Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
LATEST ITEMS
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Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Type C flying helmet internally wired with scarce Type 2186 cord for US ANB-H-1 receivers. Size 4.
Excellent late war Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet,​ internally wired with a scarce Type 2186 cord – specially produced for attaching US ANB-H-1 receivers. Helmet is in superb condition and is a rare size 4 (extra-large: the largest size made). Leather is soft and pliable, chamois lining is clean. Complete with original WWII RAF issue sponge cushions. This is a late war pattern helmet with the extra leather tabs to the rear for securing the wiring (first used December 1944). Cord retains its paper nomenclature band and also its cloth instruction tag. Quite a rare variation, designed primarily for use with US aircraft such as the TBM and TBF Avenger.
$595 / £435 / €502
AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with press studs/snaps for A-10A,
A-14 oxygen mask.
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The version of the A-9 made from dark green cotton rather than OD. It was issued and is named on the chin strap (difficult to read) but evidently was not worn very much. It has the webbing strips with snaps/studs for attaching either the A-10A or A-14 oxygen mask but never had ear-cups for receivers sewn on. Excellent condition - marked as a size medium but actually fits the display head more like a large.
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$75 / £55 / €65
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Art Deco Stylish 1920s US commercial leather flying helmet with exaggerated "widow's peak" similar style to Lindbergh.
Interesting 1920s leather flying helmet with a blanket lining, roll up ear flaps and a wide chin strap reinforced with an additional leather strap and buckle. Helmet is distinguished by its pronounced "widow's peak" to the front (and at the nape) – reminiscent of the Art Deco style favoured by Charles Lindbegh and other aviators of the period. Very good used condition.
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$135 / £100 / €115
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Luftwaffe goggles case for Auer model 295 flying goggles with accessories.
An outstanding example of the luxurious aluminium case as issued with these iconic Luftwaffe aircrew flying goggles. The case has two plates riveted: one on the top with nomenclature and date of 1935; the other inside the lid with a list of contents. Included in the case are an extra strap for the goggles, one pair of unused tinted lenses in proteftive sleeve and the rare Auer lens stamped cleaning cloth. The goggles are getting hard enough to find in good condition, but the storage case is a rare accessory and makes a fabulous display on its own.
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$250 / £185 / €215
RAF oxygen tube adaptor for connectijng E, G mask to constant flow supply including walk-around bottle.
This is the shorter version of the RAF adaptor tube for the Type E, E* and G oxygen mask, which allows the breathing tube on the mask to be connected to a constant flow system fitted in some aircraft, or to the walk-around oxygen supply in heavy bombers. Comprises a 30" length of rubber tubing with the rare Mk IIIB bayonet connector at one end, and the mask tube/hose connector at the other end. The black rubber tube is still reasonably flexible but slightly stiff in a few places, with some evidence of surface cracking - however it displays well and with careful handling can be used for a display.
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$450 / £335 / €385
RAF other ranks embroidered VR tabs for the tropical uniform, matched pair.
A matched pair of VR embroidered insignia for other ranks, specifically for the tropical KD or bush jacket. Not a common badge at all and to find a nice matching pair is quite unusual.
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$25 / £18 / €22
WWII era plastic toy aircraft "America in the Air" on original card, including the rare Bell Aircuda!
Fantastic and rare wartime plastic toy aeroplanes, still on original card! "America in the Air" by Lido Toy Corp., New York City, Made in the USA. Incredible condition. Features four small plastic aircraft, each with a wingspan of 2.5" / 6.5cm. 2 four-engine bombers (B-17) in mottled blue/white and two unusual twin-engine bombers with pusher-type propellors (I believe these are the Bell Airacuda - a very rare and obscure type!) in blue plastic.
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$65 / £48 / €55
AAF Polaroid Variable Density goggles, with red screen and spares + instruction booklet.
Issued to both air gunners and ground gunners to track the trajectory of gunfire, these goggles also found a use by observers of bomb testing. This is an exceptionally nice and complete set, in unissued condition in their storage tin and still wrapped in tissue, with 2 extra red flip screens and the instruction booklet. Turning the knob on the front darkens the lenses, and the red screen provides further protection from bright light. An excellent set.
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$100 / £75 / €88
Extremely rare RAF receivers, Type C (10A/7063), for Type F wiring cord, D mask/B helmet.
Radio telephone receivers are difficult to source at the best of times, but the early RAF Type C (10A/7063) receivers are rarely offered in todays collector market. This is a great set, complete with the innards intact, including both sets of magnetic steel and acetate diaphrams Designed for the early Type F cord, they will also work with the Q cord and are most commonly associared with the Type D oxygen mask and Type B helmet. Well marked and a perfect matching pair.
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AAF T-30-S throat microphone with scarce "M" clip fitted.
Nice AAF T-30-S throat microphone, complete with the scarce "M" clip which held the contacts closer to the neck for clear transmission. Very slight fraying on the strap but it retains its elasticity overall very good condition.
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Fantastic early AAF B-3 Life Vest dated August 1941.
The best example of an early B-3 life vest I have seen in years - possibly ever! It appears unissued! Very clean all over with none of the usual stenciled ownership marks. Clear manufacturing details including a production date of August 5, 1941. Soft and supple, with no stiff areas, bright fabric and chrome plated metal fittings. The pictures speak for themselves - this would be very difficult to upgrade.
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RAF Beadon suit mosquito headnet.
Jungle green cotton netting hood with cotton crown, malleable wire frame to shape to the wearer's face and small opening at the mouth, drawstring to tie around the neck. Unissued condition. This was included in all jungle survival kits including the Beadon flying suit.
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Superb US Navy M-422A flying jacket, size 40.
Excellent example of this classic US Navy issue flying jacket in a decent (and very generous) size 40. The goatskin leather is in very good condition and the lining is clean and undamaged. The original waistband is free of any damage and the cuffs show only minimal wear at the edges. Collar is very good. The Talon zip is in perfect working order and the jacket also retains its Willis and Geiger label. Overall a very nice jacket, perfectly suitable for wearing or display, and getting harder to find.
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Excellent and rare log book to a Royal New Zealand Navy VR Fleet Air Arm Swordfish pilot (KIA).
Extremely rare Swordfish pilot's log book to a New Zealander in the RNZ Navy VR, Fleet Air Arm. Sub Lt Tait was one of the first 35 New Zealanders to join and volunteer for aircrew training under Scheme F. He was sent to England and, after training, served with 754 squadron on Lysanders before joining 816 squadron on mine-laying duties from Thorney Island. Sub Lt Tait and his crew sadly failed to return from a mine-laying operation on October 8, 1942. The Fleet Air Arm was a very small air force compared to the RAF, and New Zealand, being a small nation, had a very small Navy, making this an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a log book, with combat, from a member of a very small Commonwealth force. Included is a large photo of Tait with his crew and a bio of his interesting career. There is a newspaper article on his loss taped into the log book.
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