Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
DAD'S DAY SALE June 21, 2026!!!
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord.
One of the more rare wartime USN and USMC flying helmets, because so few were produced. It was the final version of the AN6540 series, made to the same pattern as earlier cotton and leather types, but from green nylon, intended to be lighter and more comfortable. In the end it proved to be a fire hazard; the nylon not being flame retardant, it meted and caused serious burns and the type was phased out in favour of a modified design in flame-retardant material. This version did however see limited service during the war. This example is in excellent condition, fitted with the correct ANB-H-1A Navy receivers and braided cord with plastic sealed connectors. These do not come along very often.
$185 / £140 / €160
 Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |  Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |
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 Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |  DSCN6982 |
 Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |  Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |
 Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |  Late WWII USN USMC AN6540 series flying helmet in green nylon with ANB-H-1A receivers and cord |
Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap.
A rare find! Slightly "salty" looking Luftwaffe summer weight "white top" service dress cap for an enlisted man. Classic waffle pattern cotton. top is well used and quite grubby – might clean up but that's for the buyer to decide. Black composite peak and leather chin strap show typical surface crazing. Yellow waffenfarbe has a couple of tiny moth nips, but these are concealed by the chin strap. Good aluminium eagle and winged cockade. Failry clean inside and nice sweatshield maker marked to Tiller of Wien (Vienna). The enlisted version of the cap is often more difficult to find than the officers. Lovely, well used example.
$1,150 / £865 / €995
 Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |  Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |
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 Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |  Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |
 Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |  Luftwaffe enlisted/other ranks summer "white top" peaked/visor cap |
AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories.
Superb A-10A sextant in beautiful fitted wooden case with most if not all accessories present. Essential piece of equipment for AAF navigators in all multi-place aircraft including all bombers and reconnaissance planes. Excellent condition – makes a great display item for any aircrew collection.
$95 / £75 / €85
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
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 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |  AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
 AAF navigator's sextant, Type A-10A with fitted case and accessories |
RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired.
Excellent example of the second pattern (internally wired) Type D tropical flying helmet, complete with its wiring loom, receivers and plugs. Khaki cotton drill helmet with a satin lining, chamois pads inside, rubber earcups with Type 32 receivers and full length internal wiring cord terminating the large Type 119 bell plug. Elastic webbing chin strap retains its elasticity. Very clean — appears unissued. Marked faintly inside as size 1, however it is quite a generous fit, more like a size 2 (medium) and displays perfectly on a standard male feature head.
$450 / £340 / €390
 RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |  RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |
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 RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |  RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |
 RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |  RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |
 RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |  RAF Type D tropical/summer flying helmet, 2nd pattern, fully wired. |
RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full external wiring) and receivers.
The mask body is a superb Sefton reproduction - all other components are 100% original, including the harness/straps, correct narrow gauge corrugated rubber tube and clip, and the Type 26 microphone assembly with full external wiring loom, Type 32 receivers and bell plug. A fantastic display item.
$675 / £505 / €585
 RAF Type E* oxygen mask, part Sefton with original hose, full wiring loom and receivers |  RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |
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 RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |  RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |
 RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |  RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |
 RAF Type E* oxygen mask (Sefton reproduction body) with original hose, Type 26 mic. assembly (full e |
WWI US Army Air Service leather flying helmet.
One of the more scarce variations of the standard US Army Air Service helmet. This is the high altitude/cold weather model with a partial fur lining and fitted with additional straps and buckles to the rear for attaching a protective face mask or oxygen mask. Overall the condition is very good, the leather is soft though quite dry. Some of the fur has moulted from the lining but it still displays well. The very tip of the chin strap is missing and there is a weak/torn spot on one of the eyelets, but still displays well overall.
$125 / £95 / €110
 WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |  WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |
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 WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |  WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |
 WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |  WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |
 WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |  WWI US Air Service leather flying helmet |
Scarce WWI-1920s US Air Corps overseas cap with superb direct embroidered bullion badge.
Very scarce US Air Corps overseas cap, believed to be for an instructor, with a beautiful bullion winged prop embroidered directly to the cap. Cap also has blue/yellow piping and a bright yellow silk lining. Named inside to M.C. Bradley, Hollywood, and made by Desmonds of Los Angeles, the cap is a large size 7-1/2. There are a couple of very small moth nips which cannot be seen, and the rear part of the leather sweatband has hardened and broken away, but otherwise the cap is in excellent displayable condition.
$120 / £90 / €105
 WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |  WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |
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 WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |  WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |
 WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |  WWI-1920s US Air Service / Air Corps officer's overseas cap |
US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40.
US Army Field Service jacket (the enlisted version of the Ike jacket) in great condition. OD wool body, unlined with 2 flap pockets to front and 2 interior pockets, one of which has its QM stores label attached showing a date of July 1944. Evidence of patches to upper sleeves and collar insignia (now removed) and I can find 4 tiny, pinhead size holes (one to right epaulette, one to front right, and 2 to collar). Hand written service number inside. Labeled a 40R and with all buttons and wait snap. Nice early example of the pattern.
$75 / £55 / €65
 US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40. |  US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40. |
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 US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40. |  US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40. |
 US Army Field Service jacket OD in a decent size 40. |
Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles.
Makes an interesting display alongside the USN Gentex helmet, this Korean War era helmet traces its legacy back to the WWII German helmets which were then copied by the Soviets and finally the Chinese. Leather helmet of the same style as the Luftwaffe LKpW101 fitted with moulded rubber receiver housings and complete with all communications gear, plus dual plug for attaching a mask-mounted microphone. Good label inside. Comes with its matching goggles - also based on German styling but with bulbous, convex lenses for better (if somewhat distorted) peripheral vision. They came as a set so I'm moving them along that way. Great Korean War vintagedisplay.
$95 / £70 / €85
 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
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 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
 Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |  Korean War Chinese Communist Mig15/17 pilot's flying helmet and goggles |
RAF Beadon Suit aluminium container for 7 cigarettes.
Olive green aluminium tin, 3" (8cm) in length with screw top marked with stores ref number and labeled 7 cigarettes. This was part of the Beadon suit survival kit (cigarettes for survival!). No contents. A scarce survival item. Unissued condition.
$45 / £35 / €40
 RAF BEado Suit survival kit - small tin for 7 cigarettes |
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 RAF BEado Suit survival kit - small tin for 7 cigarettes |
 RAF BEado Suit survival kit - small tin for 7 cigarettes |
 RAF BEado Suit survival kit - small tin for 7 cigarettes |
WWII issue Service Dress tunic to a Warrant Officer pilot.
WWII issue Service Dress tunic to a Warrant Officer pilot. Officer quality tailoring from fine barathea wool, yet this is an issue uniform rather than privately tailored. While officers were generally expected to provide their own uniforms from private tailors, other ranks and NCOs, being less well paid, were supplied from RAF stores. Since Warrant Officers were senior NCOs who wore officers' uniforms, they were provided with officer quality materials. These were not common and don't turn up on the collector market all that often. Though not named, this Warrant Officer's SD tunic is a beautiful example of an issue "officer grade" uniform, and includes a lovely well-padded pilot wing brevet.
$175 / £130 / €155
 RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |  RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |
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 DSCN2068 |  IMG_7139 |
 RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |  RAF Warrant Officer pilot's service dress tunic |
RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass.
Escape & evasion compass disguised as two metal buttons as sewn to the suits, aircrew or war service dress (battledress) blouse or trousers. Made from magnetized steel and painted black, one has a sharp point (fulcrum) attached to the centre while the other has a small indent that sits on the point and two dots that point north. Some loss of paint and oxidation, but still functions. Very hard to find these days.
$85 / £65 / €75
 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |  RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
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 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |  RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
 RAF 2-piece battledress button escape compass |
Wartime Irvin Airchute company pin badge.
Small lapel badge given to Irvin company employees who designed and tested the parachutes on a daily basis. Gilt metal with blue and white enamel, and maker marked on the back, H.W. Miller, Branston St. Birmingham.
$25 / £20 / €22
 Irvin factory worker's badge |  Irvin factory worker's badge |
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Flying log book and flying clothing/kit lists to a US Marine Corps aviator.
Log books to US Marine Corps aircrew are scarce, which makes this paperwork grouping such an interesting find. Named to Lt (MC) V.H. Witten. It appears that Witten accrued many hours as a passenger in numerous aircraft types, including N2S1, N3N1, SNJ4, SNB-1, SNB-2, OS2U-3, PBY-5, PBM-3, R4D-5, SNB-26, PBJ-1, JM-1, SBD-5, SB2C, J2F and more. What makes this even more interesting - especially to collectors of flying kit - are the additional documents contained in an envelope in the back of the book. These are actually receipts for the personal flying clothing and equipment he was issued. These four sheets list, in great detail, his helmets, masks, goggles, jackets etc. Altogether, this is quite a rare and highly useful resource, comprising a scarce USMC flight log book and valuable information about flying clothing issued from 1943 to 1945. Lt. Witten is definitely worthy of research.
$85 / £65 / €75
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
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 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |  Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
 Flying log book and documents to a US Marine Corps aircrew member |
Rare WWII Emergency Rations tin complete with original contents (caffeine infused chocolate).
The "Emergency Rations" tin was issued in emergency kits to all branches service in combat areas as a backup to all other rations and supplies. One tin was intended to sustain one man for 24 hours. It contained a solid block of highly-caffeinated chocolate (similar to the German Scho-ka-Kola). Finding one with all original contents is rare. Still retains part of its gold finish — a special waterproofing which eventually flaked off. Lacks original seal but tin is intact and contents remain. Clear instructions on lid and product coding on bottom.
$165 / £125 / €145
 WWII RAF and other services Emergency rations with full contents of chocolate |  DSCN7299 |
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 IMG_9164 |  IMG_9165 |
 WWII RAF and other services Emergency rations with full contents of chocolate |  DSCN7301 |
USAF LRU/16P one man life raft as carried by fighter pilots flying the F-16 fighting Falcon.
Manufactured January, 1996, and with test dates up to October 2011, this modern one-man life raft clearly traces in lineage back to WWIi, being very similar in design, but with a splash cover that fastens with velcro and construction from waterproofed nylon rather than rubberized linen. In excellent condition, the boat is overall deep sea blue in colour for camouflage, but the splash cover opens up to show neon orange for hi-visibility when friendly ships or aircraft are in the vicinity. No damage that I can see, and no visible evidence of use. Modern survival equipment is quite difficult to source.
$120 / £90 / €105 email to secure this item
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
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 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
 USAF LRU/16P life raft for F-16 |
RAF Gyro Gunsight Camera Recorder Mk2.
Used on later Marks of Spitfire, as well as Mustangs, Hurricanes, Corsairs, Thunderbolts, Typhoons, Tempests, Mosquitoes and numerous other aircraft, both during and after the war. It also saw use in early jets such as the Meteor, Vampire, P-80, F-86 and F-100. the Mk 2 Gyro Gunsight was considered an improvement over the Reflector gunsight used in the Battle of Britain. This is the film recording unit which plugs in to the Gyro Gun Sight Mk 2 and still has a film cartridge installed (no guarantees if it has been used or if the images would be any good!). Nonetheless a great piece for display with a Gyro Gun Sight and in very good condition, well marked.
$120 / £90 / €105
 RAF mock-up instrument panel with working lights. |  RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |
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 RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |  RAF Gun Camera Film cartridge Mk II |