PARATROOPER CRICKET – ACME AUTHENTIC

Did you know?

With the landing in Sicily on July 10, 1943, General Maxwell D. Taylor, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, realized the need to provide airborne troops with a simple, practical and effective reconnaissance device that would enable them to figure out fairly quickly that, on the other side of a ditch or hedge, a "friend" was standing.

The English company J. Hudson & Co Ltd won the contract with its "THE ACME No 470 Clicker", already in its catalog for several years and generally used to help conductors beat time. Thanks to its spring-loaded reed, the Clicker emits a sound distinctive enough to be heard and understood by paratroopers, without being too blatant to be intercepted by the enemy.

The U.S. Army ordered thousands of these Clickers, which were distributed a few days before D-Day to paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division.

The principle was simple: one press emited a "click-clack" to request identification; a double press (2 "click-clacks") provided the answer!

Please note:

- Made in England in the same factory and on the same machines as the 1944 Clickers

- Same dimensions as the original

- Made of brass and nickel as were the WWII originals

- Stamping similar to 1944 - "THE ACME Made in England".

- Quality sound

- Packaged in a box identical to that of the period

- Comes with certificate of authenticity