Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
LATEST ITEMS
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French aviator's Airaile Type 11 hard-shell helmet by Gueneau, 1939-40.
Like the proverbial London bus! These helmets don't come along very often, then two turn up within a couple of weeks!
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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$400 / £295 / €345
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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 |
Fabulous 1937 dated bespoke white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box.
The ultimate "Prestige Suit"! One of the most beautiful pieces of flying clothing I have ever seen! This exquisite white leather flying suit is superbly styled, well-tailored and in impeccable condition. It appears to be unworn or perhaps just tried on once or twice, and comes with its original cardboard storage box. The box was damaged and has been neatly repaired/restored so there is some brown tape at the corners and a couple of small cardboard inserts at the edge to maintain its integrity. The suit may well have been the property of a lady, since the name and address on the box label is Mrs Fyfe - but it could have been tailored for a man and is generous in size and length/height. The leather is superb quality, butter-soft and fully-lined with plaid blanket wool. It fastens with a zipped front concealed behind a diagonal buttoned flap which is secured at the shoulder with another, overlapping buttoned flap. It has a mandarin style stand-up collar which buckles at the neck. The wrists and ankles are tightened with straps and double ring friction buckles (the wrist buckles still wrapped in their original tissue). The waistbelt fastens with a single loop and back on itself. There are two zips on each side of the waist: one is a pocket and the other allows access to pocket on whatever is worn underneath the suit. All buttons are original and all zips are in good working order, though the trouser access zips have had the pullers removed (most likely on purpose, to stop them snagging). Best of all is the original box from what was, at the time, one of London's top department stores: Druce & Co. Ltd. of Baker Street. The label indicates the suit was for Mrs Fyfe, at an exclusive London address. An additional label on the side of the box reads "White leather flying suit." An absolutely fantastic, one-of-a-kind flying suit from the golden age of aviation and potential for research into the name (ATA, Ferry Command, female display pilot?).
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ON HOLD
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
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 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, privte purchase with original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |  Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
 Fabulous 1937 dated white leather flying suit, private purchase, complete with its original box. |
US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38.
Very good used example of the standard GI issue M1936 pistol belt. fitted with a leather holster for the .38 Smith and Wesson "Victory" revolver. The belt is grubby and stained but would clean up if desired. It is marked U.S. and has a name, "James M. Pulliam" inked on it. The holster is not marked that I can see, and is in very good condition with great age patina. One of many types often worn by AAF aviators on ops and makes a great display.
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$60 / £45 / €52
 US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |  US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |
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 US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |  US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |
 US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |  US M1936 pistol belt with leather holster for Smith and Wesson .38 |
RAAF service dress uniform sleeve eagle insignia, matching pair.
Excellent matching pair (left and right) of blackened brass RAAF sleeve eagles as worn on the dark blue service dress uniform, above the rank lace. Eagles faced rear, hence both face in opposite directions. Complete with backing plates and screw fixings. Lovely detail. 1.5" across (37mm).
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$50 / £37 / €45
 RAAF service dress uniform sleeve eagle insignia, matching pair. |  RAAF service dress uniform sleeve eagle insignia, matching pair. |
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 RAAF service dress uniform sleeve eagle insignia, matching pair. |
New Zealand forces cap badge, gilt on brass fern leaf.
Excellent wartime New Zealand side cap or beret badge featuring a fern leaf with the initials NZ. Gilt on brass with lug back. 1.75" across (44mm).
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$25 / £20 / €22
 New Zealand forces cap badge, gilt on brass fern leaf. |  New Zealand forces cap badge, gilt on brass fern leaf. |
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RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR.
The smaller of 2 variations of the heliograph (2-inch – the larger was 4-inch), issued with the K dinghy for single seat fighter aircraft. Though many pilots carried one in gthe pocket on the front of the life vest, it was intended for the Dinghy pack. Comprises a cotton pouch containing a polished steel "mirror" and sighting tool, with instructions printed on the back. Very good condition and includes cord for attaching to the K dinghy pack or the eyelet above the Mae West pocket.
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$60 / £45 / €52
 RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |  RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |
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 RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |  RAF small heliograph/signal mirror for ASR |
AAF and USN issue Emergency Signaling Mirror Type 1 (ESM-1) with paper envelope.
The first heliograph type signaling device issued to US aviators both AAF and USN. Although the Navy had experimented with an earlier circular model, and the AAF had used RAF issue heliographs initially, this was the first standardized issue pattern. In great condition, appears unissued with no wear or damage. It's braided lanyard still attached and packed in its original paper envelope.​
$45 / £35 / €40
 AAF and USN issue Emergency Signaling Mirror Type 1 (ESM-1) |  AAF and USN issue Emergency Signaling Mirror Type 1 (ESM-1) |
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 AAF and USN issue Emergency Signaling Mirror Type 1 (ESM-1) |  AAF and USN issue Emergency Signaling Mirror Type 1 (ESM-1) |
AAF / USN ESM-2 signal mirror specifically designed for the C-1 Sustenance Vest; unissued and in original envelope.
Excellent example of the ESM-2 signal mirror, carried by AAF and USN pilots and aircrews as a rescue/survival aid. The earlier ESM-1 was much larger and could not be accommodated in the pockets of the C-1 Sustenance Vest, so this smaller ESM-2 version was specially developed and sized to fit. Unused, unissued condition and still contained in its original manila envelope as supplied.
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$55/ £40 / €48
 AAF / USN ESM-2 signal mirror specfically designed for the C-1 Sustenance Vest |  AAF / USN ESM-2 signal mirror specfically designed for the C-1 Sustenance Vest |
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 AAF / USN ESM-2 signal mirror specfically designed for the C-1 Sustenance Vest |  AAF / USN ESM-2 signal mirror specfically designed for the C-1 Sustenance Vest |
South African newspaper December 1942, complete, mailed home to London - complete with its stamp.
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Fascinating incidental display item—and great reading—with a wealth of history! A 4-page newspaper from the township of Queenstown, South Africa, dated December 19, 1942, sent home to his mother in London by an airman serving in the RAF. He has highlighted the story of four of his colleagues killed in a plane crash at the local RAF station. Other stories include news on the war from Burma, Cairo and other hotbeds of fighting. The advertisements are also very interesting. As was the custom, the newspaper was folded up, addressed and stamped, then dropped in the mail. Incredible condition for all it's been through.
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ON HOLD
 South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |  South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |
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 South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |  South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |
 South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |  South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |
 South African newspaper wartime dated, posted home to UK |
RAF silhouette comparison poster Thunderbolt / Focke Wulf 190.
One of three similar posters offered. Scarce and unusual RAF silhouette comparison poster showing the difference, in outline, between the RAF Republic Thunderbolt fighter and the Luftwaffe Focke Wulf 190. 13" x 8" (33cm x 20cm). Has been folded and has pinholes in the corners, but overall very good condition. This would have been pinned up in ops rooms and crew ready rooms so fighter pilots and air gunners could readily identify the types. Great accessory for a crew room display.
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$45 / £35 / €40
 RAF Aircraft Recognition Poster: P-47 Thunderbolt vs Fw 190 |
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