Virtual Museum - Flying Helmets, Head Gear and Oxygen Masks

Ref. No. 77. LEATHER FLYING HELMET. Circa 1920s. Brown. Flaps over ear holes. Peaked cap buttoned back, neck cover, buttons have "Perfectan Real Nappa" with "NZ" in centre although brass backs are made in England.
Ref. No. 127. LEATHER FLYING HELMET. Circa 1930s. Dark brown/black. Domed ear flaps and domed peak. Felt lined in light brown. Good condition.
Ref. No. 556. FLYING HELMET WITH GOSPORT SPEAKING TUBES PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY ERNIE CLARK, THE “FLYING FARMER”. Circa 1930. Kharki cotton cloth. White strap. No buckle. Some staining. Buckle at rear. Gosport speaking tubes very good condition - exit cloth ear pieces at rear (not down). Label inside reads “ D Lewis Ltd. Motor & Aviation Equipment 124 Great Portland St. Oxford St., W.I.” and “B.D.A. Rigmel Certified. Will Not Shrink” . Lewis Leathers is a company which started life as D Lewis Ltd in 1892. D Lewis began as a tailors shop and then branched into the manufacture of all types of protective clothing for aviators, motorists & motor cyclists, eventually concentrating solely on motor cycle clothing from the 1960's on. Written in ink is “L.E.Clark”. Clark flew from England to New Zealand in a Percival Gull in October and November 1936.  His flight was made one month after Jean Batten flew the same route, becoming the first person to fly direct between the two countries.
Ref. No. 137. LEATHER FLYING HELMET WITH GOSPORT TUBES. Circa 1937. Zip up rear. Chamois lined. Chromed earphones. Aluminium plug. Leather chin straps and rear straps for goggles. Helmet was worn by Ted Garrick who flew on Tomtits, Baffins and Vildebeestes prior to WWII and then in Tiger Moths, Oxfords, Ansons and Hudsons during the war.

Ref. No. 880. LUFTWAFFE FLYING HELMET.  Model LKp S100 (Fl31216).  This helmet is the summer equivalent of the LKp W100 and was made from the exact same pattern but constructed from light brown flecked fabric lined with green satin.  Together with the LKp W100, the LKp S100 was the standard flying helmet issued for crew positions requiring radio communication from 1936.  Even though an improved version of the helmet was issued in 1938, this pattern was used throughout the Battle of Britain.  The helmet features interior fleece around the black aluminium oval ear cups, and Siemens radio receivers.  It has hooks on each side and an adjustable ring on top for attaching a three-strap oxygen mask (model Hm5 or Hm15).  This example is missing the throat microphone, although the buckle for this remains on the right hand side.  There are two labels on the inside.  The main one reads “Siemens.  FL 31216. Baumuster LKp S100.” It is stamped in red ink with “BAL 722” and “25 Okt 1937”.  A smaller label reads: “Striegel & Wagner G.M.B.H. Lichtenfels/Bayer. Ostmark”, and has the word “Grosse:” with “58” stamped in red ink.  One interesting difference of this example compared to others shown in books is the electrical lead and plug.  Normally the lead was rubberised and single.  In this example the plug is male, and the single lead (thread covered) branches into two, both of which enter the leather covering at the rear of the helmet.  The plug is made of bakelight and features a single brass pin, which replaces the normal four-pin plug. 
Ref. No. 87. TYPE B LEATHER FLYING HELMET, 1942, " V498, Made in Australia, 1942, Size 7" printed on inside. Chamois inner, black leather, zips for gosport fittings, strap across forehead, straps for goggles, strap at rear plus chin strap, excellent condition.

Ref. No. 1089 TYPE "B" FLYING HELMET WITH GOSPORT SPEAKING TUBES. Pre WW2 or just post WW2 leather flying helmet for open cockpit flying. R.N.Z.A.F. issue. Size7 1/8-7 1/4. Has the tube style intercom fitted. Tubes can be removed and inside speakers can be removed by opening zip. Ear pieces have Air Ministry “AM” with crown and are made from bakelite with the Stores Reference Number of 6F/154. Has single 1.3mm vertical strap at the rear to hold goggle strap. Chamois type inner lining with padding surrounding each earpiece.  “W. Wilcox 4310510” has been hand written under left ear flap on inside. Chin Buckle is "D" shaped with clasp lock for use with a hole-less strap. The pilot was W Willcox 4340510 who underwent pilot training on 17 Apr 44, as a Corporal. He caused 'major overhaul' type damage to Tiger Moth NZ755 of 3EFTS at Harewood (Christchurch) when he stalled on landing whilst flying solo. He was uninjured.

Ref. No. 530. RNZAF TYPE B LEATHER FLYING HELMET. 1941. Zipped ears, two domes each side of face apperture for early style oxygen mask. Modifications include elastic back strap and holes in ear pieces. Ex-RNZAF. “LS 90 Antarctica”  written on front and “P.M.” on side. Label inside reads “RNZAF. Size 68. Issue 1940/1.”  Also written on label in handwriting is “NZ416553 12/41” which is probably the serivice number of the original owner. On bottom inside is also faintly written “RNZAF, 416553 12/41”  NZ416553 was service number for Francis Clarke Thomson.  In NZ128 Vildebeeste accident on 2/2/44 with I OTU drogue towing.  Taxiing in high wind without wingtip assistance.  Aircraft overturned at Ohakea.  Charge of carelessness written in logbook.  Also had accident in Hudson NZ2087 on 7/9/44 when aircraft burst a tyre on landing at Henderson Field Guadalcanal after a test flight.  Had over 1000 hours total time and 288 on Hudson.  Pilot was commended for skill in avoiding serious damage.
Ref. No. 116. TYPE C LEATHER FLYING HELMET. Circa 1940s. Air Ministry. Dark brown. Interior tag reads "Size 4. 7 and a half to 7 and three quarters. AM. 22C/452" . Earphones not fitted but have plugs with "10A/2266" on them. Straps for goggles and domes for oxygen mask. Used by Plt. Off. John S. Woodley who was in the Territorial Air Force (TAF) and flew Mustangs in 1953 - 1954 from Wigram.

Ref. No. 61.  TYPE C HELMET WITH MK IIIA GOGGLES AND OXYGEN MASK. Circa 1940. Helmet dark brown marked "AM Ref No 22c/879" Other markings not clear. Earphones sewn in and marked "AM" but other markings not clear. Oxygen mask green and marked "AM Medium" and "Detach tube here". Microphone on front of mask marked "Ref No 10A/12570" with on/off switch. Rubber seal around microphone marked "10A/12574". Microphone plug marked "10H/10991". Goggles are marked "AM GOGGLES MARK 111A. 22C/62 Inst. 33/013d." .
Ref. No. 200a. RNZAF PACIFIC FIGHTER PILOT FLYING HELMET. Circa 1940. Canvas. Khaki. Zipped ear covers. Inner ear covers are chamois. Inner label reads “RNZAF Size 6 7/8 7”  Written below this “F/O Moore”. “F/O Moore” also written under both ear covers on inside. Buckle missing from chin strap. There is a reference to F/O D.A. Moore in “Too Young to Die” who crashed Corsair NZ5547 on 20 July 1945 at Ardmore after running out of fuel. He landed short of 03 and was uninjured. Other Pacific pilots named F/O Moore include F/O Alexander Moore, who was lost Espiritu Santo after bailing out of Dauntless NZ5037 (which is displayed in RNZAF Museum). No “Moores” mentioned in By Such Deeds flew in the Pacific. There is a good chance the helmet was therefore owned by F/O D A Moore.  Further info – could be Donald Alexander Moore or Peter George Moore who was in a P-40 accident with 14 Squadron and killed in a Corsair 1945.

Ref. No. 1099. WWII JAPANESE FLYING HELMET WORN IN THE SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC. This item was souvenired by an American serviceman who served in the South-West Pacific. Note the Japanese star sewn onto the front of the helmet.

Ref. No. 326. FLYING HELMET AND MSA OXYGEN MASK. Air Ministry. Circa 1956. Blue cloth helmet marked “22C/1790 Size 2 41291/56.” Outside of helmet written “S/LDR POPEJOY”. Leather earphones marked “22C/1393/L 43732/56” and “22C/1394/RH 37720/55”. Electrical plug marked “10H/14206”. MSA oxygen mask marked “Pressure Breathing” and “Mask Oxygen” and “Size Medium”. Date mark shows 1956, 57, 58. Valve inside marked “R.A.Hawks Div. Sierra Eng. Co. Sierra Madre. Cal. Mfr. Part No. 156 M5509 1660-521-6022 MIL-V 25126A Mfd Dec. 57 Valve-Oxy. Mask Exhalation Press. Compensating.” Plug on end of hose marked “6D/2003 Connector Inlet (Warning) MC 3A/1”.

Ref. No. 945. RNZAF SKYHAWK MK.10B ALPHA FLYING HELMET AND P-TYPE OXYGEN MASK.  Helmet made by Alpha Helmets Ltd, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, England.  The Alpha Mk.10B superceded the Mk.10 Helmet and although the Kevlar helmet shell was the same, the adjustable leather lining was substituted with impact attenuating foam linings and a padded neck protector. These helmets are fitted with twin clear and tinted visor system which allows either visor to be operated and locked up or down independently, external EARS were fitted to eliminate the levers becoming obstructed. Avionics consist of twin 300ohm speakers giving an impedance of 150 ohm (1khz) terminating with a 18" downlead and single pin NATO jackplug. The design of the avionics allow easy fitting of alternative speakers which are compatible to civilian 600 ohm , USAF 9.5 ohm etc., mounting blocks allow the fitting of hooks for the P or Q type oxygen mask. These ultra lightweight Flying Helmets are " top of the range issue" for Royal Air Force aircrew  The P-Type mask has a data plate “MSA Britain Ltd Mask P6B 6D/3343707”. Interior valve has “Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland, Drg No. OP5480 6D/2298.” with Defence Broad Arrow.

Ref. No. 854. USAAF A-14 DEMAND OXYGEN MASK.  Stamped on mask is “Demand Oxygen Mask Type A-14 Medium” and “Bulbulion Ohio Chemical & Mfg. Co. Arctic Apr. For” and “Property Air Force U. S. Army Spec. No. 3163 2-45”.  This mask was standardised for the USAAF on 1 July 1943.  The A-14 was widely used in all theatres of operation and was produced in greater numbers than any other U S masks. 
Ref. No. 791.  TYPE H OXYGEN MASK.  Circa 1940s.  Medium size. Broad arrow. Name of P. R. Wellett written on inside. On microphone is written “5930-99-932-4160 Airmed”.
Ref. No. 119. THROAT MICROPHONE. Circa 1940's. In box. Includes two microphones, neck strap, cord and double pin plug (PL 291). Microphone rubber printed "T-30-V SHURE BROTHERS, CHICAGO, U.S.A. Cardborad box printed "U.S. Army Signal Corps. File No. 295-DAY-44. Item No.1. 1 Each Microphone T-30-V. Stock No. 2B1630V. Manufactured by Shure Brothers Chicago U.S.A." Box also includes plug sockets and Instruction Sheet which is a "Restricted" item. Previously owned by Plt. Off. John S. Woodley, who was in the Territorial Air Force (TAF) and flew Mustangs in 1953 - 1954 from Wigram.

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