Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
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(click on pictures to enlarge)
EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bail-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945.
One of the rarest and most difficult to find accessories for completing a late war RAF fighter pilot flying equipment display, this is the only example of one of these I have ever seen. In correct RAF stores ref. parlance, this is the "Dry Breathing Assembly, Emergency, Mk I" for high altitude bail-out, Stores ref. 6D/541. Introduced late in the war for use in high-altitude, high-performance fighters, it fit into the long narrow pocket on the outside of the Type A Mk III K-dinghy pack (see last photos). It comprises the oxygen tank/bottle and valve assembly, D-ring for activation, and long narrow rubber tube which connects to the small outlet pipe on the special oxygen tube/hose for the G or H mask. All in superb condition and dated September 1945. Well marked and tagged with a later inspection/calibration card. An incredibly rare item. G mask, tube and dinghy pack are shown only for context and not included. Rarity of this item simply cannot be overstated. NOTE: Shipping within US only.
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 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
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 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
 EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |  EXTREMELY RARE RAF Emergency bale-out oxygen supply Mk I, complete, dated 1945 |
Scarce oiled cotton kapok pads from early issue 1941 Pattern Life Saving Waistcoat (Mae West).
Lovely matching set of kapok pads or cushions from the 1941 Pattern "Mae West" made from oiled cotton and stuffed with natural teased kapok. Oiled cotton was only used for a short time for these cushions, because it was discovered that the teased kapok alone provided sufficient buoyancy and did not need to be waterproofed. Later cushions used unbleached, untreated cotton. This is a closely matched set and Air Ministry property markings can be clearly seen on two of the three cushions, the third perhaps somewhat faded. Some dried oil or tar stains suggesting these may have seen active use. These early examples are quite difficult to find.
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 Scarce oiled cotton kapok pads from early issue 1941 Pattern Life Saving Waistcoat (Mae West) |  Scarce oiled cotton kapok pads from early issue 1941 Pattern Life Saving Waistcoat (Mae West) |
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 Scarce oiled cotton kapok pads from early issue 1941 Pattern Life Saving Waistcoat (Mae West) |  Scarce oiled cotton kapok pads from early issue 1941 Pattern Life Saving Waistcoat (Mae West) |
RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named to Polish airman; name painted across front.
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A lovely, historic Internally-wired Type C from the earliest production batch, the cord fully internally mounted to the helmet, sometimes called a "3-strap back." Helmet is in excellent, used condition with no damage or undue wear. Leather very, good, chamois lining a bit grubby, very faint but visible Air Ministry mark and stores ref. number embossed on left hand side (adjacent to plug jack). Best of all, the helmet as the name "Stanislaus" painted across the brow, and the initials "S.P." inked inside; a Polish name (Stanislaus is the anglicized/Latin for Stanislaw); this could possibly be researched and ID'd. I would guess it's a size 2 (medium) and displays well. Note: shown with 1945 dated H masked fitted with bail-out oxygen tube. Mask is offered separately.
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 RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |  RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |
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 RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |  RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |
 RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |  RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |
 RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |  RAF Type C Flying Helmet, first internally-wired model, early production, complete and named / ID'd. |
 DSCN3244 |
Scarce Battle of Britain issue RAF Mk IV flying goggles.
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Not to be confused with the far more common Mk IVB goggles – these are far more scarce – although the Mk IV, IVA and IVB were all introduced at the same time (in June 1940). These Mk IV goggles are in very good condition; the sponge rubber pads on the back are, as usual, dried and crumbling, but mostly intact (see pictures). The brass frames are excellent, as are the lenses and leather strap. Cloth covered springs are stretched out but functioning just fine. Lenses are in 4 separated parts and secured in hinged frames which open for cleaning or replacement - these show only very slight evidence of delamination. Leather strap is embossed with crisp Air Ministry property mark and stores ref. number as well as Lever Optical Co. Retain 90% of black painted finish. These are getting extremely difficult to source.
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 Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |  Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |
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 Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |  Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |
 Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |  Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |
 Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |  Scarce RAF Mk IV flying goggles |
RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated.
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Very good, used example of the scarce wartime production Type H oxygen mask, fitted with its original tube/hose including the rare bail-out attachment. Rubber is in excellent condition and beautifully age toned to dark green. Suede lining is slightly grubby from use but no wear or damage. Hose is also excellent. It is very rare to find complete examples of these early masks which were produced in small numbers. Mask is clearly marked 3-45 which some interpret as March 1945; there id another school of thought that suggests 3rd quarter, 1945 but no evidence to support either theory. The key fact is the 1945 date. it is shown with a nice Type C helmet, available separately. Price includes mask and tube with bail-out attachment.
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 RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |  RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |
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 RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |  RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |
 RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |  RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |
 RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |  RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |
 RAF Type H oxygen mask and hose fitted with rare high-altitude bail-out tube, 1945 dated |
RAF Gosport communication receivers with tubes.
Quite a good complete set of RAF Gosport tubes withAir Ministry marked receivers, ready to install in a helmet (1930 Pattern, Type B or Type C will all work). The only issue is the fabric covering on one end has separated and frayed about 3-inches from one end of the flexible metal tube. This does not affect the function, and could easily be tidied up for display, if desired. Otherwise very good condition with none of the usual crushing or "seizing up" of the tubing.
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 RAF Gosport communication receivers with tubes |  RAF Gosport communication receivers with tubes |
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 RAF Gosport communication receivers with tubes |
RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring) for the Type D oxygen mask.
Chamois covered, bell-shape carbon microphone (Type C) mated with a Type Q cord and plug - ready to mount onto a Type D mask. This was the earliest of 3 different types of microphone designed for the Type D mask and was in use from 1935 until 1941, notably during the Battle of France and the beginning of the Battle of Britain. Now a very scarce item and this example in very good condition, retaining its chamois covering, though slightly grubby and showing a little wear at the edges. Top mounted operating switch works perfectly. The cord is in good shape, with some melted rubber residue present in places (might clean up with care, but looks fine as is). The original standard bell plug has its rim filed down for some reason but still looks fine. Would fit perfectly with the above listed D mask (I hasten to point out these did NOT come together or I would not have split them - both are from different sources). A very good example​
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 RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |  RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |
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 RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |  RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |
 RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |  RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |
 RAF Type E microphone assembly (Type C carbon microphone plus wiring loom) for the Type D oxygen mas |
RAF Air Ministry issue coathanger, dated 1938.
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Only ever seen one of these previously, and for a uniform collector or just as a display item, they are quite brilliant. Well made and sturdy all wood coat or uniform hanger (it has the crossbar for trousers) superbly marked with the A-crown-M and contract number as well as stores reference information. Another one of those rare and unusual accessories.
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 RAF wartime coathanger - RARE |  RAF wartime coathanger - RARE |
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RAF Bartholomew silk escape map, 2-sided, of North Africa, K1 and K2 (Cyrenaica/Crete) and Libya/Egypt.
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One of the earlier silk escape/evasion maps printed on silk using the old Batholomew series of maps, which were highly detailed and with varying scales. Dates to 1941 or early 1942 and would have been issued in a waterproof purse. Two-sided, featuring North Africa, Greece and Cyrpus. This would have been carried by RAF arcrews involved over the desert regions during the battle for Tobruk and others. Excellent condition, folded but no damage or stains.
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 RAF Batholomew escape map K1 and K2 (Cyrenaica/Crete) and Libya/Egypt. |  DSCN8666 |
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 DSCN8665b |  DSCN8664a |