US Navy Slote and Klein AN6540 summer flying helmet in unissued condition, no receivers fitted.
Unissued condition later war USN / USMC summer flight helmet made uunder contract N288s. Size Medium which equates to Large in AAF equivalent (same size as the AN-H-16 above!). Impossible to upgrade!
SOLD
 USN AN6540 unissued |
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 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
 USN AN6540 unissued |
Scarce Great War Royal Flying Corps cowl type flying helmet.
Now harder than ever to find, these cowl type helmets were issued to all RFC pilots and aircrews, though they are said to have been favoured by gunners who had to stand up in their turrets and were exposed to cold air - however photgraphs show they were also worn extensively by pilots of both figher (scout ) aircarft and bombers. In overall great display condition, the leather is very good, although it could probably use some dressing. The chamois lining is also good and the War Dept issue stamp can be seen, though faintly, inside. The fur area has moulted, as is common, and the skin shows some minor insect damage, but this doesn't show when displayed. The helmet retains it's earflaps and original chin strap and nuckle. The padded cylinders were clearly removed at the time (as was common practice - they were found to be useless at deflecting sound and actually caused more noise from vibrating). The keather is evenly faded around their stitch holes showing this was definitely a period modification. A very scarce helmet in good to very good condiiton.
SOLD
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
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 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
 RFC cowl / hood flying helmet |
RARE 1942 dated Luftwaffe rubberized linen night bombing target map of Aberdeen and Peterhead, Scotland.
Small scale map measures 53 cm x 43 cm (23" x 17") printed in colour on brght yellow rubberized linen. Single-sided in outstanding condition, very clean and no folds or pin holes as are usually found. These were carried in night bombing aircraft - the yellow background and bright features showing up well under red cockpit lighting. Being waterproof they could also be used for sailing / navigation in the event of ditching or baling out at sea. Maps shows depths of North Sea off the coast of Scotland as well as major targets on the northern Scottish coast. Aberdeen was bombed very badly in April 1943 by waves of Luftwaffe bombers coming from bases in Norway. These target maps are quite rare and highly sought after accessories and make attractive displays alongside Luftwaffe flying kit.
SOLD
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
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 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
 Luftwaffe target map SCOTLAND |
NEW LISTINGS!
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RAF Sherry glasses from the officers' mess.
A matching set of four sherry glasses from an RAF officer's mess, dating from c.1930 to WWII. Excellent condition with no cracks or chips and etched RAF crest. Would prefer to sell as a set, since all are matched, but if no interest will split and sell individually.
All 4: $150 / £120 / €130
Each: $45 / £35 / €40
 RAF sherry glasses |  RAF sherry glasses |
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 RAF sherry glasses |
RAF egg cup from the officers' mess.
Eggs were a very rare commodity back in WWII and reserved only for those flying on ops. (everyone else had to make do with powdered eggs). Imagine arriving back at dawn after a long night raid and being able to enjoy a soft boiled egg - it was quite a luxury. This egg cup is exquisite: bone china made by Aynsley, with a blue glaze, gold leaf trim and RAF crest lithographed in blue. No cracks, chips or damage - perfect condition.
 RAF officer's mess egg cup |
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 RAF officer's mess egg cup |
Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
Flying Helmets and Headgear
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag Matching dates and scarce large size (3).
Lovely complete set in very good condition. Mk 1A bonedome is a size 3 dated 1967 with a clean white leather interior; minor surface scratches but visor is in great shape and includes velvet lined cover. Type G helmet is fully wired, size 3 and also 1967 dated. Ear pads slightly different colour leather but both with same name written and as issued. Oxygen mask is marked 4/66 so was made in last quarter of 1966 and is in excellent condition, superb rubber is clean and pliable, clean white leather lining and small microphone. Mask lacks its left hand strap (a simple elastic strap with 2 snap fasteners) but replacements can be found easily. All pieces come together with correct transit/storage bag. Early jet helmets are becoming highly collectible and are getting quite difficult to find, especially the larger sizes in this kind of condition. An excellent set.
$750 / £615 / €715
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
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 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bagDSCN4029 |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |  RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
 RAF Mk1A bonedome + Type G flying helmet fully-wired, Type H mask and carrying bag |
Nicely worn USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted.
Combat worn and weary example of this late war US Navy and Marine Corps flying helmet with lots of stories to tell – if only it could! Khaki cotton unlined helmet is grubby overall from use. Goggle straps have been removed leaving small holes in the back. The chin strap snap closure has pulled through but is still present (attached to chin strap). Buckles on each side for attaching the oxygen mask are still present. Retains a good pair of ANB-H-1 receivers in the hard rubber noise attenuating holders which are fitted with a good set of chamois "donuts." Could be used for spares but actually displays nicely as a true combat veteran.
$75 / £61 / €72
 USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |  USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |
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 USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |  USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |
 USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |  USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |
 USN / USMC AN6542-1 flying helmet with receivers fitted |
Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet.
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, though similar, featured additional mask fittings for the new P/Q series and a more comfortable, integral nape strap. Made from the same blue-grey Airtex fabric as the Type G, the two are often confused. This example has seen better days but still displays quite well. Rust stained 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, it has a couple of the snap fasteners pulled through, although these are still present and could be repaired easily. It includes the hard-to-find large leather/rubber ear pads in good condition and, rather than a label as was sewn to later production helmets, it is ink stamped with sizing information (size 2, medium). Lacks chin strap in photos but I have now installed the correct chin strap. A very scarce helmet that is still quite reasonable for display and priced accordingly.
$50 / £40 / €48
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
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 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired.
In contrast to the above Type F helmet, this Type G is in perfect condition, showing almost no wear or use, despite being named inside one of the ear pads. A beautiful example of the Type G which replaced the Type F helmet. The Type G entered RAF service in 1954 and remained in use until the 1990s, worn alone as a flying helmet in transport and reconnaissance aircraft, but also used underneath the Mk Ia bone dome in jet fighters etc. Later examples were manufactured in green Airtex cloth. This helmet has a sewn-in label dated 1969, and is fully wired with the correct receivers, cord and plug, as well as the socket for the oxygen mask microphone. The cloth is fresh and clean, as are the large leather and rubber telephone housings. Size 2 (medium), in overall excellent condition.
$75 / £60 / €72
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
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 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
 RAF Type G flying helmet, fully wired |
AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history including Hollywood connection.
A well used (with good reason!) AN-H-15 flying helmet which belonged to a well known Hollywood film cameraman with wartime and postwar use. Cliff Shirpser was an aerial film cameraman before the war who joined the AAF in WWII and pioneered use of his own cameras mounted in B-25 aircraft flying with the 10th AF in the CBI. After the war, he continued his work as an aerial photographer, wearing this helmet (and his A-2 jacket) while working on Hollywood blockbusters. His professional work included just about every well known movie made between 1921 and 1964, including Gone with the Wind, Ben-Hur, Flying Leathernecks, Run Silent, Run Deep, Flying Tigers, Destry Rides Again, Mutiny on the Bounty and dozens more (a full list will be included, as well as photo copies of documents and photos of Shirpser).This helmet was part of a large grouping of items belonging to Shirpser that included another identical helmet all sold long ago; I kept this one purely because of its historical interest and association with the movie industry. Helmet is a size Large, complete with HS-38 headset. It is grubby and has no chin strap, but no damage. A fantastic piece of AAF CBI / movie history which comes with a lot of research!
$350 / £285 / €338
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
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 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 AAF AN-H-15 flying helmet with great history |
 Cliff_Shirpser_India_1943 |
 B-25_Tail_Cameras |
 Shirpser |
 Shirpser |
Unissued chin cup the US Navy M-450 summer flying helmet.
Original unissued leather chin cup in "oyster" coloured leather with chamois lining for the M-450 and NAF 1092S summer flying helmet.
$48 / £40 / €45
 Chin cup the US Navy M-450 summer flying helmet |  Chin cup the US Navy M-450 summer flying helmet |
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WWII production RCAF marked sponge rubber pads for zip ear pockets on Type B and Naval Type C flying helmets.
Original WWII stock. Sponge rubber cushions fit inside the zip ear pockets of the Type B and Naval Type C helmets to provide noise attenuation and padding. For some reason the Canadian-made types have better longevity and therefore do not harden and damage the leather and electrics of the helmet. Unissued condition, black or grey rubber available.
$40 / £32 / €38 per pair
 RCAF B helmet sponge pads |  RCAF B helmet sponge pads |
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 RCAF B helmet sponge pads |
AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers.
Standard issue summer flying helmet for the US Army Air Corps in the early days of the war, although somewhat shortlived, because it was largely upstaged by the A-9. This particular A-8 was used for training purposes, having Gosport inlet tubes fitted, together with orange "powder puff" cushions inside. Lacking its chin cup and label, but I would guess size L or XL the way it fits a male mannequin head. Has some threadbare areas showing mostly on the inside (which all these early unlined cotton helmets seem to have) but for all that remains intact and displays well. An honest example of a helmet that was never produced in huge numbers and is now becoming fairly scarce.
$95 / £85 / €85
 AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |  AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |
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 AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |  AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |
 AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |  AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |
 AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |  AAF A-8 Flying Helmet with Gosport tube receivers |
RAF face defenders for Type B helmet / Type D oxygen mask.
Good original set of face defenders, as issued with the Type B flying helmet, to prevent the wearer getting a "freeze burn" from the bare metal fasteners mounted on each side. These were usually sewn to the sides of the Type D oxygen mask to enable it to be worn with the Type B helmet. Webbing tapes with chamois backing. Show light use but great condition.
$65 / £48 / €58
 RAF face defenders for Type B helmet / Type D oxygen mask |  RAF face defenders for Type B helmet / Type D oxygen mask |
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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.
ON HOLD
 WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier deck handler's helmet |  WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier deck handler's helmet |
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 WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier deck handler's helmet |  WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier deck handler's helmet |
 WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier deck handler's helmet |  WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft carrier deck handler's helmet |
 WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft carrier deck handler's helmet |
AAF Type A-1 Visor for A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmet.
Green cotton covered visor, with webbing tapes and two snaps/press studs for attaching to specially modified A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmets, for aircrews flying in bright sunlight.
Well marked, excellent condition showing light use.
$75 / £55 / €65
 AAF Type A-1 Visor for A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmet |  AAF Type A-1 Visor for A-11 or ANH-15 flying helmet |
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AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet, size medium.
The very basic summer weight flying helmet with which the US Army Air Corps entered WWII. A simple, unlined OD cotton skull cap with a leather chin strap wrapped in shearling, with shearling pads on the inside to cover the ears and webbing patches sewn to the outside securing hooks to which the A-9 and A-10 Standard oxygen mask would then be attached. It also has drawstring cords for tightening the brow and nape. These helmets were intended to fit very tightly and therefore sizes tend to run on the small side. This is a size medium which is actually quite generous. It has the addition of webbing tapes with snaps mounted so that a later A-10A or A-14 oxygen mask may be worn. It has a small tear at the back where the cotton fabric has separated but apart from that looks to be unissued or unworn. While once considered very common, like everything else, these are beginning to dry up.
$50 / £37 / €42 email to secure this item
 AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet |
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 AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet |
 AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet |
 AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet |
 AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet |
Early Luftwaffe model FK34 Summer Flying helmet.
A very early production FK34 Summer Flying Helmet in very good clean condition. Nice salt and pepper weave cotton fabric body with brown cotton lining, leather trim and heavily plated hardware. Super high quality. This helmet was designed for pre-radio days and was usually worn by pilots of single seat aircraft, and even gliders (many early photos show this type of helmet being worn by Me109 pilots). Condition is great. It has a simple label inside with the RB Number printed and size 55, pretty small - suggesting perhaps a young trainee glider pilot. Early examples like this are not common.
$180 / £130 / €150 email to secure this item
 Luftwaffe FK34 Flying Helmet |
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 Luftwaffe FK34 Flying Helmet |
 Luftwaffe FK34 Flying Helmet |
 Luftwaffe FK34 Flying Helmet |
 Luftwaffe FK34 Flying Helmet |
AAF Type A-11 flying helmet size Medium by Fox Chase Knitting Mills.
Nice example of a used - but not abused - A-11 flying helmet manufactured by Fox Chase Knitting Mills, one of the least often encountered labels in my experience. Leather is excellent, chamois lining is a little grubby from wear but there is no damage. Has several names written inside and then inked out. The small U-shaped lock on the chin strap buckle is absent but could easily be replaced and pilots almost never buckled their helmets anyway. Nice decal to side is 90% complete, which is unusual - these "water slide" decals almost always wore away. Size medium which makes it the perfect size for display on a standard male feature head. No receivers or wiring fitted.
$150 / £122 / €126 email to secure this item
 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
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 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
 AAF A-11 flying helmet FOX |
US Air Force nylon flying helmet bag.
Hard to find and always in demand for their utility, as well as their intended function! USAF helmet bag, introduced in the 1960s and issued during the Vietnam War and for many years afterwards, made from "rip-stop" nylon and well padded between the outer layer and the lining. Perfect working zip, clip-hook for hanging up and two large cargo pockets which fasten with snaps and velcro on the side. Excellent, almost unused condition.
$50 / £40 / €45
 US Air Force nylon flying helmet bag |  US Air Force nylon flying helmet bag |
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 US Air Force nylon flying helmet bag |