Antiques Roadshow returned to BBC One this weekend with many guests bringing along military memorabilia to be valued. Expert Mark Hill spoke to one woman who had brought along a small aircraft propeller.
He marvelled at the object, which was in exquisite condition, saying: “What a gorgeous, sculptural object, and this wonderful sort of toffee-like colour. What we are looking at is a plane propeller, are you an aviation fan?”
The guest then revealed nonchalantly: “I have flown aeroplanes and built one,” with Mark interjecting: “Hang on! You have flown aeroplanes AND built one?”
“In a garage,” the guest elaborated, to which Mark responded: “As you do!” and they both laughed. “So this is why you know so much about this, of course,” Mark concluded.
The guest continued to surprise him further when she revealed the object was “not actually to propel the aeroplane.”
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The Antiques Roadshow guest had built and flown planes (Image: BBC)
“What it does is it would sit on a strut between the wings of a biplane and generate electricity for powering an instrument inside the cockpit,” she explained.
Mark then pointed out a number of interesting marks including the military crow’s foot and the name G. Betjemann & Sons.
They were known for producing boxes and locks and they were always “renowned for quality”.
George Betjemann & Sons were a London based cabinet makers founded in 1851 by George Betjemann.
It became George Betjemann & Sons in 1858 when his two sons, George William and John joined the firm.
Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Hill was taken aback (Image: BBC)
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The propeller was made by George Betjemann & Sons (Image: BBC)
“It’s a beautiful object,” the expert continued. “But for me, the small size is perfect because it would display so well on the desk of an aviation fan.”
He revealed it would be worth about £200 at auction, to which the guest replied. “Wow, it’s not for sale!”
Elsewhere in the episode, a guest was left.
Antiques Roadshow returns to One on Sunday