Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Goggles
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RAF Mk IVB flying goggles.
A very good pair of Mk IVB flying goggles, first issued in July 1940 and used during the Battle of Britain. Frames are excellent with no damage and retaining 99% of original black painted finish. Strong loops and leather strap which is well marked with Air Ministry property mark, stores ref. number and maker, W.S. & S. (William Stephenson and Son). Leather is very good. Lenses show some light delamination and rubber pads have hardened as is usually the case. Overall a very good pair.
$525 / £410 / €480
 RAF Mk IVB flying goggles |  RAF Mk IVB flying goggles |
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 RAF Mk IVB flying goggles |  RAF Mk IVB flying goggles |
 RAF Mk IVB flying goggles |
RAF Mk VIII flying goggles.
Very good pair of Mk VIII goggles showing light use. Probably post war production, my guess would be late 1940s/early 1950s. Same style as wartime with high padded "shoulders" and suede backing to 3-piece cushion. The strap still has elasticity though slightly stretched and grubby with one small hole. Has the nice light leather fittings.
$175 / £138 / €164
 RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |  RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |
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 RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |  RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |
 RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |
US Army / AAF / USN Polaroid 1021 all-purpose goggles.
Though issued as "All-Purpose" goggles, these proved popular with aviators in both the AAF and USN – and also with the RAF (notably RAF ace Ginger Lacey is often pictures wearing these). Very good condition; the rubber is flexible and the elastic stretches perfectly. The sponge backing is a little dry but not perished or flaking at all and still springy. Good green lens fitted.
$60 / £48 / €55
 US AAF Polaroid 1021 all-purpose gogglesDSCN9989 |  US AAF Polaroid 1021 all-purpose goggles |
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 US AAF Polaroid 1021 all-purpose goggles |
AAF Type B-8 goggles in original Polaroid box.
Excellent set of Polaroid B-8 goggles in their original Polaroid box. The box itself is quite unusual, perhaps some kind of economy measure – a simple cardboard box with printed labels on the top and inside the lid – compared to the standard laminated, hinged box most often seen. Goggles are in superb condition, showing very minimal wear and remain nice and pliable, with a fitted amber celluloid lens and good strap. Also unusual is the fact they are double marked in the moulding as Aviation Goggle No. 1065 on the top and Type B-8 on the side, as well as property USAAF. A very nice variation.
$165 / £135 / €155
 AAF Type B-8 goggles in original Polaroid box |  DSCN9843 |
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 DSCN9844 |  DSCN9842 |
 DSCN9841 |  DSCN9840 |
 DSCN9836 |  DSCN9839 |
 DSCN9837 |
RAF Mk VII goggles, cut down and with simple spring hinge fitted.
A fairly common modification, though it is difficult to know whether this was done during the war or later, from surplus Mk VII goggles. The large blue painted brass frames of Mk VII goggles have been cut down to approximately the dimensions of Mk VIIIs – the edges rolled (like early Mk VIIIs) and retaining the large leather pads and the elasticized webbing strap of Mk VIIs. The large central bar has been replaced with a simple but strong spring to provide enough tension for a good and comfortable fit. Standard Mk VII / Mk VIII lenses are fitted. Minor delamination to lenses. Original Mk VII strap is fully elastic and pads are soft.
$195 / £155 / €180
 RAF Mk VII goggles, cut down and with simple spring hinge fitted |  DSCN9137 |
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 DSCN9136 |  DSCN9134 |
Rare Luftwaffe 3rd pattern hinged Nitsche & Gunther Splitterschuttzbrille goggles with tin case.
A great original used set of N&G anti-splinter goggles, (splitterschutzbrille), designed with curved lenses to deflect small splinters and debris while providing good peripheral vision. Black bakelite plastic frames are hinged to provide a good fit (earlier patterns were moulded in one piece in different sizes and did not fit as well). Condition is very good, with excellent tinted lenses and frames. The ribbed silk strap shows slight wear and soiling from use but still displays well, and the elasticated section at the back still stretches perfectly. Stored in their tin case with embossed nomenclature and FL number and original paper tube inside. Tin has a few dings and dents but has protected the goggles well. Originals are getting very difficult to find.
$1,500 / £1,185 / €1,385
 Rare Nitsche & Gunther Splitterschuttzbrille goggles with tin case |  DSCN8907 |
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 DSCN8910 |  DSCN8908 |
 DSCN8912 |  DSCN8911 |
 DSCN8909 |  DSCN8906 |
RAF Mk VIII aircrew anti-glare spectacles with correct case.
Excellent pair of Mk VIII aircrew spectacles, anti-glare, in their fitted velvet lined metal case. Spectacles are in great condition, with good frames, tight hinges and lenses having one tiny chip on the rear (at the edge of the frame so it cannot be seen and doesn't interfere with vision). Maker marked WOC (Wheway Optical Company) on brow bar, plus nice clear Air Ministry mark and stores ref. number on both frame arms. Case is solid with great markings and full stores ref. information visible, but cloth covering has wear around the edges. The cases are quite scarce - many of these spectacles turn up in Mk VIIIA cases which had different markings.
$150 / £120 / €140
 RAF Mk VIII Aircrew Spectacles with caseDSCN3504 |  DSCN3505 |
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 DSCN3506 |  IMG_7620 |
 IMG_7622 |  IMG_7621 |
 DSCN3503 |
Original wartime used Bausch & Lomb Ray-Ban sunglasses.
"Ray-Ban" sunglasses fist appeared in the 1930s and soon became so popular with aviators that the Army Air Corps contracted with Bausch & Lomb to produce sunglasses under contract. This is an early example of commercial Ray-Bans, which came with a large collection of wartime AAF kit. They are well used though still intact with good hinges, clean light green lenses and all parts complete. Frames show some verdigris and oxidation and the crossbar is split (but intact and could be restored if desired) but the all important maker mark "Bausch & Lomb" clearly visible on the bridge.
$75 / £62 / €70
 AAF original Bausch & Lomb Rayban sunglasses |  AAF original Bausch & Lomb Rayban sunglasses |
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 IMG_9905 |  IMG_9904 |
 DSCN8375 |  DSCN8372 |
 DSCN8373 |
RAF aircrew "haze" screen by Kodak.
Issued to observers on maritime and other reconnaissance aircraft as an aid to spotting oil slicks, submarines, enemy aircraft etc. Each coloured filter served a different purpose depending on weather conditions. Officially recorded as flying clothing these were issued as flying goggles with the stores ref. number 22C/872.
Wooden frame is maker marked (Kodak Ltd, London). Later examples were made of bakelite and had a cut out for use with an oxygen mask. Not a common item.
$135 / £110 / €125
 RAF aircrew "haze" screen by Kodak |  RAF aircrew "haze" screen by Kodak |
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 IMG_9075 |
WWII Italian Air Force "Protector" goggles with case.
Very good rare pair of "Protector" goggles by "La Cicogna" (The Stork) of Turin. These were popular in the 1930s with Italian racing and competition pilots and continued in use throughout the war. Well marked throughout and though the strap has lost its elasticity and the rubber cushions have hardened, they display well. Cushions have no damage and are not misshaped in any way. Complete with their original aluminium case which is also well marked.
$375 / £295 / €345
 WWII Italian Air Force "Protector" goggles with case |  IMG_9327 |
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 IMG_9328 |  IMG_9326 |
 IMG_9325 |  IMG_9324 |
 IMG_9323 |  IMG_9321 |
 DSCN7700 |  IMG_9320 |
 DSCN7701 |
Scarce Italian Air Force issue "Protector" type flying goggles.
By far the most popular of the Italian Air Force flying goggles of WWII, these "Protector" goggles were worn by the competitive racing pilots and retained for use by combat aircrews. Plated frames with tubular rubber cushions, clear glass lenses and a silky elastic strap. The cushions are perfectly pliable and frames are without any dings or damage. Strap is slightly stretched out butu still retains its elasticity. A lovely example of these quite rare goggles.
$350 / £275 / €320
 Italian Air Force issue "Protector" type flying goggles |  DSCN7172 |
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 DSCN7175 |  IMG_9122 |
 IMG_9102 |  DSCN7174 |
Luftwaffe / Heer all purpose goggles..
Very good pair of German WWII all purpose goggles, worn for dust protection in desert regions and carried in the Luftwaffe survival kits. The leather is actually really good and soft, though scuffed at the folds from storage (looks worse in the photos). Part cotton and part elastic strap still has elasticity.
$75 / £60 / €70
 Luftwaffe / Heer all purpose goggles. |  Luftwaffe / Heer all purpose goggles. |
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US Navy Korean War aviator's red sunglasses for night vision adaption and for observing tracer.
Same style as WWII US Navy sunglasses but oilcloth case is marked USN and dated 1954. Fitted with a single, red acetate lens which wraps around to block out as much outside light as possible. These were worn half an hour before night flight to acclimatize the wearer to the dark. They were also worn to observe tracer ammunition. Maker marked "Pioneer" these sunglasses have plastic frames with comfort cables and are in excellent condition. The snap fastener on the case has pulled through but still present.
$65 / £52 / €60
 US Navy Korean War aviator's red sunglasses for night adaption and for observing tracer |  DSCN6649 |
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 DSCN6653 |  DSCN6651 |
 DSCN6652 |  DSCN6647 |
RAF anti-dim cloth in tin as issued with the Mk VIII goggles.
A hard-to-find accessory: the small tin containing anti-dim cloth as issued with every pair of Mk VIII goggles. The cloth impregnated with a compound that, when moistened, was rubbed on the lenses and prevented them from fogging up in flight. Excellent condition, some patina to the tin but cloths inside are perfect. A few available.
Price each
$25 / £20 / €23
 RAF anti-dim cloth in tin as issued with the Mk VIII goggles |  DSCN6403 |
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 DSCN6404 |  DSCN6406 |
WWI—1920s Triplex flying goggles.
An unusual and well-made pair of early flying goggles of American manufacture but using British Triplex lenses made under license. The lenses are typical Triplex design - laminated glass (showing minor signs of delamination) but fitted in nickel plated frames with green cotton surrounds and faux fur trim. Long elastic strap has lost its elasticity and needs tidying up to fit, but overall a very nice and unusual set of goggles, perfect for a Great War display.
$185 / £150 / €170
 WWI-1920s Triplex flying goggles |  DSCN5547 |
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 DSCN5548 |  IMG_8680 |
WWII US Navy Willson General Purpose goggles.
Often mistaken for flying goggles because of their resemblance to the "Rubber Frame Flying Goggles" also made by Willson. These were general purpose goggles issued to US Navy personnel such as gunners, observers and submarine crews for protection and visibility in hazy conditions. All rubber construction with an acetate lens and multiple vents to prevent fogging. Excellent condition, with original strap retaining its elasticity. Not easy to find!
$95 / £80 / €90
 US Navy Willson all-purpose goggles |  DSCN6133 |
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 DSCN6137 |  DSCN6134 |
 DSCN6135 |
Post WWII USSR flying/general purpose goggles.
Glass lenses, light alloy frames and one-piece rubber pad with a green elastic strap. These goggles are identical to the type issued during WWII and which remained as standard issue throughout the Cold War. The only visible difference is that wartime flying goggles had raised vents on the frames. Unissued condition and will serve as a filler until a pair of wartime production goggles can be found.
$35 / £30 / €32
 Post WWII USSR flying/general purpose goggles |  DSCN5497 |
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 DSCN5496 |  Post WWII USSR flying/general purpose goggles |
1944 dated Polaroid variable density goggles for observing tracer, atomic detonations etc. issued overseas, possibly Croatia?
Standard type variable density goggles by Polaroid, with central knob for adjusting darkness of tint and red flip shield for observing tracer ammunition and other incendiary devices. Very good condition, the rubber pliable and the strap retaining most elasticity. The knob, though a bit stiff, works fine and the lenses do darken nicely. The red screen is undamaged. Though marked US and dated 1944 to the front, these goggles are also marked with a crown and the initials HV. Never seen this before. HV is the national abbreviation for Croatia (Hrvatska) and the crown appears to be that of the Coatian aristocracy from 1939-43. Perhaps these were captured or procured by Croatian forces? Interesting. If anyone has more information, please don't hesitate to share!
$75 / £68 / €75
 Polaroid variable density goggles for observing tracer, atomic detonations etc. |  DSCN4931 |
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 DSCN4930 |  DSCN4929 |
 DSCN4925 |  DSCN4926 |
 DSCN4927 |
Replacement visor for the rare RAF Mk 2A bone-dome flying helmet.
Size LARGE replacement or spare visor for the Mk 2A bone-dome. This is has never been used (the holes are not drilled all the way through). Some very minor surface scratching but overall excellent example, rose smoke tinted with the clear half moons at the bottom. A very rare accessory for an extremely rare jet flying helmet.
$190 / £165 / €190
 åvisor for the rare RAF Mk 2A bone-dome flying helmet |  DSCN4918 |
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 DSCN4920 |  DSCN4919 |
Replacement lenses for RAF Mk II goggles.
These will work for the RAF Mk II goggles (Goggles, Flying, Lightweight) and also the WWI Goggles Mask Mk I and II. Precision, laser cut acryllic/plexiglas/perspex lenses in a light smoke tint intended to make the goggles display well or safer for wearing. How many times we come across goggles with cracked or broken lenses - or delaminated. These are not intended to fool anyone but they look the part. They come as a pair, left and right, with protective plastic cover in place, in a small velverteen pouch with a cleaning cloth.
$35 / £33 / €37
 DSCN1152 |  DSCN7280 |
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 Replacement lenses for RAF Mk II goggles |
WWII replacement lenses for the AAF B-6, B-7, AN6530 + USN Mk II and Mk IV flying goggles.
Various available. Email to ask about green, amber or clear:
USN contract American Optical lenses clear (paper wrapped, unopened):
Per pair $35 / £33 / €37
A few loose (unwrapped) pairs and a few singles. email your needs.
 AAF / USN AO clear lenses for AN6530 |
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 AAF / USN AO clear lenses for AN6530 |
 AAF / USN AO clear lenses for AN6530 |