Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Helmets and Headgear
(click on pictures to enlarge)
USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition.
The standard issue intermediate flying helmet for the US Navy and Marine Corps from the late 1930s until 1943, made from high quality goatskin leather and chamois lined. Earcups holding telephone receivers were added by the tailor or rigger for a correct fit. This example looks to have never been worn – although it has initials inked in the nape. Includes a matching soft chin cup. Tag indicates manufacture by HLB Corp. and the helmet is a large size 7-1/4. Perfect condition.​
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$100 / £80 / €97
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 USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |  USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |
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 USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |  USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |
 USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |  USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |
 USN NAF1092 flying helmet by HLB Corp. Large size, textbook condition. |
Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition.
Superb example of the iconic RFC cowl type hooded flying helmet. Butter soft leather with a chamois lining around the chin/neck and inside the crown, with a fur lining around the head. Cord tightens the facial opening and is secured by the leather chin strap and buckle. Trapezoid ear flaps and padded leather cylinders for wind deflection and narrow straps tighten the forehead. Crisp, clear War Dept, broad arrow marking inside. Best of all it retains 90% of its fur - most of these helmets found today have the fur rubbed or moulted away. An absolute stunner with shows light use and a couple of minor marks on the front, but very hard to find better.​
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$1,345 / £1,100 / €1,310
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 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
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 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
 Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |  Royal Flying Corps Cowl type, fur-lined leather flying helmet in excellent condition. |
RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965.
Successor to the C, D and E helmets of WWII, the Type G followed the Type F into service in the mid-1950s. Blue Aertex cotton with large oval leather padded earcups to keep out noise, the G helmet could be worn alone or with a Mk I bone-dome/crash helmet over it. This helmet is in very good, used condition and complete except for the internal telephone recievers (all wiring is present and correct). It is fitted with the scarce mask attachment hooks and chain mechanism together with a Type P/Q oxygen mask. Mask is in very good condition, the rubber soft and pliable, with one very small split at the internal edge. Helmet is dated 1965 making it suitbable for the V-bombers or Shackleton, but also worn (with the bone-dome) in Hunters, Jet Provosts, Lightnings, etc.
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$200 / £165 / €195
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 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
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 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
 RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |  RAF Type G flying helmet wired and with Type Q oxygen mask. Cold War era circa 1965 |
RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36.
Excellent example of the 1930 Pattern Helmet which was the true predecessor of the Type B. Beautiful leather with a very clean chamois lining and built-in chin strap. Small printed label inside is difficult to read but says "Size 3" and dated 1936. Both od the attached "Mickey Mouse" ears are Air Ministry marked and dated 1935. bakelite telephone holders are fitted for intstalling receivers or Gosports. A scarce helmet which remained in service throughout WWII.
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$550 / £425 / €510
 RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |  RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |
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 RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |  RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |
 RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |  RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |
 RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |  RAF 1930 Pattern Flying helmet dated 1935/36. |
US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton.
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Bright green cotton helmet, with a long buckled chin strap, as worn by US Navy aircraft carrier deck crews. These were produced in different bright colours, with each colour denoting crew duty (engineer, armourer, airframe tech, fire/rescue etc). They were alos worn by pilots, especially carrier born fighter pilots, who had them modified by adding earcups and receivers. Snaps fitted to rear, probably for attaching a wiring loom/headset. Nice USN ink stamp on chin strap, excellent condition.
$75 / £60 / €70
 US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |  US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |
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 US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |  US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |
 US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |  US Navy carrier flight deck crew helmet in bright green cotton |
Extremely rare Mk I HSAT Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by glider pilots as well as paratroopers...
Properly known as "Helmet, Steel, Airborne Troops" (HSAT) it was also worn by RAF and Army glider pilots. Introduced in 1942 it was worn in Crete, on D-Day, Market Garden (A Bridge too Far) and throughout the war. Now extremely difficult to find - this near perfect, unused example is dated 1943 and well-marked to BMB (Briggs Motor Bodies). Size 6-5/8 and displays very well. Early horsehair padding sealed with a hard black coating and a heavy, blackened leather chin strap. Amazing condition. Looks superb as is or with a net and scrim, or with Mk VII or Mk VIII goggles for a glider pilot display. This pattern remained the standard until the leather strapping was replaced with a simplified webbing chin strap in 1944. Retains almost all its original sand-textured painted finish. An absolute beauty, all original and in fantastic condition.
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$2,995 / £2,250 / €2,680
 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |  Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
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 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |  Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |  Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |  Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |  Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
 Mk I Paratrooper helmet as worn on D-Day by RAF and Army glider pilots as well as paratroopers |
AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition.
Lovely, unissued example of the AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet introduced in 1944 for use in hot climates. Clean inside and out, never had receivers installed but rubber holders are pliable with no edge cracks or damage, Size medium but actually quite a generous size. This is the early version with 3 snaps/press stud fasteners on each side for attaching an oxygen mask. This one would be very difficult to upgrade.
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$95 / £75 / €90​
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
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 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
 AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |  AAF AN-H-15 summer flying helmet, unissued condition |
1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes.
Commercial flying helmet by the well known Air Associates brand, mid-1930s. Very similar to the type issued to US Navy aircrews; excellent quality leather with a chamois lining and fitted with blackened copper Gosport receivers for training and internal communication. Shows honest use but no damage or undue wear. Lovely helmet.
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$150 / £120 / €140
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
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 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
 1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |  1930s Air Associates commercial flying helmet with Gosport tubes |
AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask.
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Excellent example of the early wartime A-9 flight helmet, as issued without ear cups but fitted with snap/stud fasteners for the A-14 mask (2 each side positioned correctly for the strap attachment). In all other respects, the helmet appears to be in unissued and certainly unworn condition. GReen cotton with lambswool fleece pads inside and fleec wrapped leather chin strap. Size medium with a good label inside.
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$70 / £55 / €65
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
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 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |  AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
 AAF Type A-9 flying helmet with snaps fitted for A-14 oxygen mask |
US Army and AAF Mask, Field, Chamois dated 1943.
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Issued for cold weather conditions as protection against frostbite, these masks were also issued to aircrew exposed to extreme cold at altitude, after it was discovered that frostbite was responsible for more injuries then enemy action. It could be worn under a flying helmet and oxygen mask without any problems. This is an unissued example (eye holes never cut out) and retains its original QM label, which is very unusual. Appears to have got wet in storage but no damage or ill effects. Elastic strap still stretches like new. Haven't seen on for years and never with the label.
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$120 / £95 / €112
 US Army and AAF Mask, Field, Chamois dated 1943 |  US Army and AAF Mask, Field, Chamois dated 1943 |
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 US Army and AAF Mask, Field, Chamois dated 1943 |  US Army and AAF Mask, Field, Chamois dated 1943 |
US Army knitted balaclava style head and face protector.
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US Army knitted balaclava style hood issued to all branches of the Army including AAF air and ground crews servng in colder climates. Heavy, ribbed knit pattern in OD wool with facial opening that could be pulled under the chin to accommodate an oxygen mask. Nice 1941 dated printed QM label indicating manufacture by Lion Knitting Mills. Very good condition with no damage.
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$85 / £70 / €80
 DSCN8954 |  DSCN8953 |
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 IMG_0182 |  DSCN8955 |
Scully "Air Mail" luxury privately purchased commercial flying helmet, 1930s.
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One of, if not the, most luxurious privately purchased flying helmets of the interwar era, c1930. The beautiful Scully "Air Mail" helmet by Scully Bros. of Los Angeles was made from the softest glove leather and lined with butter soft suede. The helmet has elasticated gussets on each side for a snug fit, sturdy copper Gosport pipes and receivers, a rolled leather edge for comfort. Slightly dark staining on one side (looks like it might have been lying in oil at some time) but this looks worse in the pictures than real life and does not affect the feel or quality of the leather – there is no residual oiliness. Great label and large size. Lovely helmet.
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$165 / £138 / €155
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 US Airmail pilot's helmet by Scully Bros. |  US Airmail pilot's helmet by Scully Bros. |
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 US Airmail pilot's helmet by Scully Bros. |  DSCN5775 |
 DSCN5777 |  US Airmail pilot's helmet by Scully Bros. |
 DSCN5772 |
WWII Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft carrier deck handler's helmet.
A very scarce accessory - cotton helmet as worn by Royal Navy deck crews while manhandling aircraft on the flight decks of aircraft carriers during WWII. Each colour denoted a specific role or duty and I believe royal blue indicated starboard general duties. Simple unlined cotton helmet with a chin strap and buckle (essential for it not to be blown off in the high winds and propwash). Size 2 (Large) in unissued condition. See last photos for wartime colour photos of helmets being worn on cover and editorial in Illustrated News dated 1943. Note: this helmet is not the same as the US Navy issue deck helmets which were often modified into flying helmets by USN pilots. Very scarce item and the last one of a small batch I obtained a while back.
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$75 / £65 / €75
 DSCN0601 |  DSCN0604 |
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 DSCN0603 |  DSCN0600 |
 DSCN0602 |  DSCN0599 |
Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet.
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The Type F flying helmet was first developed and tested in 1950 as a successor to the ubiquitous Type C, because a new helmet was needed that would A) house new telephone receivers with larger noise attenuating pads and B) fit underneath a crash helmet (or "bone dome") when needed. The Type C remained in service for many years. The Type F, finally introduced into RAF service in 1954, was in service for less than a year, quickly superseded by the Type G which, though similar, featured additional mask fittings for the new P/Q series and a more comfortable, integral nape strap. Made from the same blue-grey Airtex fabric as the Type G, the two are often confused. This example has seen better days but still displays quite well. Rust stained on one side with a small tear (about 3/4" long) in left crown area, and one or two pinhead sized holes in the Airtex, it has a couple of the snap fasteners pulled through, although these are still present and could be repaired easily. It includes the hard-to-find large leather/rubber ear pads in good condition and, rather than a label as was sewn to later production helmets, it is ink stamped with sizing information (size 2, medium). Lacks chin strap in photos but I have now installed the correct chin strap. A very scarce helmet that is still quite reasonable for display and priced accordingly.
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$50 / £47 / €52
 Scarce early RAF Type F flying helmet |
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 DSCN3870 |
 DSCN3873 |
 DSCN3872 |
 DSCN3877 |
 IMG_7776 |
 DSCN3874 |