USN M-450 flying helmet with TH-37 receivers and  TC-66 ear cups.

 

PLEASE REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHS CAREFULLY. This is a very scarce and highly sought after variation of the standard US Navy flying helmet which has sadly suffered the ravages of time and poor storage.  While it may be possible to restore or improve the look for display purposes, it is sold AS IS. The M-450 helmet is in great shape; the cotton body is clean, with a good label and fitted with its correct original chin cup in grey/oyster coloured leather. As was popular among carrier pilots, especially at Midway and early in the Pacific war, it has been modified by adding the red rubber section of the TC-66 ear cups, sewn directly to the helmet. Both ear cups have completely hardened, but while the right-hand ear cup retains its shape, is securely attached to the helmet and looks fine on display, the left-hand ear cup has pulled away from its stitching along the top and is attached only at the lower half. Perhaps this could be reinforced or somehow reattached, but that is for the new owner to decide. The TH-37 receivers are quite firmly installed on both sides. In top condition, this variation of the M-450 often sells for very high prices. This is example is priced according to its condition. 

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$300 / £228 / €255   email to secure this item

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.

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$45 / £35 / €38   email to secure this item

AAF Type A-9 Flying Helmet, size small.

 

An interesting variation of the A-9 basic summer weight flying helmet.​ A simple, unlined cotton skull cap with a leather chin strap, no shearling wrap or ear pads on this model, though it has webbing patches sewn to the outside securing hooks for the A-9 and A-10 Standard oxygen mask and drawstring cords for tightening the brow and nape. This variant has circular cut-outs on each side for installing receivers or Gosport tubes. It is also produced in a more attractive dark green cotton. It also has the addition of webbing tapes with snaps mounted so that a later A-10A or A-14 oxygen mask may be worn. This is a size small and really is very small, though it displays fine.

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$40 / £30 / €34   email to secure this item

RARE late war AAF Type A-10A summer flying helmet complete with HS-38 headset.

 

The A-10 saw very limited production due to the development of the similar AN-H-15 intended for both Army and Navy use. The improved A-10A summer flying helmet was a "last hurrah" for the Army Air Forces. Introduced in 1945 and featuring minor modifications over the A-10, it was the last flying helmet independently procured by the Army Air Forces and examples of this scarce helmet are missing from many collections. It differed from the AN-H-15 in having cotton goggle strap tabs and a different chin strap arrangement. This is example is service used but overall very good condition. It is slightly grubby and shows wear to the brow liner inside but displays well. Fitted with correct ANB-H-1 receivers, long cord and plug.

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$255 / £195 / €215  email to secure this item

WWI era German flying helmet, of the standard, soft type preferred by most fighter pilots.

 

While early German flying helmets are often difficult to date accurately, because the style remained in use and in production well into the 1930s for use by glider trainees, this example ticks all the right boxes for one of genuine WWI manufacture. From its patterned blanket lining to the Flox marked, chrome-plated snaps on the flaps it appears to have the right characteristics for pre-1918 production. It shows use and wear but no damage and would display well. One eyelet on the chin strap is missing, but I can find no other flaws. 

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$220 / £170 / €187  email to secure this item

RCAF Type B Flying helmet, modified for face mask or microphone carrier.

 

Canadian made flying helmet in very good condition, large size 3, well marked inside, which has been modified by adding two friction buckles to the right hand side and a small button to the left hand side, perhaps for fitting a facemask or even a microphone carrier mask. Helmet has never been fitted with zip ear covers for receivers. The two buckles are official types - the same as are fitted to the hemet chin strap and rear tightening strap, secured with leather tabs. hand sewn butu nicely done. An interesting variation. 

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$250 / £190 / €212  email to secure this item

RAF Type F Flying Helmet, c.1954. The first postwar RAF helmet.

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A scarce RAF Type F Flying Helmet, the first issued flying helmet following WWII, comprising a blue grey Airtex cotton construction with large oval rubber and leather pads to house electronics. This helmet was very quickly withdrawn and replaced with the Type G which looked very similar but had a slightly different tightening arrangement at the nape and a totally different arrangement of studs for attaching the new generation of oxygen masks. The Type G remained in use until the 1970s. This helmet is the largest size made, size 4 (extra-large) and is in very good condition, showing light use but no damage or excessive wear, but lacking one rear goggle retaining strap (easily replaced).

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$75 / £60 / €65  email to secure this item

Flight test facility General Purpose helmet.

 

These first appeared many years ago described as "RAF training helmets" which they were not. I have seen them described as "Despatch rider helmets" which is possible, but I have encountered several with ink stamps linking them to various aircraft factories including Handley Page, Avro and De Havilland, which leads me to think that they were perhaps issued to these facilities as general purpose helmets: possibly for despatch riders, drivers, and even for mechanics or VIP passengers on short demonstration flights. Made from the exact same waterproofed canvas fabric as the Type B oxygen mask (Type E microphone mask) and blanket wool lined, they were certainly suitable for flying with roll-up ear flaps, brow strap and elasticated nape. War Dept  (rather than Air Ministry) marked, most are dated 1940 or earlier. Markings have worn faint on this example though the WD stamp is still visible. An interesting helmet and no RAF collection is complete without one!

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$150 / £120 / €130  email to secure this item

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Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Type C Flying Helmet late war, fully wired.

 

Lovely used example of the naval version iconic flying helmet, built with radio and Gosport communications. Leather is in excellent condition, as is the chamois lining, though it is grubby from hair oil and shows use but no abuse or damage. Fitted with correct receivers, internal (partly enclosed) wiring loom and plug for the oxygen mask as well as the bell-shaped jack plug. Braided cord has a couple of worn spots, nothing serious, and rim of bell plug is chipped and broken away, but again, this doesn't particularly spoil its appearance for display. Size 2 (medium) so fits well on a standard male feature display head. Chin strap somewhat stretched out. A true veteran! This is the last version of the Type C, with the wiring not fully enclosed (making it easier for riggers to work on) and extra tabs to the rear of the helmet. 

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$485 / £390 / €435  email to secure this item

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.

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$200 / £165 / €185  email to secure this item

Luftwaffe LKpN101 Netzkopfhaube mesh flying helmet with all communications and short cord with plug

 

Lovely used example of the net/mesh summer flying helmet most favoured by fighter pilots with the Luftwaffe. This is the first type, with provision only for the double strap oxygen mask (studs on each cheek). Brown cotton mesh is perfect - no holes or snags. Leather is excellent, lightly scuffed on the outside of the ear cups but with a little dressing would come up beautifully. Metal fittings have some oxidation. One snap fastener has been removed from neck strap which was a standard and common practice. Helmet is fitted with receivers, including the small celluloid noise attenuators in place (though one is cracked/split). Includes wiring, throat microphones and short cord with 4-point plug. Great label - appears to be a size 56. Definitely above average condition and nice examples are getting harder to find.

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$475 / £365 / €405  email to secure this item

1930s Burberry flying helmet with Gosport receivers fitted.

 

While many RAF pilots are depicted wearing Lewis Leathers helmets during their halcyon training days with the Auxiliary Air Force, no doubt the well-to-do weekend warrior would have had a helmet exactly like this! Bearing the exclusive Burberry label - the company that first made its name by supplying the very highest quality military uniforms and clothing. Borrowing from the very first RFC flying helmets (Burberry was a preferred supplier to RFC officers), this style is known as a "lappi" helmet, because of its extraordinarily long strap, designed to wrap around the head to provide a tight and secure fit. This example was well loved and saw a lot of action, though by the sheer quality of the leather, remains in great shape. There is wear internally to the brow area, and a few surface scrapes on the strap from where it has been tightened, but the glove soft black leather is superb and remains supple and strong. The gold silk embroidered Burberry label is clear and intact, and the helmet retains its original De Havilland type chrome plated Gosport receivers. The rear seam has separated for the bottom half inch (or may have been opened up by the owner for a more comfortable fit). A fabulous flying helmet which displays superbly and would look great alongside a Type B as a reminder of those Auxiliary Air Force training days.

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$250 / £205 / €232  email to secure this item

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WWI US Air Service issue pattern flying helmet.

 

The standard pattern flying helmet as issued to aviators in the US Army Air Service at the tail end of WWI. Soft leather helmet lined with blanket wool, with rectangular ear flaps, long chin strap and short bill. It also had short goggle retaining tabs on each side and was stamped on the back with Quartermaster's Stores information. The ink stamping, in reddish purple ink, is almost always blurred to obliteration, but contained words to the effect of "US Air Service" followed by a date (usually May 1918 based upon previous examples I have handled). The ink stamping is illegible but obvious what it represents. One of the goggle tabs is missing, and there is a small square area of leather worn away on the rear, otherwise this helmet is in good condition. Few are found these days due to to the poor quality of leather and tanning process used, this being a rare survivor in above average condition.

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$300 / £260 / €280

email to secure this item

Scarce early AAF type A-11A flying helmet.

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Lovely example of the early production run of A-11 helmet, later re-issued as A-11A. These early pattern helmets were made from a higher grade of cape leather which soon ran out forcing a change in the contract. Early examples had no provision for attaching the mask, with snap fasteners being added in the field as needed (or in this case, not added, perhaps suggesting use of the A-8B mask, or the A-9/A-10 with Juliet harness). The helmet also features an elasticated gusset at the back instead of the strap and buckle fitted the later A-11. Spec. label has been removed - most likely because this helmet was redesignated mid-production. I would estimate it's a Large size. It is stamped inside with the AAF acceptance mark and is in overall very good condition.

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$195 / £160 / €175  email to secure this item

RAF Type B Flying Helmet without zipped ear cups (never been added).

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Appears to have been used  but never had the zipped ear cups added. A lovely helmet in very good condition with light wear but not as grubby as most. Size 2 (medium) with beautiful Wareings label and 1939 date. Retains both Bennett buckles with leather coverings and metal "V" shaped tip to chin strap. Some minor scuffing, mostly to front brow area where goggles would have been worn. Leather and chamois are both in very good condition. Unusla to find a Type B wihtout the zipped ears showing any kind of use - although they were also worn by British paratroppers duitng training.

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$325 / £250 / €300  email to secure this item

Lovely RCAF Canadian made Type B flying helmet in a large size 3.

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Excellent example of the Canadian made flying helmet based on the iconic RAF Type B. Lovely soft chestnut brown leather with soft chamois lining, zipped ear compartments for telephone receivers (not fitted), leather chin strap and chrome plated metal buckles. Inside is marked with broad arrow inside a large "C" and size 3. It is also named iniside one of the ear cups. A really nice gently used example.

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$425 / £330 / €395  email to secure this item

AAF Type A-1 Snap-on Visor for flying helmet.

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Quite a difficult item to find because they didn't make or issue too many of these. For pilots who spent any amount of time flying in direct sunlight, these, together with sunglasses, could help alleviate glare and the stress. It required 2 male snaps fasteners to be attached to the flying helmet, usually on the hard rubber ear cups. Excellent condition and well-marked. 

 

$85 / £65 / €79   email to secure this item

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. 

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$150 / £122 / €126  email to secure this item

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Scarce 1920s US Navy intermediate / lightweight flying helmet.

 

This is a scarce early US Navy issue intermediate weight flying helmet, made from super high quality glove leather lined with chamois. Though the helmet is sadly not in pristine condition, the leather is still soft and pliable and actually displays well. The surface of the leather has dried out and rubbed from being folded and perhaps improperly stored, but it does not appear to be rotted or weak and the wear is to the surface. t is most noticeable on the centerline where it was folded, around the edge and the rear panel at the nape. The snaps for the goggle straps have partially pulled through but remain secure. The chamois lining has separated at the crown on the inside. However, the leather is strong and the helmet displays well. It is of the unusual pattern with the extremely long "lappi" style chin strap and buckle.  The helmet is well marked "USN" with a size tag that reads "7" and is named in two places to "Cox." A seldom seen helmet that would certainly fill a gap in most collections until a better replacement can be found. Priced according to its condition but a very scarce helmet nonetheless.

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$135 /  £105 / €120  email to secure this item

Great War French Roold aviator's safety helmet in good condition and a large size. 

 

Produced for and sold in the Roold Department store in Paris, this helmet became ubiquitous in the Great War and was used by all the warring nations. It was standard issue for French aviators but also found its way into Royal Flying Corps inventory and was also used by German flyers, since at one time or another, almost all armies were stationed in or around Paris. This example shows use but is in remarkable condition for its age. The oilcloth covered cork is nicely darkened from engine oil  but retains its shape well;l. The brass "wheel" inserts in the ear flaps appear to have been removed, perhaps to facilitate better communications? There are two holes purposely cut into the side skirts, perhaps to toe a scarf or even an early oxygen mask? The helmet retains its quilted lining and inner elastic strap (no longer stretchy) as well as its original chin strap button. A very large size 59. 

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$850 / £650  / €760  email to secure this item

AAF Type A-11 flying helmet fitted with Type A-1 sun visor.

 

A very scarce modification of the A-11 flying helmet, fitted with snaps mounted in the hard ribber ear cup surrounds to mount the Type A-1 Sun Visor, which is included. I have occasionally run across the visors, and even more rarely found helmets modified to fit the visor, but this is a complete rig. The A-11 helmet is in excellent condition, though it would definitely benefit from a little leather dressing; interior is very clean, size is Large, snd it has correct ANB-H-1 receivers fitted, but lacks the wiring loom. The visor is in similar condition, Both show light use. 

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$325 / £268 / €295  email to secure this item