92 replies to this topic

[Scarecrow]

The "Before and After" photos:

 

[1canpara]

Beautiful restoration! Is he expensive for this kind of work?

[Scarecrow]

Under the old adage "you get what you pay for", Stephen is without question in my mind the best at his craft.  Sefton Clothing has a whole host of products he's not just a repair service.  I have found his work to be very reasonably priced, for what he does.  Might you get it done cheaper someplace else, maybe you can. But if authenticity is your goal then Stephen is your guy.

[1canpara]

Under the old adage "you get what you pay for", Stephen is without question in my mind the best at his craft.  Sefton Clothing has a whole host of products he's not just a repair service.  I have found his work to be very reasonably priced, for what he does.  Might you get it done cheaper someplace else, maybe you can. But if authenticity is your goal then Stephen is your guy.

I agree! If its worth getting it done, its worth doing it right and paying the price!

[VenitHora]

Great group, Scarecrow!

[theflyingsweede]

Here's some of my AAF flight helmets

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[38Driver]

Under the old adage "you get what you pay for", Stephen is without question in my mind the best at his craft.  Sefton Clothing has a whole host of products he's not just a repair service.  I have found his work to be very reasonably priced, for what he does.  Might you get it done cheaper someplace else, maybe you can. But if authenticity is your goal then Stephen is your guy.

 

You speak the truth!  Stephen restored my very first Type C that I got as a teenager back in the 70s.  He's restored 8 different Type Cs and 2 Type Ds.  Mostly it's been replacing the wrecked ear cups, but he really blew me away when I sent him a USAAF taped ear cup Type C.  The lining was shredded and some of the outside was in trouble too.  He repaired the outside and surprised me by replacing the lining with an actual wartime NOS lining. 

 

Right now he has four projects of mine in process.  I'm a sucker for saving stuff that looks beaten up.  Each time he's come through.  I can't recommend him enough

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[38Driver]

The repaired helmet

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[38Driver]

Thought I'd might add one more flight helmet to this great thread.  I have a twofold purpose, one is to share this helmet with fellow Forum members and the second to put in a plug for a great restorer.  I as a general rule, do not restore items from my collection.  I tend to be a more "leave as is" collector.  But there are always exceptions to the norm.  This Brit C Helmet belonged to James F. Hackler, a Silver Star recipient and pilot with the 358th Fighter Group.  The 358th, "The Orange Tails", were a P-47 group with the 9th Air Force.  Hackler's long and heroic career is too long to elaborate here in this flight helmet thread but maybe I'll post a separate thread about this man and his grouping that I am fortunate to be the caretaker of.

 

Any how as you can tell this is an id'd combat used British C Helmet, as worn by many US pilots.  The two ear cups were completely roached and deteriorated so I sent the helmet off to my friend Stephen Silburn at Sefton Clothing.  Stephen is a master when it comes to helmet restoration and I would not hesitate for a second to recommend him for any projects you might have.  I have included a couple of "before and after" photos of the helmet receiver cup replacements.  Interesting to note how the US receivers fit into the cups and makes you realize why many US flyers "taped" them in.  Thanks for looking.

Paul (aka Scarecrow)

resized_Five.jpgresized_Two.jpgresized_One.jpgresized_image1.jpg

 

Interesting.  Stephen is repairing one that I believe belonged to an Orange Tail pilot as well   I'll post it when it returns back across the pond!

[Scarecrow]

 

Interesting.  Stephen is repairing one that I believe belonged to an Orange Tail pilot as well   I'll post it when it returns back across the pond!

Dan,

 

Would LOVE to see that helmet when you get it back.  And I also have an affinity for the "been there" items no matter how salty looking. 

 

Paul

[Scarecrow]

Here's some of my AAF flight helmets

 

VERY nice collection.

[1canpara]

Here's some of my AAF flight helmets

WOW! 😲 Thats an incredible collection! Youre gonna need more mannequin heads!

[phantomfixer]

Here's some of my AAF flight helmets

theflyingsweede.......Amazing collection...and maybe an understatement....

Edited by phantomfixer, 24 January 2019 - 12:02 PM.

[VenitHora]

Great stuff all around! Flying Swede, more pictures and close ups please!

[VenitHora]

Here is an interesting A-8 helmet with British B helmet earcups added. 

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[VenitHora]

Another view.

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[Scarecrow]

Here is an interesting A-8 helmet with British B helmet earcups added. 

 

Now that is a cool, unique and interesting flight helmet!

[VenitHora]

Thank you, Scarecrow!