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Leather Flying Helmet Type B brown leather helmet with a black cotton knit lining and "Flash" zippered ear pockets. A light tan leather piping is sewn completely around the front helmet opening. A broad three inch by two inch brown leather chin strap with four brown painted eyelets, is attached by a plain metal buckle. On the back of the helmet there are two vertical two inch brown leather straps with brown painted metal press studs for securing a goggle (not present). A single three inch brown leather strap fastened to a metal buckle is attached horizontally across the back of the helmet at the nape.
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USAAF Type A-9 Summer Flight Helmet. The olive drab coloured canvas helmet has five hooks which are stitched on the back for the A-9 standard oxygen mask(not present). The two green press studs at the back of the helmet are a field modification for attaching an oxygen mask (A-10R, A-10A, A-13, A-14 or A-15) Two white tie strings (forehead and neck) for adjustment emerge where the black painted metal buckle is secured. Also on the opposite side where a fleece-covered tan leather chin strap is attached. Inside is a manufacturing label confirming the helmet is a type A-9, together with a 1942 contract date, and another size label marked X Large. Two round sheepskin patches have been attached to the helmet interior for ear protection.
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Type E Flying Helmet. Tan coloured cotton 'Aertex' Type E lightweight helmet with no lining. The helmet has no internal wiring and black rubber cups that are held in place by a brown leather ring. The name "HABEL" is hand printed in black ink on the leather above the left ear cup. Elastic has been sewn into the back nape of the helmet for a tighter fit. There is a torn brown leather chin strap with metal buckle still fastened by a black painted metal press stud on the right side of the helmet. There are five leather backed snap fasteners on each side adjacent to the black rubber ear cups (no external radio receivers). At the rear of the helmet there is a one single buckle strap (the second strap is missing, only the buckle and part of the second buckle strap remains) for securing the helmet's goggle (not present). Three male press stud fasteners are present, one at the top and two at the nape of the helmet. Below the left goggle fastening strap a fourth press stud is missing completely, a small tear in the fabric and hem remains. Internally, the helmet has grey felt covered wool ear rolls to reduce external noise. A paper label sewn on the inside of the helmet reads, "Buffalo Cap & Neck wear Ltd. Size 2"
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RAF Flying Helmet Type C, 1943 Pattern Light brown leather helmet with two black rubber cups to house the external radio receivers (the receivers are not present). Below the rubber cups are three metal press studs for the attachment of a Type E* oxygen mask. The helmet is fitted with five metal male press studs - three on each the left and two on the right with a flat metal hook - this modification allows the Type G oxygen mask to be used. Near the back of the helmet are two brown leather goggle straps each with brown painted metal press studs, plus a central buckled brown leather strap. The grey canvas webbing chin strap is secured by a brown painted metal press stud. The helmet is lined with chamois and has padded wool filled ear cushions to reduce external noise. The lining also consists of a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow and chin strap flaps. There is a stamp on the lining near the nape but the letters are too worn to decipher.
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RAF Flying Helmet Type C, 1943 pattern. Dark brown leather helmet size 2. Positioned in the ear areas are two black rubber cups to house the external radio receivers (the receivers are not present). Below the rubber cups are three metal press studs for the attachment of a Type E* oxygen mask. The helmet is fitted with five metal male press studs - three on each the left and two on the right with a flat brass hook - this modification allows the Type G oxygen mask to be used. Near the back of the helmet are two brown leather goggle straps each with brown painted metal press studs, plus a central buckled brown leather strap. The grey canvas webbing chin strap is secured by a brown painted metal press stud. The helmet is lined with chamois and has padded wool filled ear cushions to reduce external noise. The lining also consists of a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow and chin strap flaps to which a small fabric tag is attached with a red number "2" printed on it indicating the helmet size.
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RCAF Second Pattern Flight Helmet. Made with a medium brown leather exterior and a chamois lined interior with a dark green velveteen sweat absorbing panel on the brow and chinstrap buckle flap. To the rear of the helmet is a five inch vertical adjustment slit with a short leather strap and metal buckle to one side though which the leather adjustment strap is threaded. There are two 2.5" leather straps with original brown painted metal snaps on the reverse of the helmet used to secure flight goggles. The two piece chin strap consists of a metal gripper buckle sewn to one side and an 8" long by 5/8" wide leather strap to the other. There appears to have been two ear holes cut into the helmet and then repaired with two leather patches sewn directly over top of the holes. The number "44" has been hand printed in black ink on the right side chinstrap flap.
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RCAF Second Pattern Flight Helmet. Made with a chestnut brown leather exterior and a yellow chamois lined interior with a dark green velveteen sweat absorbing panel on the brow and chinstrap buckle flap. To the rear of the helmet is a five inch vertical adjustment slit with a short leather strap and metal buckle to one side though which the leather adjustment strap is threaded. There are two 2.5" leather straps with original brown painted metal snaps on the reverse of the helmet used to secure flight goggles. The two piece chin strap consists of a metal gripper buckle sewn to one side and a 8" long by 5/8" wide leather strap to the other. The chamois lined interior has stamped to the right side, in black, a circle with a "2" (size) and the text "National Hat Mfg. Co. 1942". On left side are two stamped circles, "W" which is the decommissioning stamp, and the "C" with the broad arrow with "232" directly below it.
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RCAF Second Pattern Flight Helmet Made with a medium brown leather exterior and a chamois lined interior with a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel on the brow and chinstrap buckle flap. To the rear of the helmet is a five inch vertical adjustment slit with a short leather strap and metal buckle to one side though which the leather adjustment strap is threaded. There are two 2.5" leather straps with original brown painted metal snaps on the reverse of the helmet used to secure flight goggles. The two piece chin strap consists of a metal gripper buckle sewn to one side and a 8" long by 5/8" wide leather strap to the other.
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Type E Flying Helmet. Tan coloured cotton 'Aertex' Type 'E' light weight helmet with no lining. The helmet has no internal wiring and black rubber cups that are held in place by a leather ring. Elastic has been sewn into the back nape of the helmet for a tighter fit. There is no chin strap present. Adjacent to the receivers are five snap fasteners. Towards the rear of the helmet two single buckle straps and three snap fastening tabs are attached to secure a flying goggle (not present). Internally, the helmet has grey felt ear pads to reduce external noise. A label sewn on the inside of the helmet reads, "Buffalo Cap & Neck wear Ltd. Size 4".
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R.C.A.F. High Altitude Pressure Helmet. Hinged crash protection plates are missing. Fixed plastic visor set in a brown rubber face plate attached to a green nylon coloured shell with grey nylon cord lacing with numerous eyelets that extend up and around the entire face plate. A metal swift zipper is sewn into the top of the shell all the way down the back to the bottom nape of the neck. Includes a rubber covered exhale valve, communication cord, red release valve, and a green rubber lining that covers the ear cushions.
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RAF Type D Canvas Flying Helmet. Designed for use in desert climates and made of tan cotton twill canvas and lined with ivory coloured satin. This pattern incorporates a neck flap to protect the wearer from the desert sun. The rear of the helmet is fitted with elastic to ensure a close fitting. A white label with some identification numbers is sewn into the brow of the helmet. Two AM issue chamois lined face protectors are attached to inside of the helmet. Brown leather zippered ear coverings over black rubber receiver cups on the outside and rolled padded ear cushions on the inside of the helmet. The zippers have brown leather pulls. A set of two leather tabs with brown press studs positioned on either side of the rubber ear cups, and a single buckle leather strap at the rear, are positioned to secure goggles to the helmet. The helmet has a brown leather chin strap secured with a Bennets friction fastener. Just above the chin straps on either side are three metal press studs for the attachment of a Type D Oxygen Mask, or external rubber mask, or a microphone carrier (not present). Inside the helmet, the lining is stenciled in black ink with, "P. D. C. DUKE", next to it the name "Duke" appears in hand printed in black marker.
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RCAF Second Pattern Flight Helmet. Made with a medium brown leather exterior and a chamois lined interior with a dark green velveteen sweat absorbing panel on the brow and chinstrap buckle flap. To the rear of the helmet is a five inch vertical adjustment slit with a short leather strap and metal buckle to one side though which the leather adjustment strap is threaded. There are two 2.5" leather straps with original brown painted metal snaps on the reverse of the helmet used to secure flight goggles. The two piece chin strap consists of a metal gripper buckle sewn to one side and a 8" long by 5/8" wide leather strap to the other. The chamois lined interior has stamped to the right side, in black, a circle with a "6" (size) and the text "National Hat Mfg. Co. 1942". On left side are two stamped circles, "W" which is the decommissioning stamp, and the "C" with the broad arrow with "212" directly below it.
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RAF Type D Canvas Flying Helmet, wired for receivers, microphone, and oxygen mask. Designed for use in desert climates and made of tan cotton twill canvas, and lined with ivory coloured satin. Tan velveteen sweat absorbing panels at the brow and chin flaps. This pattern incorporates a neck flap to protect the wearer from the desert sun. Brown leather zippered ear coverings over foam protected black bakelite 10A/13466 receivers on the outside and rolled padded ear cushions on the inside of the helmet. The zippers have brown leather pulls. A set of two leather tabs with brown press studs positioned on either side of the ear coverings and a single buckle leather strap at the rear, are positioned to secure goggles to the helmet. A grey canvas webbing chin strap with metal fasteners. Type 'H' green rubber oxygen mask with built-in Type 57 microphone. The mask is lined with white chamois leather, and has cotton web and elastic straps for attachment to a flying helmet. A 13 inch corrugated black rubber oxygen hose emerges from the bottom of the mask and ends in a brass plug with an attached alligator clip. The left hand cheek of the mask has a mesh covered valve to allow the passage of ambient air. Raised markings on the mask read, A 1-51(date of manufacture) 'MEDIUM' (size) and 'DETACH TUBE HERE' with an arrow indicating the location point. The microphone has a black plastic circular front with a rotating On/Off switch. An insulated lead emerging from the left hand side of the microphone ends in a black plastic plug 10H/14206 for attachment to the flying helmet. A black bayonet plug, REF.No.10H/10991 is secured by the small brown leather press studs at the back nape of the helmet above the neck flap.
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Flight Helmet Type P4-A. Gold painted fiberglass flight helmet with a molded foam liner and brown leather head band attached to it, and a central blue plastic knob for pulling the visor down into position. Two positions are permitted, full up and full down. A black Bakelite PJ-292 twin pronged male connector is affixed to the distal end of the oxygen mask communications cord exits near the base at the back of the helmet, referred to as, pigtail type. Inside the helmet the MX2088/U black rubber covered foam ear cushions are attached via spring loaded mounts which were standard on all USAF P-4A and HGU2/P helmets. A black metal CW-292/U boom microphone is attached to a black metal MT-522A/U Con.N383-67787ACRBD bracket on the lower left side of the helmet. A white nylon chin strap with metal pull the dot snap fasteners are attached by aluminum screws.
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RCAF brown leather Flying Helmet. Second pattern, Type 'C' model 22C/880. Internally wired flying helmet, complete with goggles, earphones, oxygen mask, cord and plug. The helmet has a grey webbing chin strap with a brown metal press stud fastening tab, and black rubber cups protecting the external radio receivers. The receivers are marked in raised letters '10A/13466' below the letters 'A M' (Air Ministry) and the King's crown. Adjacent to the radio receivers on both sides are three chromed metal snap fasteners to receive the Type H oxygen mask; the right side is also equipped with a wide metal oxygen mask hook. The leather adjacent to the left chin strap is impressed 22C/880. At the rear of the helmet is a single brown leather buckle strap straddled by two brown leather snap fastening tabs to secure the flying goggle straps and wiring loom10H/14207. Below the left hand rubber cup is a integral socket to receive the microphone lead. Internally, the helmet is chamois lined and has chamois ear cushions to reduce external noise. There is a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow. Loom wires emerge from the rear of the helmet secured by two leather tabs and black nylon bindings, they combine to form a 1.4 m long braided cloth covered insulated communication cord which is attached to a flexible metal support spring and a black bakelite bayonet connector plug with the reference number 10H/0991. A small, free floating square of leather equipped with a snap fastener is mounted on the cable; the fastener can be attached to the corresponding snap just below the communications plug. In front of the rubber cups on each side of the helmet are three chromed metal snap fasteners to receive the oxygen mask. The two right hand snaps have a wide metal hook screwed into them, this modification allowing the oxygen mask to be used. The Mark VII Goggle, stamped AM 22c/826 in the metal above the brown leather nose bridge section. Utilizing the two piece split lens principle, and has strong blue painted metal frames and leather/chamois face cushions. A substantial grey canvas webbing elastic strap, with adjuster, is used to secure it to the head.
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Gentex Flight Helmet H-4-1 Model, size 22c/5097/1731. Helmet is painted white (in a sunburst fashion) and blue, with 434 Bluenose logo on either ear cap. Number "87" and nickname of donor "MORT" painted in white on back of helmet. The brow area of the H-4 helmet was lowered in comparison with the H-3 helmet, and this gave the latter a "heavier" appearance, both when seen from the front and from the sides. Like the H-3, the H-4 consisted of a cloth inner liner and a separate outer hard-shell. The strap suspension assembly only rear part of the headband is adjustable. The external adjustment strap was therefore shorter and placed further to the rear. Note the raised area around the rivet above the face opening curvature; another feature where the Inside of the outer hard-shell showing the strap suspension assembly there is a lack of communication gear.
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USAAF Leather Flight Helmet Type A-11 wired with a ANB-H-1 Receiver, Type A-11. Helmet is made with a dark brown leather exterior with a one inch peak sewn to the front seam on the brow of the helmet, with a yellow chamois lined interior. Black rubber Harvard design ear cups fitted with ANB-H-1 receivers and a brown braided communication cord connected to a black plug. To the rear of the helmet is a short leather strap and buckle to one side though which the leather adjustment strap is threaded. There are three 3" leather straps with original brown painted metal press studs on the reverse of the helmet used to secure the flight goggles. Four metal leather backed male press studs are position on both sides of the helmet front opening for attachment of the oxygen mask. The two piece brown leather chin strap consists of a Bennet's friction fastener buckle sewn to one side and a 6" long by 5/8" wide leather strap to the other. The chamois lined interior has two wool filled ear rolls ear for noise reduction. USAAF markings to both the interior and exterior of the helmet. Size Large. Original A-11 data tag sewn to interior liner which reads, SPECIFICATION 3189, Size-LARGE, STOCK NO. 8300-396010, CONT. NO. W33-038AC-3172 Bakelite receiver ear pieces stamped ANB-H-1 MADE IN USA BY UTAH-CHICAGO.
