Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
Radio / Communications Accessories
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RAF headphone receiver cord Type A in original storage box.
Stores ref. no. 10H/117 indicating aircraft cockpit radio equipment, this cord is for use with standard aircraft receivers as fitted into a headset or flying helmet, but without the lead going to a microphone: in other words for receiving only (such as with a Morse transmitter or perhaps Gee radar equipment). Perfect, unissued condition, in wax paper and repacked in a box dated 1951, still with original paper tag attached. Fitted with the single pin red plug marked with a nice engraved A-crown-M property mark and stores ref. number.
$55 / £45 / €52
Reproduction RAF Type 32 receivers for flying helmet (pair).
Resin cast copy of the Type 32 receivers which fit perfectly into any RAF flying helmet and can be wired to an original cord loom) by unscrewing the lower screw and looping the wires over the end before screwing it back in.
$45 / £35 / €42
US Signal Corps / AAF T-32 Candlestick microphone.
The iconic Kellogg T-32 "candlestick" microphone seen in almost every wartime photo or movie featuring the inside of AAF airfield control tower or operations room. Made from black enameled metal and bakelite, this is an absolutely pristine example which shows virtually no use, other than very slight wear on one side of the microphone housing from the inside of the box it was stored in. "Push to talk" switch on side has no wear! It has its original cord and plug, still tied with cotton tape and with its paper Kellogg label still in place. Nicely marked on the base in typical red paint to the US Signal Corps. The felt pad on the edge of the base is perfect. Perfect to complete any control tower display and very difficult to upgrade.
$135 / £110 / €122
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AAF adaptor type MC-385-A hi-lo impedance switch with headset extension cord.
Another seldom seen but nonetheless important accessory for the USAAF pilots and aircrews. This small plug adaptor converts high impedance to low impedance on the HS-33 and HS-38 headset (ANB-H-1 receivers). Used in aircraft fitted with high impedance radios (primarily British aircraft or US aircraft made for the RAF, which includes Mosquitoes, Spitfires etc. but also B-24, B-17, B-25, P-47 and P-51 which were made under Air Ministry contract). Includes an extension cord and plug, though the red PL-254 could also be plugged directly into the adaptor.
$65 / £52 / €60
RAF external wiring loom for Type B and early C, D, and E helmets / E or G mask.
Rare and difficult accessory to find these days: the Type 26 Microphone Assembly comprises a superb Type Q cord (external wiring loom) fitted with a Type 25 microphone and Type bell plug.This is the standard wiring loom for a first pattern Type C helmet but was also used in B helmets as well as first pattern D and E helmets and used in conjunction with the Types E, E* and G oxygen masks. Excellent condition, with no damage or wear, this complete assembly just needs receivers and it will be ready to complete an early WWII RAF pilot/aircrew ensemble.
$485 / £385 / €445
RAF wartime issue Type C headband.
Primarily intended for aircrew on long distance reconnaissance aircraft, flying boats etc. this ultra-comfortable headset accepted any of the standard wartime receivers (Types C, 16 and 32) and could be worn with an oxygen mask by using a simple harness. The position of the ear pads is fully adjustable. The basic design was such that it remained in use, in both RAF and commercial use, many years after the war. I recall wearing one when flying in the Air Cadets in the 1970s, and there are photos of the Beatles wearing the exact same design in recording studios. This example is in well used condition, however the rubber remains flexible. The chamois is grubby and there is a worn spot on one "donut" pad. Nice crisp A-crown-M on both sides indicating pre-1944 production.
$45 / £35 / €42
RAF Type 48 microphone assembly.
The Type 48 microphone assembly comprises a Type 25 microphone with the short cord that plugs into the internally wired C, D or E helmets. Whlist a bit dusty from storage, this example is in overall good condition. The rubber retaining ring has one split which does not seem to go all the way through and I am sure the microphone would clean up nicely.
$45 / £35 / €42
AAF SW-141 push-to-talk switch assembly.
Push-to-talk switch worn by pilots and aircrew to facilitate easier transmission while in combat and eliminate background chatter. When the switch was pressed, the wearer could transmit but no one else on the same channel could be heard. The switch could be locked into the on position during emergencies. Excellent condition, though lacking the neck strap (this was often removed and the switch affixed to the oxygen mask or flying jacket).
$85 / £65 / €75
British Army tank crew and RN Fleet Air Arm throat mic. No.2 Mk II
Contracted by the Army for use in armoured vehicles, the No. 2 Mk II throat microphone was also adopted by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm for use in low level aircraft such as the Swordfish. This example appears unissued and is still in its original box. Minor oxidation but no damage and cable is completely pliable. Wired for Army vehicle radio as manufactured - for FAA aircraft use, the single pin plug would have been replaced by a rigger with a 2-pin female aircraft radio jack. Note: the RAF did NOT issue or use throat microphones during WWII - only the Army and Fleet Air Arm. Unusual to find one in such good condition and boxed.
$95 / £70 / €80 email to secure this item
AAF ANB-H-1 telephone receivers for flying helmets.
A few loose (non-matching) ANB-H-1 receivers for flying helmets. used but very good condition. No two are a perfect match so they are sold individually (it is not uncommon to find helmets with mismatched receivers as they were often replaced in the field).
Price each.
$35 / £28 / €33
RAF Gosport receivers.
Black bakelite receivers which fit into the telephone holders on flying helmets (or inside the zip pockets on the Type B or RN FAA helmets) as part of the Gosport communication system. Air Ministry marked and with the RAF stores ref. number moulded into the plastic. In excellent used condition, no damage.
$55 / £48 / €55
RAF flying helmet aircraft plug adaptor/tester.
RAF aircraft plug adaptor/tester. For testing the communications system in a flying helmet. The bell-shaped plug goes into the large bakelite female socket and then the smaller male plug goes into a test unit to check the system.
$45 / £36 / €43
AAF (Signal Corps) radio headset adapter M-385-A (High-low Impedance switch).
While the RAF used a large lozenge shaped metal switch box in the middle of the wiring loom for high-low impedance, the USAAF version was a smaller, lighter plug-jack adapter. This example is unissued, still in its box, complete with instruction sheet. The first I have ever seen. Scarce accessory.
$25/ £24 / €20 email to secure this item