flares, along with numerous control devices electric junction boxes. With the end of WW2, regular commercial production resumed. Several military devices were adapted to civilian use. Other products added included a line of marine products including bow and stern lights, horns, navigation lights, exhaust blowers, and pumps. In addition to the proverbial "Powerlite", hand lanterns included the "Delta-Ray", "Power King", "Reddylite", and "Buddy" bicycle accessories included a generator and light set, "Sealed Beam Bicycle Headlight", "Jet-Ray Hornlite", "Rocket Ray" light, "P-T" light, "P-T" horn, "Winner" light, "Winner" horn, "Jr. Headlight", "Hurricane" horn, "Seat Post Tail-lite", "Redguard Tailite", "Safety Lites", and an axle-hub light set. As imported lamps and bicycle lights invaded the U.S. markets, Delta increased their line of automotive products. Doorjamb switches, window switches, tailgate window switches, convertible top switches, wire harnesses, etc. were produced. Delta's bicycle accessories line of products was sold off in 1973. In 1964, Delta Electric was purchased by Novo Industrial Corp., a diversified industrial and service corporation. One of Novo Industrial Corp.'s subsidiary companies, King Bee Manufacturing Co., was moved to Marion, and its line of automotive lighting and safety equipment, including headlamps, safety lights, directional lights, mirrors, and reflectors for trucks, buses, trailers, and farm tractors, was merged into the Delta line of products. Delta Electric was a division of Novo Industrial Corp. until 1968 when Novo became part of United Filtration Corp. Delta continued to operate as a division of United Filtration. After selling off the line of bicycle accessories, Delta continued to produce accessories for the automotive industry such as truck side view mirrors and various automotive switches. By 1976 the company's main line had become warning buzzers for fire and security alarms. On March 31, 1978, Halle Industries Inc., who had acquired Delta in 1977, shut down production of Delta Electric due to losing contracts for their smoke detector alarms to Japanese imports. ***** Delta Electric Company World War Two Products: The U.S. Navy purchased watertight lanterns and flashlights for emergency lighting on Navy ships. The company also made life preserver lights, signal gun lights, life raft float lights, blinker lamps, electrical boxes, running lights for ships, and battle lamps. For the U.S. Army, Delta built signal gun lights, beach debarkation marker lights, and parachute cargo dropping lights. For either service, it made aircraft gunnery tow target lamps, aircraft recognition lights, and flashing flares. Delta produced 70,945 headlights for bicycles produced for the U.S. military. The company also built headlight plugs on early World War Two era half-tracks. During World War Two, the company had $8,109,000 in major military contracts from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and the Maritime Commission. *****The information below comes from the "Alphabetical Listing of Major War Supply Contracts, June 1940 through September 1945." This was published by the Civilian Production Administration, Industrial Statistics Division. Table added 4-29-2022. Product - Customer Contract Amount Contract Awarded Date Completion Date Lanterns - Navy $283,000 11-1941 5-1942 Electrical Equipment - Navy $926,000 12-1941 2-1943 Lanterns Electric - Army $101,000 2-1942 7-1942 Controls Box - Army $153,000 3-1942 7-1942 Lanterns Electric - Navy $187,000 4-1942 7-1942 Lanterns Electric - Navy $113,000 4-1942 7-1942 Lamp Assemblies - Army $460,000 4-1942 8-1942 Lanterns Electric - Army $287,000 7-1942 4-1943 Lanterns Electric - Navy $91,000 8-1942 1-1943 Lanterns - Army $80,000 11-1942 6-1943 Lights - Navy $86,000 12-1942 4-1943 Lanterns Electric - Army $115,000 1-1943 6-1943 Lanterns Electric - Navy $144,000 1-1943 8-1943 Lanterns - Navy $58,000 1-1943 5-1943 Lanterns Electric - Navy $182,000 2-1943 8-1943 Lanterns Electric - Navy $177,000 2-1943 3-1943 Lights - Signaling $151,000 2-1943 12-1943 Flashlights - Army $62,000 2-1943 4-1943 Lifesaving Equipment - Navy $52,000 4-1943 6-1943 Flash Light Equipment - Army $70,000 6-1943 6-1943 Flashlights - Navy $752,000 8-1943 6-1944 Ship Emergency Lights - Navy $70,000 8-1943 12-1944 Electric Fixtures - Navy $148,000 9-1943 2-1944 Electric Flashlights - Navy $81,000 10-1943 3-1944 Electric Signal Lights - Navy $168,000 11-1943 10-1944 Electric Flashlights - Navy $218,000 2-1944 6-1944 Flashlights - Navy $69,000 3-1944 9-1944 Lantern Converter Sets - Army $83,000 3-1944 6-1944 Lantern Converter Sets - Army $209,000 3-1944 12-1944 Life Preserver Lights - Army $199,000 3-1944 9-1944 Hand Lanterns - Maritime Commission $71,000 4-1944 10-1944 Electric Hand Lanterns - Army $405,000 4-1944 4-1945 Electric Lanterns - Navy $320,000 5-1944 10-1944 Flashlights - Maritime Commission $88,000 5-1944 9-1944 Gasoline Lantern Parts - Army $169,000 5-1944 10-1944 Electric Signaling Lamps - Navy $220,000 7-1944 1-1945 Signal Generators - Army $78,000 8-1944 12-1944 Electric Flashlights - Navy $62,000 9-1944 1-1945 Life Preserver Lights - Army $67,000 10-1944 6-1945 Electric Lanterns - Navy $51,000 12-1944 2-1946 Lantern Relay Assys - Navy $94,000 12-1944 4-1945 Electric Lanterns - Navy $162,000 1-1945 5-1945 Lanterns MX290 - Army $168,000 2-1945 6-1945 Life Lights - Army $56,000 2-1945 8-1945 Electric Lanterns - Navy $82,000 3-1945 4-1945 Lanterns MX290 - Army $146,000 5-1945 9-1945 Electric Flashlights - Navy $103,000 6-1945 9-1945 Total $8,109,000

Price: 82.5 USD

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

End Time: 2024-11-15T13:12:56.000Z

Shipping Cost: 8.45 USD