This ashtray, made of plaster and in the shape of a question mark, appeared on today`s Bargain Hunt. I think it fetched £40. It`s assumed to be WW1 RFC in design but why a question mark?

Alcock & Brown ?

I think one of the record beaking/trail blazing aircraft post WW1 carried a question mark symbol. If so this isn't an RFC or even military related object.

Not RFC but USAAC. The two pilots are Major Carl Spaatz and possibly Capt. Ira Eaker, of the US Army Air Corps and Question Mark was a Fokker Atlantic Trimotor that stayed airborne for 150 hours 40 min in 1929 being refueled in the air 34 times. The air mechanic Sgt Hooe maintained th engines in flight using an external catwalk

As Centurion said - commemorates the early in flight fuelling of aircraft.

More details on Wiki Question Mark

Actually it is WW1 military related as both Eaker and Spaatz served in the AEF. Would probably have fetched a lot more at an auction in the USA.
Congratulations, gents, on beating the Bargain Hunt experts!

And both went on to senior command in the US Army Air Force in WW2. Some sources suggest that Elwood Quesada, who I think went on to command the US fighter force in Europe in WW2, was also involved in the Question Mark exploit.

On things military, not difficult, in my book... Add to that list "Antiques Roadshow", "Dickinson's Real Stea... err Deal", "Cash in the Attic"... I will leave off "Flog It" as militaria never seems to see the light of day there. Brown furniture, Troika pottery and Clarice Cliffe seem to rule... Shame. because Paul Martin's the best host of them all.

Stretching it a little - on that basis a great many inter war material would have a WW1 connection.

And dont mention "Jontys" expert Valuation of a 1914~15 Star Trio death Plaque & RN Pair & LSGC Plus WW2 Stars & Medals & associated ephemera valued at £40!!{hammer price £320}


Link CWGC Fletcher A.J

The "Family" were more concerned about a few Tatty Manc United 1963 Newspapers referring to the 1958 Air Crash valued @ a Tenner!!

True. But I do think any notable event concerning a WW1 participant could be described as "WW1 related". Haig`s funeral, Wilson`s assassination, Harris`s rise in the RAF eg. And the refuelling experiment was a notable event just eleven years later.
I must say Eaker looks like he`d be pretty uncompromising as a commander!

Here he is (bottom) in 1931. I suppose he`s the one on the left of the ashtray?