British flying helmet?

Wired examples start to appear about 1944 and as far as I know, the Type D didn’t last too long into the post war years while the Type E lasted well into the 1950s.

Anne

Brilliant, thank you anneorac!
Just one last question, what age roughly, Second World War or Post War?

Not a Type E and not quite a straight Type D but a Type D Wired (22C/969 for size 1 to 22C/972 for size 4, yours being a size 3 22C/971). Type E helmets were made from Aertex while the Type Ds were made from a cotton twill fabric. It wasn’t unusual for the neck flap to be removed so all you need now is a pair of rubber and chamois ear cups, common to most Type C, D & E helmets, and you have a complete helmet.

Not bad for a quid!

Anne

Thanks for the replies so far.
Andy, the neck flap looks as if it was cut away from the helmet at some point. Would it still be an E pattern?

NightReaper, I found a D type tropical issue helmet on ebay (for £175!), but there are subtle differences between that one and mine regarding the stitching pattern, especially around the ear area. The Oxygen mask hook is also of a different type too.

Carry on chaps, My £1.00 buy is cheering me up enormously!

I think it is a late pattern E Type helmet stores ref 22c/973 (up to 976 depending on size). The earlier E helmet had a leather chin strap. The D type had a rear neck flap.

I must get out more…….:eek:

D Type Flying Helmet

Looks like a late WW2 pattern RAF D Type minus the neck flap, ear cushions, receivers, cups and wiring. Used mainly in the 50s.

I’m no expert but looks like early post war to me, late ’40s early ’50s era, for wearing as is or under a bonedome. I’ve only ever seen RAF blue or Olive green, maybe tan was for the hotter climes?
Nice find at a nice price though – well done!