Two sets of "playing cards" without expected suits and numbers. Two sets of two packs each. The "blue" set is labeled "Device 5-E-7a / Restricted" with a stock number. These are U.S. and Foreign Ships and Aircraft.  There are 54 cards in each. The ships have a photo of the ship on one side and a silhouette on the other. The planes have a photo of the plane on one side and the silhouettes of the front, side and undercarriage view of each. there is also information on country of origin, type of plane and size (length and wingspan). Marked "Restricted" at bottom. -- Second set in red boxes and labeled British Aircraft and Ships. Number 1 has 51 planes and 3 ships; number 2 has 30 planes and 24 ships. These were issued by the Special Devices Division of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics. Each card has a photo on one side and a silhouette on the other - whichever view is most distinctive - some had side views, some have undercarriage views. (Boxes a bit worn but intact).

[With:] Nearly 50 posters, 14 x 20 in., with “Identification Poster / D.I.T.-A.A.F.-Identification Unit.” U.S. Government Printing Office, 1942. Each has silhouettes of a plane from the front, side and bottom. If there are any notable or unique features, these are highlighted in red on a smaller line drawing to the side of the view. 

Lot includes: P-40E {Br. Kittyhawk}, No. 506, 7/42; P-39D ({Airacobra}, No. 505, 7/42; Focke Wulf 190 (Germany) “From data Currently Available” No. 100, 742, includes images of the plane from side and ¾ front view; Type Zero (0”) (Japanese Fighter), No. 3, 7/42 “From data Currently Available,” also with realistic images of the plane; Spitfire (British Fighter), No. 602, 9/42; Hurricane (British Fighter), No. 601, 9/42; P-38E {Br. Lightning}, No. 504, 7/42; P-51 {Br. Mustang}, No. 509, 7/42; P-47D {Thunderbolt}, No. 508, 7/42.

MITSUBISHI-97 (Japanese Long-Range Bomber), No. 1, 7/42, “From data Currently Available”; AICHI 99 (Japanese Dive Bomber, Carrier Borne), No. 2, 7/42; WELLINGTON (British Medium Bomber), No. 607, 9/42; HALIFAX (British Heavy Bomber), No. 610, 9/42; STIRLING {British Heavy Bomber}, No. 612, 9/42; VENTURA (British Patrol Bomber), No.614, 9/42

A-20C (US Attack Bomber, Br. Boston), No. 500, 7/42; A-24 (US Attack Bomber), No.501, 7/42; A-31 (US Dive Bomber, Br. Vengeance), No. 502, 7/42; B-17E (US Long-Range Bomber, Flying Fortress), No.510, 7/42; B-24D (US Heavy Bomber, Br. Liberator), No. 512, 7/42; B-25C (US Medium Bomber, Mitchell), No. 513, 7/42; B-26B (US Medium Bomber, Br. Marauder), No. 514,7/42; C-46 (US Transport, Commando), No. 515, 7/42; C-47 (US Transport, Br. Dakota-1), No. 516, “From Data Currently Available Oct. 1, 1942.”

TBF “AVENGER” U.S.N.; Devastator Douglas TBD-1 (U.S.); Buffalo F-2A-2 [Brewster Aero.] [this is one that was originally to be carrier launched, but ended up not being used on the carriers]; P-17 and P-18 (U.S. Army) (the last? of the biplanes); Catalina PBY-5 (seaplane, flown by most of the Allies – UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Soviet Union); SB2C Hell Diver (Curtiss-Wright); Corsair F4U; Mariner PBM-1 (American patrol bomber flying boat); Beech Transport C-45; AT-6 (Beechcraft, Wolverine); Kingfisher OS2U-1 (U.S. Navy).

HE 111K Mk Va. Series H (Heinkel, German Medium Bomber); F.W. Kurier (Focke-Wulf, long range reconnaissance); DO-26 (Dornier “Flying boat,” Germany); ME-110 (Messerschmitt heavy bomber, night fighter); DO-215 (Light bomber, sold worldwide before the war, but most flown by Luftwaffe); JU 52/3M (Junkers); Ju-87B; Savoia Marchetti-79 (Italy); Macchi C-200 (Italian); Kawanishi-97 (Japan); Mitsubishi 96 (Japan Navy). 

During the war, various branches of the military from the Army and Navy to Intelligence enlisted help watching for an invasion by the Axis powers. It was the first war in which air power was significant, so people watched to skies to make sure the plane over head belonged to “us.” People on the coast kept their eyes open for submarines and surface vessels. Silhouettes of ships and planes appeared on posters, playing cards, and many more items.