Flying helmet age help.

Helmet variants

Hi

There are four patterns of Fleet Air Arm helmet;the earliest ones were converted RAF C type helmet`s with B type helmet zip ear receiver housing`s sewn on(at the time the FAA didn`t have their own helmet`s).
The next one looked like the one pictured but had a leather chin strap and didn`t have the extra small straps on the back for the wiring loom(these are marked with a crown and anchor stamp on the chin area).
Both the first and second pattern had external wiring while the third and fourth patterns had internal wiring.
The third one looked exactly like the helmet pictured but without the two extra straps on the back of the helmet.This was the last war time pattern FAA helmet and lastly you have the one pictured which was post war.
All the helmets came with fitting`s for Gosport tubes except the first converted helmet`s.
Some third pattern one`s also come with a linen label attached with instructions on how to convert the wiring for American receiver`s for when the helmet was used in a lend lease aircraft.

The other type of FAA helmet are the D type cloth helmet for tropical use of which there are several patterns.

I hope this helps.

I really must get out more!
BS

I think we can still make out the ends of the earpieces for the gosport tubes, still zipped into the ear cups? I would have thought that alone suggests a non-fighter pilot’s helmet and together with the early goggles makes me think more war surplus purchases by a private pilot.

However, I’m no expert!

Also, for the benefit of us flying clothing non-experts, could bananas explain what makes this recognisable as a postwar pattern helmet, please? These things still turn up at ‘jumbles and I’d like to know a bit more about them. 🙂

Many thanks for the replies gentlemen. Once again I’m amazed at the knowledge to be found on this forum!

Flying Helmet

Hi

The flying helmet is a post war pattern Fleet Air Arm C type and the goggles are Battle of Britain period Mk 111a`s.
The helmet might fetch around £100 but the condition is poor which is against it.
The goggles date to the early war period(battle of France/Britain)but while more sought after again the condition is against them.
They are probably worth about £100 as they are repairable to someone with the know how.
There is no such thing as a fighter pilots helmet.They were issued to all branches,fighter,bomber,coastal etc although the helmet you have is specific to Fleet Air Arm.

Hope this helps.

BS
🙂

Covered C type helmet…goggles probably worth more……….