Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
RECENT SALES
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RARE RAF Pilot's Notes for the De Havilland Hornet fighter.
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The De Havilland Hornet was the direct descendant of the famed "Wooden wonder" Mosquito, and though it was designed in WWII and first flew in July 1944, it not enter service until 1946. It had a successful service life with the RAF and Fleet Air Arm (as the Sea Hornet). RAF Pilot's Notes are rare and highly sought after. This manual is early post-war, dated December 1947 and includes the usual array of information and diagrams, including photos of the cockpit layout and controls. Overall very good condition with some wear to cover. A very rare AP notes/booklet.
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 RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |  RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |
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 RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |  RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |
 RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |  RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |
 RAF Pilots Notes for the De Havilland Hornet |
Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 1914-1918.
Very good, used (but undamaged) soft leathet, blanket lined flying helmet or cap as worn by the majority of pilots and aircrews of the Imperial German Air Service in WWI. Such notables as Von Richtofen and Balke are often pictured wearing this exact pattern. Black leather with a tan blanket lining and featuring a neck cape which tucked into the flying coat. The strap at the top of the crown was often used to tie a scarf or ribbon for identification while flying in combat.
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 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |  Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
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 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flyoing helmet of the Imperial german Air Service, 1 |  Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |  Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |  Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |  Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
 Lovely example of a standard issue soft leather flying helmet of the Imperial German Air Service, 19 |
Rare WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/
motoring/flying helmet together with goggles.
Officers of the French Army Aviation Escadrilles, much like the Royal Flying Corps, were required to supply their own equipment in the early days of the war. Since flying essentially required the same type of protection as motoring and motorcycling, manufacturers and retail outlets were quick to rebrand motoring helmets and goggles for this new generation of flyers. This is a classic example, probably dating from 1914-15 comprising. a black leather covered helmet with a protective hard shell interior, soft padded cheeks, a fsoft peak and flaps over the ears which could be rolled up for wind deflection and communication. The shell is actually broken into two pieces, front and back. but is held tightly together by the leather covering. It shows wear and use but displays perfectly and is complelemented by the accompanying folding goggles with angled glass lenses for excellent peripheral vision. Gpggles have a waterproof, oiled cloth mask and steel frames. Scarce helmet.
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 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
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 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
 WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |  WWI era French hard shell motorcycle/motoring/flying helmet with goggles |
Late WWII US Navy issue "All Rubber Mask - Double Aperture Aviation Goggles" by Willson, with box.
This was the US Navy answer to the AAF B-8 goggles, supplied by their favourite contractor, Willson optical. In the end, they proved to be less popular than the B-8, which the USN eventually adopted instead. These are quite scarce by comparison and actually well made - they just don't offer the same field of vision as the B-8. Unissued condition, perfect soft and pliable rubber with chamois backing and green plastic one-piece lens.
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 WWII US Navy issue "All Rubber Mask - Double Aperture Aviation Goggles" by Willson, with box |  WWII US Navy issue "All Rubber Mask - Double Aperture Aviation Goggles" by Willson, with box |
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 WWII US Navy issue "All Rubber Mask - Double Aperture Aviation Goggles" by Willson, with box |  WWII US Navy issue "All Rubber Mask - Double Aperture Aviation Goggles" by Willson, with box |
AAF/USN B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses.
Excellent, unissued pair of Polaroid 1065 Aviation Goggles (alter designated as B-8) in their original leatherette case with instruction booklet and complete set of extra lenses (amber, green and clear). While the case shows some external wear, the rubber goggle frame is soft and pliable, lenses are excellent and strap retains elasticity.
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 AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |  AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |
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 AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |  AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |
 AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |  AAF B-8 (Polaroid Aviation Goggle No.1065) rubber frame flying goggles with box and extra lenses. |
WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles by CIGLUS.
Very good pair of early Italian made flying goggles, as used by Italian aviators in WWI, but also very likely worn by French and German pilots as well. The style remained popular throughout the war and into the 1920s, and was copied by manufacturers all over the world. This pair is in very good condition, with plated alloy frames, pneumatic, orange rubber cushions which remain soft and pliable, celluloid lenses and a good elastic strap. The lenses are very slightly warped but undamaged. Well marked on the frames: CIGLUS Déposé and Made in Italy.
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 WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles |  WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles |
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 WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles |  WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles |
 WWI-1920s Italian flying goggles |
Aviator's cold weather face mask 1920s-30s.
Very well made cold weather face mask which was intended for wear under a flying helmet and goggles, and may have been used in conjunction with a pipe-stem oxygen breathing tube. It most likely dates from the 1920s or early 1930s – and I believe this type might have had military applications but that the AAF stamp is a later addition and erroneous. However, it is a nice example in excellent condition and will display well with either commercial or military issue headgear to represent the "Golden Age" of flying.
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SOLD
 Aviator's cold weather face mask 1920s-30s. |  Aviator's cold weather face mask 1920s-30s. |
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 Aviator's cold weather face mask 1920s-30s. |  Aviator's cold weather face mask 1920s-30s. |
RARE WWII USSR fur-lined winter flying boots.
Russian flying kit from WWII is extremely difficult to source, and this is a superb pair of fur-lined winter flying boots for a Russian aviator. Just over the knee, these are reminiscent of RFC fug boots, but made from heavy black fleece with a soft white fur/fleece lining. The shoe section is black leather and the soles are made from thick pressed wool felt. Straps around the foot and calf help keep the boots on in the event of jumping out of the aircraft, and long webbing ties on each boot presumably secure them to the flying suit or trousers. There are a couple of numbers hand-inked on the webbing tapes as shown in the pictures. A very rare pair of flying boots in excellent condition.
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 RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |  RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |
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 RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |  RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |
 RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |  RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |
 RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |  RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |
 RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |  RARE WWII USSR winter flying boots |
AAF (US Air Corps) B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction.
Literally brand new reproduction pair of hard to find B-7 flying goggles issued from mid-1930s until 1943. Brand new steel frames, new rubber cushions (2-piece), acryllic lenses and white elastic strap. Perfect for re-enacting or to fill a hole until an original pair comes along.
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 AAF B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction |  AAF B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction |
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 AAF B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction |  AAF B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction |
 AAF B-7 goggles - an excellent reproduction |