{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-enameled-portable-mess-set-in-transit-chest-by-everwear-trunk-luggage-co-dated-1942","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Enameled Portable Mess Set in Transit Chest - By Everwear Trunk \u0026 Luggage Co. - Dated 1942","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only one set available. This set consists of a transit chest measuring \u003cstrong\u003e18\" x 14\" x 13\"\u003c\/strong\u003e containing enameled plates \u0026amp; cups with salt \u0026amp; pepper shakers and stainless steel flatware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe United States Army Air Force was stationed at Fairford Air Base, which was constructed in 1944 in the village of Fairford in the Cotswolds, one of England's true \"garden spots\" in the County of Gloucestershire. Fairford Air Base was constructed in 1944 to serve as an airfield for British and American troop carriers and gliders for the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II. It housed both U.S. and British Paratroops. It catered to bombers as well as fighter Aircraft and after the Second World War became an ongoing operational center throughout the Cold War. It still exists today as RAF Fairford, although the last U.S. Personnel departed in 2009.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis picnic catering set is designed for 10 people, as it happens the same number as a bomber crew like on the B-17 FLYING FORTRESS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe set is missing some pieces but still has a lot of items, contains:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 4 x enameled dinner plates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 8 x enameled soup bowls\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 1 x large enameled serving platter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 3 x enameled coffee cups\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 1 x large enameled coffee pot with lid and inner filter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 1 x enameled sugar container with lid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn addition the chest contains:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 2 x Matching set of glass Salt and Pepper Shakers, one set of which still contains salt and pepper, some of which has spilled into two compartments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- 17 x stainless steel flatware pieces bearing various U.S. Military Contractor markings - 6 Knives, 8 forks, and 3 spoons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps this was a set used to cater to a ten-man Bomber Crew while on a mission to pound the NSDAP controlled continent. Extremely interesting and an essential part of Military War History we never really think about and just ideal for when your friends come over for a barbeque!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe chest is in fair condition but the right carrying handle is gone and the left handle is very worn, so we wouldn’t recommend using it. There is a label on the front which was likely a QMC re-pack label, noting the cubic space and weight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA great example, ready for further research and display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42650576355397,"sku":"ONJR24MG406","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24MG406__01.jpg?v=1744383995","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-enameled-portable-mess-set-in-transit-chest-by-everwear-trunk-luggage-co-dated-1942","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}