Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
SALES November 2023
(click on pictures to enlarge)
RAF AP1480A - British Aircraft Recognition Handbook.
Publication date September 1941. This manual displays photographs and silhouettes from multiple angles of all aircraft in RAF service at the time (which includes many American types as well). Very good condition, with minor staining to cover. Tabs indicate 4 sections: single engine types; twin engine types, three engine and four engine - but the 3-engine section is empty (none in service at that time). Also includes an untabbed section at the back with gliders - and curiously the FW200 Condor is included in the 4-engine section! . All pilots and aircrews were expected to study and memorize this information!
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Named AAF sunglasses in leatherette case.
Excellent pair of dark green tinted sunglasses in nickel plated frames with comfort cables and mother-of-pearl brow bar and nose supports. Come in their original leatherette case which has the AAF emblem crisply embossed in gold to the front. Named inside to L.L. Mendenhall of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Case has crease to flap but is holding together - overall great condition. The style predates the later, more common "aviator" shape and is often seen in period photographs.
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WWII RCAF canvas and leather shoes by Gutta Percha & Rubber Company dated 1942.
Superb and unissued pair of RCAF issue canvas and leather dress shoes made by Gutta Percha company and dated 1942. Standard Oxford type shoes with blue grey canvas uppers and leather toecaps, leather soles. Size 10.5 with crisp Broad Arrow "C" stamp on sole and Gutta Percha inside with clear 1942 date. Unworn with only light storage marks, these would be difficult to upgrade.
$120 / £99 / €115
Excellent AAF AN6530 flying goggles.
Once common, these are getting harder to find in this kind of condition. A really excellent pair of late war AN6530 goggles. The frame, with streamlined vents, still has a beautiful frosted finish and no wear, dings or dents. Nice clear maker markings to lower left side indicating Chas Fischer Spring production. The one-piece cushion is an original wartime manufacture and in excellent condition showing no wear. White strap still has elasticity and exhibits a few minor stains from storage. Clear glass lenses complete this really superb set.
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Luftwaffe aircrew concealable evasion compass.
There is little information about Luftwaffe escape and evasion plans or equipment, primarily because once captured, they would be interred in Great Britain, Canada or the USA where escape and return to the homeland was more or less impossible. Thus survival was the major concern, and Luftwaffe pilots and aircrews were issued with an excellent armband compass which did not require concealment. However, later in the war when much of the aerial fighting took place over occupied Europe, it is believed that many may have carried some evasion items. This is an example of a small German made compass (note: "O" for the German "Ost" rather than "E" for "East"). Unfortunately the glass is cracked on both sides but a watchmaker could repair it easily. White metal frame is 3/4" diameter by 3/16" deep (20mm x 5mm). Some wear to markings but overall decent condition.
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Reunion patch for the AAF 4th Fighter Group.
Lovely embroidered-on-felt jacket patch for the AAF 4th Fighter Group, based on the design of the Eagle Squadron emblem from which so many members joined after the United States entered the war. This is a reunion patch (c.1990s) and extremely well made, full size (5" diameter). A fraction of the cost of an original and will look great on a replica A-2 jacket!
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RAF / SOE / MI9 miniature escape compass – this is the super-rare tiny type that could be hidden inside a rolled cigarette or pipe stem.
One of the rarest of the concealable escape compasses, this is the smallest compass deveoped by MI9 at 0.25" (6mm) diameter by 3/16" (4mm) high. It comprises a brass "tub" with a floating compass rose inside and an acetate cover. The acetate shows a little edge wear and discolouration, but the compass still works perfectly. This tiny compass could be easily hidden inside a cigarette or a pipe stem among other places. Only the second I have seen in 30 years!
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AAF aircraft mounted oxygen mask storage bag.
Scarce oxygen mask accessory. OD green canvas storage/stowage bag which was for storing the oxygen mask in flight when not needed (below 10,000 ft.). It snapped into place on the aircraft frame or bulkhead nearest to each crew position, and snapped shut to protect the mask from damage - two "Lift-the-dot" snaps are fitted. Well marked with a 43 date code, it was designed to hold the A-8, A-9 and A-10 oxygen masks. Minor staining from storage but no damage. Excellent condition.
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WWII RAF officer's service dress peaked cap.
Superb example of the RAF officer's peaked (or visor) cap in a decent size (I'm guessing about a 7-1/4 or so). Lovely condition with no wear or damage, excellent heavily padded bullion badge, patent leather chin strap, circular pattern quilted lining and tailor's label to Bailey Weatherill of Regent Street. There is a name written on the label, but it is difficult to read - it also has pencil writing inside the Real Roan Leather sweatband which says "7 W Violet". Hat is fitted with a celluloid sweat shield tp protect the lining which has kept it in excellent condition. Lovely shape and hard to find better.
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NASA Astronaut "civilian" lapel pin in sterling silver.
One of the rarest and most proudly worn badges of the modern era, the Astronaut pin was introduced in 1963 and features a shooting star in a ring. It is a tiny lapel pin, measuring no more than 0.25" across, with a sterling clutch back. On their military uniforms they wore a standard pilot wing with this emblem in the centre, but this was for civilian wear – and was ony permitted to be worn by qualified astronauts. To earn this badge, astronaut candidates had to complete their basic training including flights into the stratosphere. Once they completed an actual space mission, they were given the same badge in gold. A rare badge.
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RAF early wartime type signal mirror in bakelite.
Extremely rare early signalling device carried by RAF fighter pilots, often attached to their life vest, predating the smaller heliograph by more than a year. The device comprises an actual glass mirror with silvered backing, housed in a plastic (bakelite) frame with a leather strap and buckle for attachng the the flying suit, mae west or around the hand when in use. Lovely A-crown-M marking on the back of the plastic, together with the stores ref. number 6E/271. One very small chip on the back of the glass at the edge, barely visible. One of the rarest and earliest items of survival equipment carried by RAF aviators.
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RAF Beadon Suit / survival pack aluminium container of waterproof matches.
Rare find! This aluminium double-walled screw-top conainer comprises an outer vessel with a striking surface and an inner vessel holding waterproof matches. Full contents are present and all is in amazingly good condition. The outer container printed label is also intact and features the A-crown-M mark indicating production / issue of 1944 or earlier, so a definite wartime example.
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RAF Type C helmet, earliest pattern in largest size 4, near perfect condition.
One of the nicest examples of the early Type C flying helmet I have ever seen, and one of the rarest versions. An early first pattern, with "up-and-down-fore-and-aft" goggle strap tabs and just 2 stud/snap fasteners each side for the first model Type E oxygen mask. It also has the zig-zag stitching to hold the "donuts" in place, a modification developed and patented by H. Wald & Co. of "Waldybags" fame, and one of the few known contractors for Type C helmets. It is therefore likely this helmet was made by H. Wald & Co. The leather is superb, the chamois lining is clean and almost perfect except for a very small hole near the nape – this looks like it may have been a flaw in the chamois rather than from use, and may explain why the helmet appears to have never been issued. It has a crisp A-crown-M emboss on the left hand lower side, together with its stores ref. number 22C/452 indicating a size 4, extra-large, the largest size made. Helmet retains its leather covered Bennett buckle and metal V-tip on the chin strap. The rubber ear-cups are fully pliable and are both marked with faint acceptance stamps. No apologies for the price on this helmet which is firm and in keeping with its extreme rarity and condition, as well as its desirable extra large size and likely manufacture history. Considerably more scarce than a Type B helmet and finding another comparable will be very difficult if not impossible.
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Extremely rare RAF Type Q cord (external wiring loom for early RAF flying helmets), unissued and still in wax paper wrapping.
Almost impossible to find on the loose these days, an unissued Type Q cord, otherwise referred to as an external wiring loom for use with the Type B and early (unwired) Type C, D and E flying helmets. This example is in mint, perfect condition having never been out of its wax paper wrapping until I opened it to photograph. Cord only – no receivers or plug.
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Pocket size book on wartime RAF flying kit. "What the RAF Airman Took to War" by Bill Howard.
Small, pocket sized hardback book by Shire Publications, 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm) and 120 pages, with a short history of RAF kit and colour photographs with descriptions. Useful for a novice collector and a great size for carrying to shows, militaria fairs. Name written in front, but as new condition.
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RAF Mk IVB Flying Goggles in exceptional condition complete with flip-up sun screen.
Far and away the best looking set of Mk IVB goggles I have seen in a very long time. These goggles have clearly never been issued or worn. The brown lacquered brass frames are perfect, as are the large loops, leather strap and sprung fabric connectors - but what is really amazing is that the sponge rubber pads are in perfect condition, still soft and spongy with no signs of deterioration, this is very unusual. The lenses are clear with no evidence of delamination, and the goggles are fitted with their correct flip-up sun screen which has minor surface scratches but is not badly warped as so many are. Nice crisp A-crown-M markings on the leather strap. Mk IVB goggles were introduced in June 1940, at the same time as the IV and IVA, but proved the best of the bunch and remained in production for longer. An exceptional pair of goggles which would be difficult to upgrade.
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1936 date issue case for Luftwaffe Model 295 Flying Goggles by Auer.
Very scarce accessory: the aluminium case in which the earliest model 295 flying goggles (or Windschutzbrille) were issued to Luftwaffe pilots and crews. The case has a hinged lid with a nomenclature plate riveted to the top. Inside, there is a small, built-in oval case with a detachable lid which contained spare lenses. Inside the lid is another riveted plate with a list of contents, which included a spare strap and also a chin strap which fastened onto built in hooks on each side of the goggle frame and secured the goggles in place in open cockpit or turret aircraft. A few dings but excellent condition overall.
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US Army Air Corps Type A-10 Standard Oxygen mask.
One of the hardest to find US Army Air Corps oxygen masks, the A-10 Standard followed in the footsteps of the A-9, differing only in having a moulded extension of the rubber from the nose up the forehead with an additional short strap for fastening to the top/front of the helmet. It was difficult to attach and remove, especially during flight, and this model was withdrawn and modified by attaching straps with snap fasteners at each side and cutting the top strap off. These were then reissued as "A-10 Standard Modified" and finally, from new moulds, as the "A-10 Standard Revised." Unmodified examples in their original form are therefore quite rare. This example is in excellent used condition. The rubber is totally pliable with no hardening and no damage. The nosewire is still fitted and intact. All straps are present (the top "nose" strap is so often absent). There is a very small puncture in the rubber near the top right facial edge, but this is hardly noticeable. Hose is perfect. Clear moulded markings to front and a date of 4-42.
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WWII Easco clip-on life jacket light with red lens, issued to all Royal Navy personnel including Fleet Air Arm aircrews.
Waterproof Easco battery-operated light for attaching to a life vest. These were never issued to RAF crews - the Air Ministry issued only the more robust floating light with a battery compartment that held two batteries and a white light which was shown to be brighter; the Royal Navy however, issued these Easco clip-on red lights to all personnel on board ship, for use at night and in the event of being lost overboard. This included Fleet Air Arm crews who had more faith in them because of the red light, which the RN believed showed up better at night against the phosphorescent whitecaps. There are numerous photographs of FAA crews wearing these lights. This example is in excellent condition.
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RAF goolie/blood chit for flights over USSR.
Scarce "goolie" or blood chit issued to RAF aircrews flying over Russia in case they were shot down and needed help from Russian civilans on the ground. Silk chit is still folded and in its original acetate sleeve complete with a cotton lanyard for wearing around the neck. Displays the Union Flag and a message in Russian promising a reward for the safe conduct of the airman. Perfect condition, impossible to upgrade.
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WWII RAF Type C headband, headset for aircrew.
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.
Its 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 excellent condition, the rubber totally flexible and the chamois exceptionally clean. Just pop in any RAF wiring loom and add to a display.
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RAF sea boot socks in unissued condition.
Superb matched pair of RAF issue "Sea Boot Socks" as worn by fighter pilots and bomber crews for extra warmth at altitude. These appear to have never been issued and are marked size 3 at the toe end of both socks (not sure what that equates to but they are quite large). Long, over the knee style in heavy cream coloured wool, these were extremely popular and because of their practical value were kept and worn long after the war. A hard-to-find accessory.
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RAF 1943 Pattern "escape" boots in very good used condition.
Lovely pair of RAF 1943 Pattern "escape" boots, showing light use but no wear or damage, original soles and heels and original laces - which is unusual. Good thick sheepskin lining, good working Lightning zips with broad arrow mark. No markings or indication of size but I would guess approx. UK size 9. Leather shoe section and suede uppers all in very good condition. Nice to find a pair that haven't been resoled or heeled and still have original laces.
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RAF Type D oxygen mask with Type 18/19 microphone - replica by Sefton Clothing.
Absolutely superb reproduction RAF Type D oxygen mask fitted with a replica Type 18 microphone manufactured by Sefton Clothing Co. These are no longer made and are now collectible in their own right. Condition is like new - has never been worn or wired up (a standard RAF wiring loom can easily be attached). Mask body is made from green wool barathea, lined with chamois, with internal stiffening and maleable nosewire, plus black lacquered mounting ring and inlet port. The mask is complete with perfect replica microphone. Inside the chamois microphone housing is the guts of a genuine wartime RAF microphone (Type 25). The switch assembly is made from plastic and Paxolin, exactly as originals were. In keeping with Air Ministry orders during the Battle of Britain, the serrated switch has been omitted. An excellent alternative at considerably less than one-tenth of the price of the real thing (if you can even find one!).
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Superb AAF Type A-10 Revised Oxygen Mask.
Now becoming quite a scarce item to find - especially in such great condition! This A-10R (Revised) oxygen mask is quite remarkable. It appears to have never been issued or worn, though it has an additional date stamp of March 5, 1943 on one side. Production date of 1942. Rubber is supple and clean, nosewire and its lugs are perfect; straps are strong with light rust stains from the steel fittings. Correct hook is attached on right hand side and also the rare attachment for snapping the left hand side of the mask onto the helmet is included. Hose has no wear or cracking. Overall an impeccable example that would be difficult to upgrade.
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US Navy extension cord for aviator's radio headset.
Braided fabric cord, approximately 3' long (1m) with rubber connector for the single pin plug from the radio headset fitted in a flying helmet. NAF marked plug at the other end. Perfect, unissued condition. This also attaches to the rubberized extension cord for the short rubberized wiring loom found with TH-37 receivers in early USN flying helmets.
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RAF/RAAF Mosquito net as carried in the Tropical Survival Kit and Beadon Suit.
Mosquito net in green cotton mesh with cotton at the top. These were standard issue in RAF and RAAF survival kits in tropical and jungle regions where mosquitoes were rampant and carried malaria, among other unpleasant diseases. This example is marked made in Australia (as many of them were) and has a V-number for RAAF stores. It is dated 1943. An important component of the Tropical Survival Packs and the Beadon Suit.
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RAF Type C flying helmet, first pattern, unwired, with label.
RAF Type C helmet, fist pattern, designed for external wiring and fitted with a leather chin strap and Bennetts buckle, with fore-and-aft goggles strap tabs. This is made in India under contract to the Air Ministry by Phelps & Co. and has a small cotton label inside the crown. Leather is in great condition, chamois lining is clean and helmet appears to be unissued. Rubber ear cups are pliable. Inside the forehead and the chin flap are lined with green velvet. The only issue this helmet has is that the top centre seam running from front to back has split for 2" / 5cm but this could be repaired with care. Curiously, the two front goggle strap tabs are bright red on the back! Overall a nice helmet that would be great with a little work.
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RARE WWI - 1920s US Navy officer's side cap badge with right-facing eagle.
Very rare pre-WWII US Navy officer's side cap badge with right facing eagle. The eagle on the cap badge was changed to left facing (as viewed) in 1941 and has remained that way ever since.
SOLD