Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Helmets and Headgear
(click on pictures to enlarge)
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. ​
$495 / £375 / €425
 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. |
French aviator's Airaile Type 11 hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40.
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This is the Airaile Type 11 flying helmet by Guéneau; the standard pattern flying helmet worn by French Armée de l'Air pilots and crews pre-war and during the early months of WWII. Very good condition inside and out and marked as a size 59. Paper label long since detached. Version without the clips or snaps for fitting an oxygen mask, but has contoured ear flaps for housing receivers or Gosport tubes and snap-down leather tabs for securing the goggles. Chin strap appears to have been reattached during its working life.
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$450 / £345 / €390
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 French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |  French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |
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 French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |  French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |
 French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |  French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |
 French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |  French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |
 French aviator's hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40 |
Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment.
Standard issue for all Luftwaffe crews, both fighters and bombers, during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. The cotton shell is lined with satin and has formed, hard leather housings for telephone receivers, plus built-in throat microphones in an integral neck strap. Shows light use but no damage and is in overall very good condition. Shown with 10-67 oxygen mask for display only – mask is not included and no longer for sale. These helmets are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
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$525 / £400 / €455
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 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
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 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
 Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |  Luftwaffe LKpS101 summer flying helmet complete with all communications equipment. |
RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition.
Absolutely stunning example of the privately purchased full-hood or cowl type flying helmet (correctly identified as cap, flying, winter) worn by RFC pilots and observers circa 1915-16 prior to the introduction of the official "issue" flying kit. This helmet is definitely a deluxe model, superbly made from extremely high quality leather, and appears to have never been worn — remarkably clean inside and out. Leather is soft and supple and helmet displays perfectly. It features a soft cream leather and chamois interior, which would, I presume be far more comfortable than the fur-lined type as issued. This example would be very difficult to upgrade.
$1,325 / £995 / €1,140
 RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |  RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |
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 RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |  RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |
 RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |  RFC Cowl helmet in superb, unworn condition |
1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) warden's steel helmet.
A vital and valuable piece of home defence / home front protective clothing. The Mk II Brodie helmet painted white with the black band front-to-back and the large "W" indicating ARP Warden. Though the scourge of many civilians at the time with their "put that light out!" catch phrase, wardens helped keep the public safe during air raids and did a lot more besides. Original painted finish shows some honest wear and light oxidation, but helmet is actually in very good condition overall. Helmet shell is dated 1939 and comes complete with original liner and chin strap.
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SOLD
 1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |  1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |
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 1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |  1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |
 1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |  1939 dated ARP (Air Raid Precaution) steel helmet |
AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet - perfect for restoration.
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A great project helmet at a reasonable price. This AN-H-15 shows use but there is no damage to the cotton shell or the rubber ear cups. Strap is good and all leather tabs are intact. the chamois covered "donut" pads have been removed which does not affact display and they could be replaced. It shows white paint splatter (perhaps it was "borrowed" by a ground crewman for working on painting invasion stripes?), but otherwise in good shape, and a good candidate for restoration. Best f all, it's a size Large. Bargain priced!
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$50 / £38 / €45
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |  AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |
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 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |  AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |  AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet |
Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet.
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The Type F flying helmet was first developed and tested in 1950 as a successor to the ubiquitous Type C, because a new helmet was needed that would A) house new telephone receivers with larger noise attenuating pads and B) fit underneath a crash helmet (or "bone dome") when needed. The Type C remained in service for many years. The Type F, finally introduced into RAF service in 1954, was in service for less than a year, quickly superseded by the Type G which featured additional mask fittings for the new P/Q series and a more comfortable, integral nape strap. Made from blue-grey Airtex fabric. This example has some storage stains on one side with a small tear (about 3/4" long) in left crown area, and one or two pinhead sized holes in the Airtex, and a couple of the snap fasteners have pulled through the fabric. It includes the hard-to-find large leather/rubber ear pads in good condition a nice ink stamp with sizing information (size 2, medium). A very scarce helmet that is still quite reasonable for display (especially under a Mk I bone dome) and priced accordingly.
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$65 / £48 / €60
 RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |  RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |
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 RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |  RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |
 RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |  RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |
 RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |  RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear padsDSCN3874 |
 RAF Type F flying helmet with original large ear pads |
AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition.
Lovely, unissued example of the AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet introduced in 1944 for use in hot climates. Clean inside and out, never had receivers installed but rubber holders are pliable with no edge cracks or damage, Size medium but actually quite a generous size. This is the early version with 3 snaps/press stud fasteners on each side for attaching an oxygen mask. This one would be very difficult to upgrade.
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$95 / £75 / €90​
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
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 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes.
Commercial flying helmet by the well known Air Associates brand, mid-1930s. Very similar to the type issued to US Navy aircrews; excellent quality leather with a chamois lining and fitted with blackened copper Gosport receivers for training and internal communication. Shows honest use but no damage or undue wear. Lovely helmet.
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$150 / £120 / €140
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
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 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask.
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Excellent example of the early wartime A-9 flight helmet, as issued without ear cups but fitted with snap/stud fasteners for the A-14 mask (2 each side positioned correctly for the strap attachment). In all other respects, the helmet appears to be in unissued and certainly unworn condition. GReen cotton with lambswool fleece pads inside and fleec wrapped leather chin strap. Size medium with a good label inside.
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$70 / £55 / €65
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
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 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
US Army knitted balaclava style head and face protector.
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US Army knitted balaclava style hood issued to all branches of the Army including AAF air and ground crews servng in colder climates. Heavy, ribbed knit pattern in OD wool with facial opening that could be pulled under the chin to accommodate an oxygen mask. Nice 1941 dated printed QM label indicating manufacture by Lion Knitting Mills. Very good condition with no damage.
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$85 / £70 / €80
 DSCN8954 |  DSCN8953 |
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 IMG_0182 |  DSCN8955 |
WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft carrier deck handler's helmet.
A very scarce accessory - cotton helmet as worn by Royal Navy deck crews while manhandling aircraft on the flight decks of aircraft carriers during WWII. Each colour denoted a specific role or duty and I believe royal blue indicated starboard general duties. Simple unlined cotton helmet with a chin strap and buckle (essential for it not to be blown off in the high winds and propwash). Size 2 (Large) in unissued condition. See last photos for wartime colour photos of helmets being worn on cover and editorial in Illustrated News dated 1943. Note: this helmet is not the same as the US Navy issue deck helmets which were often modified into flying helmets by USN pilots. Very scarce item and the last one of a small batch I obtained a while back.
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$75 / £65 / €75
 DSCN0601 |  DSCN0604 |
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 DSCN0603 |  DSCN0600 |
 DSCN0602 |  DSCN0599 |