Post by UKarchaeology on Sept 29, 2015 13:33:39 GMT
A toy panda which flew on World War Two Dambusters raids has been described as "priceless".
Flt Sgt William Gordon Radcliffe also took the mascot on 60 operational flights over Germany, his daughter Dorothy Bailey said.
She took the mascot, which she said "kept my father safe throughout the war", to a special Antiques Roadshow held at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
Militaria expert Mark Smith said the panda "belonged to the nation".
Ms Bailey said the panda flew on the Dambuster raids tucked into her father's boot, "which is why one ear is not as good as the other, all worn down".
"The pilot knew about him [panda] as well, so he was a mascot for everybody I think," she said.
"He kept them all safe... he's priceless to me and my family.
"He's been everywhere where I haven't been, and now I get to keep him safe."
Mr Smith, who also looked at photographs and items of Sgt Radcliffe's RAF uniform, said: "He is priceless."
He added: "He was priceless to your dad, he is priceless to you, he is priceless to the RAF as a member of the Dams crews."
Other items belonging to Flt Sgt Radcliffe included his RAF tunic, featuring his Distinguished Flying Cross.
The BBC Antiques Roadshow was held at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, based at RAF Coningsby, to mark the 75th anniversary of the battle.
Also featured in the programme are an American Civil War coat found in a skip and a pair of earrings bought in an Australian charity shop.
(pics & source at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34291616 )