Fragment of Prototype Barnes Wallis Bouncing Bomb

[Wooffy]

In 1984 members of the Royal Observer Corps retrieved one of the prototype bouncing bombs from the bombing range at Ashley Walk, Godshill used by 617 SQN in the very famous dambusters raids. This was cut into 617 fragments and mounted in wooden blocks by apprentices from RAF Halton and sold at the time to raise funds for the ROC. I am fortunate enough to own a piece already (which was purchased by father at the time when he was a C/Obs). Currently there is a piece for sale on eBay and in all my years collecting to the ROC this is only the second piece I have seen for sale - the other being on a dealers website.

Whilst it is not insignia, it is an interesting piece of military history which stretches across many different areas of collecting so I thought it was worth highlighting.

Listed here on eBay and already at a healthy £237 - and with the last 8 bids from the same bidder even though (s)he is already the highest bidder - so someone really wants it I guess!