Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
LATEST ITEMS
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RARE and desirable Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired.
Developed towards the end of the war, the immersion suit was designed to protect pilots from the cold waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. It comprised a one-piece waterpoof rubberized overall with a flying helmet cemented (glued) to the collar, neck and shoulders. The helmet conformed to the same pattern as the internally wired Type C but constructed from white leather lined with grey suede. The suit was not popular, being hot and uncomfortable in normal use, so it did not entered wide scale production. The helmets, being expensive to produce, were salvaged for future issue by cutting them away from the suit. Some were neatly finished at the neck, most were left with a raw edge. This is a particularly nice example; the leather is clean and supple and the helmet retains its internal wiring cord, receivers and plugs. It has a raw edge where cut from the suit and shows use, but no damage or wear. One of the most striking and attractive of all British flying helmets and rarely found these days.
SOLD
 Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |  Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |
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 Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |  Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |
 Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |  Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |
 Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |  Fleet Air Arm Immersion suit helmet, fully wired |
Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern
Nice example of the RN FAA version of the Type C helmet, an early second pattern built for internal wring. Good soft leather and reasonably clean chamois lining with typical Navy style printed name inside A.O. SIGGS. Good, flexible rubber telephone receiver holders are loose inside the zipped housings, minus metal inlet tubes. Lovely crisp embossed crowned anchor property mark on left hand cheek. Overall a very nice displayable helmet.
$370 / £275 / €320
 Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |  Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |
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 Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |  Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |
 Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |  Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |
 Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |  Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |
 Fleet Air Arm Type C helmet, early second pattern |
Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone No. 2 Mk II in box.
Though the RAF never adopted throat microphones (laryngaphones) preferring a microphone mounted inside the oxygen mask or face mask, the RN FAA used Army issue throat microphones modified to plug into the flying helmet. This boxed example has been so modified and plugs directly into the jack mounted on the side of all wired flying helmets. Excellent condition; leather covered pick-ups with central metal hinge and elastic strap.
ON HOLD
 Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone |  Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone |
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 Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone |  Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone |
 Fleet Air Arm aircrew throat microphone |
RAF Mk VIII flying goggles.
Well used pair of classic Mk VIII flying goggles, first introduced in 1943 and continuing in service through the 1970s, though the styling changed along the way. This pair is probably late 1940s to early 1950s, having the high shoulders of the first issue and the separate pads joined by a short webbing tape. Flat edges to the frames. Decent appearance with no damage, oxidation to metal parts and loss of elasticity to strap. Good clear lenses.
$145/ £110 / €125
 RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |  RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |
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 RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |  RAF Mk VIII flying goggles |
RAF oxygen mask tube for the Type G or H mask.
Hard to find accessory to complete a mask display. Black rubber corrugated tube with plastic screw in connector for mask end and brass Mk IV bayonet connector with alligator clip for the regulator, with both ends bound tightly in linen thread. Rubber is good with no evidence of cracks within the folds/corrugations.
SOLD
 RAF oxygen mask tube for the Type G or H mask |  RAF oxygen mask tube for the Type G or H mask |
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 RAF oxygen mask tube for the Type G or H mask |  RAF oxygen mask tube for the Type G or H mask |
RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleuchte (signal light).
One of the true "Holy Grail" items for Luftwaffe collectors! I believe this perhaps the third example of one of these I have handled in 30 years - and in excellent condition. The small, salt water activated lamp was carried by Luftwaffe aircrew members for flying over water, usually attached to the life vest or in one of the poikets of the Channel trousers. Apart from some minor surface oxidation, this is in excellent condition. The base (battery housing) is enameled metal with printed instructions, the upper section is bakelilte plastic with a white plastic dome covering the bulb, secured by a black plastic screw-on ring. The clip is secured to a length of wire which was attached to the life vest allowing the light to float nearby. Just 5" (12cm) in height. An incredibly rare find.
SOLD
 RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleucht (signal light) |  RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleucht (signal light) |
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 RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleucht (signal light) |  RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleucht (signal light) |
 RARE Luftwaffe emergency rescue Seenotleucht (signal light) |
RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass.
Issued with the K-dinghy packs (which included a special pocket for them) to enable ditched airmen to navigate to the nearest land. Black bakelite hinged housing opens up to a good working compass and mirror. Well marked on the case with broad arrow and nomenclature. No chips or damage to bakelte case - a very good example.
SOLD
 RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |  RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |
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 RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |  RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |
 RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |  RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |
 RAF K dinghy pack Mk I Magnetic Marching Compass |
Superb RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case.
Lovely example of pre-war RAF precision instrumentation, and even more so, its lovely transit case. Used by fighter pilots and in single engine/single seat aircraft more than navigators, it could be carried the pocket of a Sidcot suit or uniform jacket easily. But what makes this is the superb wood transit case, its corners with superb dovetail joints, sliding lid and brass nomenclature plaque. A superb display item.
$165 / £125 / €145
 RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |  RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |
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 RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |  RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |
 RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |  RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |
 RAF issue Computor, Height & Speed, Mk I in fitted wooden case |
RAF aircraft inspection lamp Mk II
Stores ref. 5C/369 indicating use on board aircraft. Versatile lamp which could plug into the aircraft electrical supply for working in dark corners. It could hang either way up, having a hook at both ends, one hook incorporated a handle for winding and unwinding the electrical cable. Could be fitted with a red bulb for use at night or a white bulb for daytime use (no bulb present). 7" (17cm) high (not including chain and hooks). Overall very good condition, with some surface oxidation and loss of paint, but no dings or dents and well marked on the base with nomenclature and Air Ministry property mark. Cable and plug in good condition (lamp untested).
SOLD
 RAF aircraft inspection lamp MkII |  RAF aircraft inspection lamp MkII |
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 RAF aircraft inspection lamp MkII |  RAF aircraft inspection lamp MkII |
 RAF aircraft inspection lamp MkII |
RNZAF other ranks cap badge.
The rarest of the Commonwealth cap badges, simply because the RNZAF was a small air force by comparison to the others. The cipher comprises the letters R-N-Z-A-F inside the traditional wreath surmounted by a crown, all dye struck in brass. Lug back and cotter pin included.
$40 / £30 / €35
 RNZAF other ranks cap badge |  RNZAF other ranks cap badge |
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Museum quality reproduction Luftwaffe pilot's badge (C.E.Juncker pattern).
At first glance, this looks like a genuine Luftwaffe pilot's badge, patterned after the popular strike by C.E. Juncker of Berlin, but close inspection shows it to be what is commonly known as a "dipped wreath fake," so while it looks great for a display, it will not pass muster as a valuable collectible. That said, it looks great for display on a uniform and I am able to offer it at a fraction of egenuine examples cost these days.
$175 / £130 / €155
 Excellent reproduction Luftwaffe pilot's badge (C.E.Juncker pattern) |  Excellent reproduction Luftwaffe pilot's badge (C.E.Juncker pattern) |
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 Excellent reproduction Luftwaffe pilot's badge (C.E.Juncker pattern) |
RAF First Field Dressing, RARE Indian made variation.
The RAF First Field Dressing is an important accessory for any RAF display - one was carried by all airmen in the small pocket in the skirt of their service dress jackets. However this example id rather scarce, being made in India, so would be perfect for the tropical or KD uniform. Unopened and in great condition.
SOLD
 RAF First Field Dressing, RARE Indian made variation. |  RAF First Field Dressing, RARE Indian made variation. |
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