WW2 Aircraft Recognition Silhouette Cards - Complete Set - July 1942

A great find this. Here is a complete set of World War Two Aircraft Recognition Silhouette Cards. Produced by the British Air Ministry in July, 1942. In the original box. A very good set - condition in detail below.

Aircraft recognition silhouette cards were ingenious tools used to train military personnel and civilians in identifying aircraft—friend or foe—at a glance. They combined practical instruction with the familiar format of playing cards, making learning both accessible and engaging. The cards were designed to allow ordinary card games to be played, reinforcing recognition through repetition.

They mattered because speed and accuracy in aircraft recognition were vital for defence, especially during air raids. They helped prevent friendly fire and improved tactical responses. Civilian spotters, especially in the UK’s Royal Observer Corps, used them extensively.

Their purpose was to help spotters, soldiers, and aircrew quickly recognize aircraft types from different angles. Each card features a black silhouette of an aircraft, repeated in miniature in two corners. Views include: General Perspective; Front View; Plan (top-down) View; Side Profile.

There are four packs in each box: RED (single-engined aircraft); BLUE (Multi-engined aircraft with single rudder); GREEN (miscellaneous aircraft e.g., gliders, bombers); ORANGE (multi-engined aircraft with twin rudders).

Each pack contains 52 cards - all are present. The orange pack is mint and unopened, still in the original paper wrap. The red and green sets are in excellent condition. The blue set has the name of the plane written on each card (see photos). All are still in their original white pack boxes, inside a main box. Also contains all the original instruction leaflets - all in top order.

The main box remains intact but has wear. The outer brown paper, which is over the top of the thick card box, has tanned and spotted over the years. It has rubbed and peeled in places. The bottom part of the box has one split side joint but all other joints are holding.

A really good, scarce set. Your box of aircraft recognition cards will be wrapped with care and sent well packaged, with tracking and insurance. I am always happy to add a gift card with message to the parcel.

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