Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Radio / Communications Accessories
(click on pictures to enlarge)
AAF SW-141V "Push-to-Talk" switch with leather neck strap and clip.
The push-to-talk switch enabled aircrew members in multi-person aircraft to communicate with each other without the babble of everyone else talking. The wearer could only actually communicate by holding the switch in place. Releasing the switch allowed someone else to reply. Invaluable and used extensively, primarily in bombers. This example includes the leather neck strap and spring clip and leads for the mask or throat microphone. Excellent markings. Very difficult to find a better example.
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$110 / £90 / €108
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 AAF SW-141 push-to-talk communications switch complete with neck lanyard |  AAF SW-141 push-to-talk communications switch complete with neck lanyard |
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 AAF SW-141 push-to-talk communications switch complete with neck lanyard |  AAF SW-141 push-to-talk communications switch complete with neck lanyard |
AAF T-30-V throat microphone.
T-30-V throat microphone, manufactured by Shure Bros. of Chicago, with elastic neck strap. Marked "N" and "SB" on the pick-ups in yellow paint, but otherwise looks o be in unused condition. Not as common as they once were!
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$40 / £33 / €38
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 AAF T-30-V throat microphone |  AAF T-30-V throat microphone |
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 AAF T-30-V throat microphone |
AAF radio/headset extension cord.
Extension cord for the HS-38 headset as fitted in all AAF flying helmets from 1943 on (also the HB-7 headband). The red PL-354 plug goes into the JK-26 jack with the other end plugging into the aircraft radio. This is a long extension (6 feet) to allow the crew member to move around in the aircraft, so most probably for a crew position on a heavy bomber. The rubber coated cord and both plugs are in perfect condition.
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$45 / £37 / €44
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 AAF radio/headset extension cord |  AAF radio/headset extension cord |
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 AAF radio/headset extension cord |  AAF radio/headset extension cord |
RAF wiring loom / cord for the internally wired Type C, D and E helmets.
Tan braided internal wiring loom (Connector Type 209F 10H/4887) in unissued condition with leads for attaching two Type 16 or 32 receivers, bell plug and female socket for microphone mask. Perfact condition with none of the connection terminals broken as they often are.
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$75/ £60 / €73
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 RAF wiring loom / cord for the internally wired Type C, D and E helmets |  RAF wiring loom / cord for the internally wired Type C, D and E helmets |
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 RAF wiring loom / cord for the internally wired Type C, D and E helmets |
RAF Type 21 Microphone Assembly for the Type D oxygen mask.
Introduced in October 1940 at the tail end of the Battle of Britain, the Type 20 electro-magnetic microphone was a significant improvement over the earlier Type C and Type 18 microphones. Installed on a Type Q cord it was referenced as Type 21 Microphone Assembly. This example, fitted to a lovely maroon Q cord and bell plug, appears unissued, and still has its rubber band around the connections inside the microphone housing. Hard to upgrade!
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$400 / £315 / €380
 RAF Type 21 Microphone Assembly for the Type D oxygen mask |  RAF Type 21 Microphone Assembly for the Type D oxygen mask |
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 RAF Type 21 Microphone Assembly for the Type D oxygen mask |  RAF Type 21 Microphone Assembly for the Type D oxygen mask |
AAF T-30-S throat microphone, sealed in original box.
Used by all AAF fighter pilots and aircrew personnel, and still not difficult to find, but an original, unopened and still sealed example is a scarce find.
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$45 / £36 / €33
 AAF T-30-S throat microphone, sealed in original box |  AAF T-30-S throat microphone, sealed in original box |
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 AAF T-30-S throat microphone, sealed in original box |
US Marine Corps MAB radio headset complete with TH-37 receivers as issued to WWII paratroopers.
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Very interesting complete headset featuring a standard USN headband fitted with TH-37 receivers and RS-33B hand held microphone with long rubber covered communication cord and plug. Used with the MAB radio for short distance communication between USMC paratroopers once on the ground. Lovely condition - never seen a complete set up nicer than this. Rubber wiring is in excellent condition with no issues. TH-37 receivers with similar wiring and headsets were used in most USN and USMC flying helmets and headsets in all areas and theatres throughout the war.​
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$150 / £120 / €145
 US Marine Corps MAB radio headset complete with TH-37 receivers as issued to WWII paratroopers |
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 US Marine Corps MAB radio headset complete with TH-37 receivers as issued to WWII paratroopers |
 US Marine Corps MAB radio headset complete with TH-37 receivers as issued to WWII paratroopers |
 US Marine Corps MAB radio headset complete with TH-37 receivers as issued to WWII paratroopers |
US Navy aviator's radio headset with ANB-H-1A receivers.
Excellent US Navy headset for pilot or aircrew, utlizing the HB-7 headband fitted with ANB-H-1 receivers in Navy marked hard rubber noise-attenuating pads, long cord and correct NAF aircraft plug. Excellent condition with the additional comfort modification of a fur lining applied to the inside of the leather headband - looks like t is made from the collar of a flying jacket.
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$75 / £60 / €70
 US Navy aviator's radio headset with ANB-H-1A receivers, long cord and NAF plug |  US Navy aviator's radio headset with ANB-H-1A receivers, long cord and NAF plug |
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 US Navy aviator's radio headset with ANB-H-1A receivers, long cord and NAF plug |  US Navy aviator's radio headset with ANB-H-1A receivers, long cord and NAF plug |
US Navy aviator's communications extension cord.
Scarce accessory for USN or Marine Corps pilot or aircrew. This extension cord connects with the headset to allow more freedom of movement as needed in certain crew positions. Unissued condition.
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$45 / £35 / €42
 US Navy aviator's microphone extension cord |  US Navy aviator's microphone extension cord |
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RAF headset comprising Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug.
Worn as an alternative to a flying helmet in many larger aircraft, especially long range patrol aircraft such as the Sunderland, Catalina, Liberator and other bombers. The Type C headband was considerably more comfortable than a helmet over long periods of time. This example is fitted with Canadian-made C-3 receivers (same as RAF Type 16) and wired with the correct loom and plug for listening to Morse code. Also worn by WAAFs in the ops room and students in Link trainers. Excellent condition, shows virtually no wear. Nice AM markings moulded into each rubber component.
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$145 / £112 / €135
 RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |  RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |
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 RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |  RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |
 RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |  RAF Type C headband, fully wired with RCAF Type C-3 receivers, cord and plug |
British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4 with origial box.
Scarce wiring loom/cord for use with Army headset No. 4. Still packed in original box. Maroon braided cord with a light fleck, Y-configuration with 2 leads to earphones / receivers and a very long cord with connectors for the plug. Unissued, unuesd condition. Electrical wiring components are getting so difficult to source thee days!
$39 / £30 / €35
 British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4. |  British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4. |
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 British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4. |  British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4. |
 British Army telephone cord ZA2049 for headgear assembly No.4. |
RAF Type 48 microphone for E, E* or G oxygen mask.
Very good example of the Type 48 microphone assembly, which comprises the Type 25 microphone with a short cord for use on later, internally wired flying helmets. Minor paint chips to black lacquered finish; rubber sealing ring in great condition. The microphone fits on the Type E, E* or G oxygen mask.
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$45 / £35 / €42
 RAF Type 48 microphone for E, E* or G oxygen mask |  RAF Type 48 microphone for E, E* or G oxygen mask |
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 RAF Type 48 microphone for E, E* or G oxygen mask |
RAF headphone receiver cord Type A in original storage box.
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Stores ref. no. 10H/117 indicating aircraft cockpit radio equipment, this cord is for use with standard aircraft receivers as fitted into a headset or flying helmet, but without the lead going to a microphone: in other words for receiving only (such as with a Morse transmitter or perhaps Gee radar equipment). Perfect, unissued condition, in wax paper and repacked in a box dated 1951, still with original paper tag attached. Fitted with the single pin red plug marked with a nice engraved A-crown-M property mark and stores ref. number.
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$55 / £45 / €52
 RAF headphone receiver cord Type A in original storage box. |
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 RAF headphone receiver cord Type A in original storage box. |
 RAF headphone receiver cord Type A in original storage box. |
 DSCN9847 |
AAF adaptor type MC-385-A hi-lo impedance switch with headset extension cord.
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Another seldom seen but nonetheless important accessory for the USAAF pilots and aircrews. This small plug adaptor converts high impedance to low impedance on the HS-33 and HS-38 headset (ANB-H-1 receivers). Used in aircraft fitted with high impedance radios (primarily British aircraft or US aircraft made for the RAF, which includes Mosquitoes, Spitfires etc. but also B-24, B-17, B-25, P-47 and P-51 which were made under Air Ministry contract). Includes an extension cord and plug, though the red PL-254 could also be plugged directly into the adaptor.
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$65 / £52 / €60
 AAF adaptor type MC-385-A hi-lo impedance switch. |  DSCN9681 |
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 DSCN9682 |  AAF adaptor type MC-385-A hi-lo impedance switch.DSCN9679 |
RAF wartime issue Type C headband.
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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. The 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 well used condition, however the rubber remains flexible. The chamois is grubby and there is a worn spot on one "donut" pad. Nice crisp A-crown-M on both sides indicating pre-1944 production.
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$45 / £35 / €42
 RAF wartime issue Type C headband |  DSCN8487 |
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 DSCN8490 |  DSCN8488 |
 DSCN8489 |
RAF Type 48 microphone assembly.
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The Type 48 microphone assembly comprises a Type 25 microphone with the short cord that plugs into the internally wired C, D or E helmets. Whlist a bit dusty from storage, this example is in overall good condition. The rubber retaining ring has one split which does not seem to go all the way through and I am sure the microphone would clean up nicely.
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$45 / £35 / €42
 RAF Type 48 microphone assembly. |  DSCN8511 |
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 DSCN8509 |  DSCN8508 |
 DSCN8510 |
AAF SW-141 push-to-talk switch assembly.
Push-to-talk switch worn by pilots and aircrew to facilitate easier transmission while in combat and eliminate background chatter. When the switch was pressed, the wearer could transmit but no one else on the same channel could be heard. The switch could be locked into the on position during emergencies. Excellent condition, though lacking the neck strap (this was often removed and the switch affixed to the oxygen mask or flying jacket).
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$85 / £65 / €75
 AAF SW-141 push-to-talk switch assembly |  DSCN7473 |
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 IMG_9220 |  DSCN7471 |
 DSCN7472 |
AAF ANB-H-1 telephone receivers for flying helmets.
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A few loose (non-matching) ANB-H-1 receivers for flying helmets. used but very good condition. No two are a perfect match so they are sold individually (it is not uncommon to find helmets with mismatched receivers as they were often replaced in the field).
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Price each.
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$35 / £28 / €33
 AAF ANB-H-1 telephone receivers for flying helmets |  AAF ANB-H-1 telephone receivers for flying helmets |
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RAF Gosport receivers.
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Black bakelite receivers which fit into the telephone holders on flying helmets (or inside the zip pockets on the Type B or RN FAA helmets) as part of the Gosport communication system. Air Ministry marked and with the RAF stores ref. number moulded into the plastic. In excellent used condition, no damage.
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$55 / £48 / €55
 RAF Gosport receivers |  RAF Gosport receivers |
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 RAF Gosport receivers |  DSCN6070 |
RAF flying helmet aircraft plug adaptor/tester.
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RAF aircraft plug adaptor/tester. For testing the communications system in a flying helmet. The bell-shaped plug goes into the large bakelite female socket and then the smaller male plug goes into a test unit to check the system.
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$45 / £36 / €43
 RAF aircraft plug adaptor/tester |  DSCN0169 |
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AAF (Signal Corps) radio headset adapter M-385-A (High-low Impedance switch).
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While the RAF used a large lozenge shaped metal switch box in the middle of the wiring loom for high-low impedance, the USAAF version was a smaller, lighter plug-jack adapter. This example is unissued, still in its box, complete with instruction sheet. The first I have ever seen. Scarce accessory.
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$25/ £24 / €20 email to secure this item
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
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 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |
 AAF headset adapter M-385A |