Militaria
RCAF Type 06A Aircraft Compass in Original WWII/BCATP Transport Box – Canadian Air Force Navigation Instrument
$364.65
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DetailsFOR SALE ☞ RCAF Type 06A Aircraft Compass w/ Original WWII-Era Transport Box
DESCRIPTION ☞ Presented here is a rare and beautifully preserved RCAF-issued Type 06A aircraft compass, housed in its original Canadian Air Force transit box. These precision instruments were used throughout WWII and the early Cold War for aircraft navigation, and were also standard equipment within the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) — Canada’s massive wartime aviation training program.
This example is marked “Type 06A” with serial No. 4/124-H, retaining its sighting vanes, adjustment knobs, intact compass card, and clear top glass. The cylindrical body removes as designed, and the instrument shows the classic black military finish used on mid-century aviation compasses. Marked AC/R/145 on the side.
The wooden transit crate is distinctly RCAF in style, featuring:
• Original blue-grey Canadian military paint
• Red stenciled warnings (“GLASS WITH CARE,” “DELICATE INSTRUMENT TO BE HANDLED WITH GREAT CARE”)
• Robust dovetail joinery
• Original interior felt pads, beveled shock-mount supports, and fitted cradle
• An intact Canadian-pattern herringbone canvas carry strap
Canadian workshop crates from the 1940s–50s are instantly recognizable, and this box is a textbook example of RCAF instrument-room craftsmanship.
Altogether, this set is an exceptional surviving specimen of Canadian military aviation design, perfect for display in a WWII collection, aviation-den, office shelf, or museum installation. RCAF-marked equipment is significantly scarcer than RAF equivalents, and complete sets with original boxes are rarely offered for sale.
DIMENSIONS ☞ (approx.)
Compass:
• Length: 23 cm (9 in)
• Diameter (bezel): 10 cm (4 in)
Transit Box:
• Height: 28 cm (11 in)
• Width: 14 cm (5.5 in)
• Depth: 14 cm (5.5 in)
CONDITION ☞
This piece is in excellent vintage military condition with the kind of honest wear expected from an 80-year-old service instrument.
• Compass shows mild cosmetic wear, spotting in the fluid, and patina to screws and hardware.
• Glass is intact with no cracks.
• Sighting vanes and adjustment knobs operate.
• Box is strong and stable; paint shows expected scuffs, small losses, and age toning.
• Stenciling remains clear and highly displayable.
• Interior felt pads and fitted supports are present.
• Canvas web strap shows age discoloration but is securely attached.
Overall: a rare, complete, and display-ready RCAF navigation instrument with outstanding provenance and character. Please see photos. Color may differ slightly in real life from how it appears on your screen due to varying monitor settings. Have a question about this item or want to see more photos? Send us a message & we’ll get back to you ASAP!
ABOUT US ☞ Front Street Antiques is located in downtown historic Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada. We are a husband and wife team on the hunt for interesting items that inspire nostalgia and curiosity. As antique enthusiasts, we do our very best to describe any imperfections and quirks, as well as provide a general background on the item; however, we are not yet experts on every item in our store. If you have additional information about an item for us, please send us a message -- we are always grateful to learn more :)
PLEASE NOTE ☞ Item will be carefully packaged up and shipped within 3 business days of sale, often sooner. We combine shipping on multiple items -- please send us a message prior to purchase to give us a heads up & we will be happy to refund the difference upon shipping!
All our listings are considered collectible, retro/vintage (25+ years) or antique (100+ years) and are rarely brand new. The majority of our stock comes from auctions and private collections or estates. Items for sale may display some age related wear and/or minor flaws consistent with the date of manufacture. Photos are included as part of the description. Due to the age and nature of our stock, all items are sold "as is" and final sale unless damaged in transit and covered by insurance.
Items listed on our Etsy store are also available for sale in our physical store location and may sell at any time! Visit us in person to check out our wide variety of stock - 416 Front St. Kaslo, BC
We strive to earn 100% perfect "★★★★★" ratings from our customers. If anything about your transaction did not meet your expectations, please let us know ASAP and give us the opportunity to make things right before leaving feedback.
Be sure to check out our other listings on our etsy store: frontstantiques.etsy.com
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Shipping & Policies
Shipping from Canada
Processing time
1-4 business days
Estimated shipping times
- Canada : 3 - 10 business days
- United States : 5 - 14 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept cancellations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept returns?
For EU & UK buyers: As required by consumer law, most online purchases can be cancelled within 14 days of delivery. Certain exceptions apply (antiques, collectibles, items sold “for parts/repair”). Buyer pays return shipping, and refunds are issued only after the item is received and verified in its original condition.
For buyers outside the EU/UK (e.g. USA, Canada): All sales are considered final. Returns are not accepted except in cases of significant misrepresentation.Do you accept exchanges?
No. All of our items are considered one-offs and unique so we can not offer exchanges at this time.
Will I have to pay extra customs or duty fees if I’m in the U.S.?
We ship all U.S. orders using the most reliable method available. Some items (especially antiques over 100 years old or U.S.-made goods) are tariff-exempt under current rules. For other items, we do our best to pre-pay duties and include them in the price (known as DDP — Delivered Duty Paid) so what you see at checkout is what you’ll pay.
What does “DDP” mean?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. It means we take care of the customs paperwork and fees on our end whenever possible. That way, your package clears the border smoothly and you won’t get a surprise bill on delivery.
Are there any exceptions?
Most antiques and U.S.-made vintage items ship duty-free. European pieces are usually covered by DDP (we pre-pay the duty and build it into the price). Canadian-made vintage can sometimes carry higher tariffs; in those rare cases, we’ll either adjust the listing price to reflect the duty or let you know up front if extra charges could apply. If you have any concerns regarding tariffs, please message us prior to purchase and we would be happy to do some research for you!
What happens if customs does charge extra?
We’re transparent about this from the start: buyers are responsible for any customs/import fees that may apply. That said, we always do our best to minimize the risk by using the right codes and carriers. If you have questions about a specific item, message us before checkout and we’ll give you an honest answer about what to expect.
Why do some Canadian shops say “buyer is responsible for duty”?
That’s Etsy’s default policy. We go a step further by explaining how duties work and when we can cover them. Our goal is to make your buying experience smooth and surprise-free.
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