Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Helmets and Headgear
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors, dated 1940-41.
The rarest of the Commonwealth produced Type B flying helmets, New Zealand having a comparatively small (but highly effective) Air Force. Dark brown (almost black) leather, heavier than the British made helmets, fitted with zip ear covers over rubber telephone holders. Leather chin strap with Bennett buckle retaining its leather covering. The zips are slightly offset to the rear, with a circular opening for the wiring or fitting of Gosport receivers and tubes. Interesting and rare extra is this helmet still has its face protectors fitted inside the cheeks, ready to attach to a D Type oxygen mask or microphone carrier. Helmet shows use and lot of Brycreme residue but condition is overall very good, with little wear and no damage, other than the right hand inner chamois donut has worn through with some kapok filling escaping. There is a name and/or serial number inked inside but difficult to read. Lovely label with size 3 (very large helmet) and date of 1940-41. Rare and highly desirable helmet.​ Shown with RNZAF Mk IIIA goggles, also available
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RNZAF B Helmet only
$655 / £500 / €570
 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |
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 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |
 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |
 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |
 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectorsDSCN4702 |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectorsDSCN4700 |
 RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |  RNZAF Type B flying helmet, large size, with face protectors |
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 officers circa 1915-16 prior to the introduction of officially "issue" flying kit. This helmet has never been worn, and is clean inside and out. The leather is soft and supple and it displays perfectly. The leather covering on the chin strap buckle has dried out and is worn at the edges but in every other aspect this helmet is immaculate. It features a soft cream leather and chamois interior, which would, I presume be far more comfortable than the more issued fur lined type. This example would be very difficult to upgrade.
$1,495 / £1,140 / €1,295
 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 |
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. Very clean - appears unissued. Marked faintly as size 1, it is quite a generous fit (more like a size 2 medium) and displays perfectly on a standard male feature head. ​
$575 / £435 / €495
 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. |
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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$175 / £130 / €150
 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 |
USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large.
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Absolutely superb A-11 flying helmet, size large, by Fox Chase Knitting Mills, I. Miller Parachute Division – quite a scarce label. Lovely condition, unworn and presumably unissued, though it is fitted with correct ANB-H-1 telephone receivers. Superb soft leather and clean chamois lining, 3 press studs (snaps) each side, plus one more on the left jaw for securing the A-14 mask properly. Nice clear AAF decal on the left side of the helmet and great woven label inside. This example would be very difficult to upgrade.
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$375 / £285 / €330
 USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |  USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |
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 USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |  USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |
 USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |  USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |
 USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |  USAAF Type A-11 flying helmet in excellent, unissued condition, with receivers fitted. Size large. |
RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set.
Absolutely superb front line RAF mid-late 1960s jet fighter pilot helmet ensemble. This complete set comprises a beautiful Mk 1A "bone dome" hard shell helmet, together with its Type G blue cloth flying helmet and Type A-13A pressure demand oxygen mask. All items are in excellent condition. The "bone dome" has a superb soft leather lining with several different names written in from reissue. Both the outer helmet and Type G are large size 3 and show light use but no damage. Visor is clean and comes with its velvet lined protective cover. G helmet is fully wired with correct receivers and both plugs. Mask is in excellent condition, fully pliable and no perishing. Perfect set up to depict a Hunter, Javelin or Lightning fighter pilot. These helmets are becoming extremely difficult to source, especially complete and in such fine condition.
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ON HOLD
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
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 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
 RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |  RAF Mk 1A jet helmet with Type G inner helmet and Type A-13A oxygen mask - lovely complete set |
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 |