WWII USAAF Flight Helmets and Related Accessories

[dmar836]

Just for USAC and USAAF, please.

 

I'll start. This is the A-8 with earcups. 

SSGT Edwin Berne, 456th BG

 

[TheCrustyBosun]

16 minutes ago, dmar836 said:

Just for USAC and USAAF, please.

 

I'll start. This is the A-8 with earcups. 

SSGT Edwin Berne, 456th BG

 

Nice!  That’s the rig I wish I had. Here’s what I do have.....

[dmar836]

Labels would be really interesting to show but I prefer to not disassemble those that are "dressed". I'm not sure I've even heard of Consolidated Slipper Corp but that's pretty cool! I remember first finding Eddie Bauer clothing items (B-8 or 9 trousers) and Sears (C-1 vest), etc. Pretty neat how they all changed over to war production.

Dave

[TheCrustyBosun]

23 minutes ago, dmar836 said:

Labels would be really interesting to show but I prefer to not disassemble those that are "dressed". I'm not sure I've even heard of Consolidated Slipper Corp but that's pretty cool! I remember first finding Eddie Bauer clothing items (B-8 or 9 trousers) and Sears (C-1 vest), etc. Pretty neat how they all changed over to war production.

Dave

Right!  I’ve got one of those Sears/Reliance C-1’s. Had a chance to grab an M-1 Carbine by Singer once. Thought that was cool. 

[dmar836]

Yeah, and Rockola!

[dmar836]

So here are some A-9s. Plain on the left, then with O2 hooks, then with ear cups and O2 snaps added. I have a couple more under helmets. These are by far the easiest AAF helmets to find.

The stock one has now had the strap ripped and the shearling chin pad lost(on my watch!). Last year I loaned it to a friend's 5th grade daughter for an Amelia Earheart "presentation". My wife and I debated it briefly but figured damage was unlikely and they are not rare or expensive. I thought it would be fine. I can just see her friend's playing tug of war with it. I suppose I should be glad she didn't lose it. I also loaned her a reproduction A-1 jacket and an A-6B computer(but we gave her my wife's modern aluminum one and NOT a WWII one). I don't think she damaged those. We didn't mention any of this to the parents.

Tip: Don't loan out anything you aren't willing to just give away or lose. I know A-9s aren't difficult to find but other's don't understand the sentiment or even the value of things others collect. I don't remember my parents ever asking other families to borrow their things for my show-and-tells. I suspect I might have been seen as "selfish" had I not consented. Times have changed for sure.

[P-59A]

This is my A-11 flying helmet with the ANB-H-1 receiver and the A-14 oxygen mask with coms. The flying helmet is tagged with a number and the receiver is also tagged with "Head Set HS 38".

[Wayward Son]

Fantastic items, Gents!

[P-59A]

This is a salty AN-H-15. It's well worn and came with two chin straps...not sure why.

[P-59A]

This one is a bit of an odd ball. It has the looks of the A-11 , but no snaps or the cinch pull on the back. The tag is not clear what it is.

 

[P-59A]

This is the B-5 I posted before with the A-9 oxygen with the joliet strap and the correct period head set for early WW2. The B-7 goggles would be better, buy the AN works.

[P-59A]

A-10 O2

[TheCrustyBosun]

4 minutes ago, P-59A said:

A-10 O2

Good looking A-10.

[dmar836]

Good stuff. Your A-11 has the same spec number so I think it was just labelled differently(some included everything, some just the stock no or order no). The stock number is lower on yours than most but not sure if that means it was early or not - I would assume it does.

[P-59A]

1 hour ago, dmar836 said:

Good stuff. Your A-11 has the same spec number so I think it was just labelled differently(some included everything, some just the stock no or order no). The stock number is lower on yours than most but not sure if that means it was early or not - I would assume it does.

dmar, So the only way that cap in post 10 works for high altitude is to be mated with the A-9 O2 mask with the jolliet head harness and straps. Its a little odd given the 44- date and the A-9 being limited standard by that time. Maybe it was intended for pilots in training? Low altitudes would negate the need for O2 and the PTT would round it out. Just a thought. 

[dmar836]

Boy, speculation isn't my forte but if the gosport tubes fit....

[dmar836]

BTW, that A-11 with gosport setup doesn't have the typical O2 snaps but does have the cinch in the back. It 45 dated so not all of them got the snaps.

I might have put those tunes in 20 yrs ago(gasp if I did) - can't remember. So not claiming it came this way.

Dave

 

[P-59A]

My plane Jane B-9 cap

[P-59A]

Three A-9 masks. These were only made 41-43. The early production mask was standardized in 41 and is grey in color (bottom right). In 42 the L-12 variant was made with a rubber strap being added going up between the eyes in an attempt to keep the mask in place (I do not have this one). Most aircrew didn't like it and cut them off. As they did upgrades to the mask a larger flapper valve was used and it took on a slightly different grey green look (top right) and the final modification took on the green look seen on the far left. By 1943 they were declared obsolete. These early masks were made to have the MC-253 or the MC-254 microphone tuck into a pocket, but aircrews used the T-30 throat microphone. These were the first masks made to be used with the new diluter-demand oxygen system that replaced continuous flow system. On the nose bridge you will see the area were the wire is supposed to be for the nose bridge adjustment. 

[P-59A]

The A-6 diluter demand oxygen system in different configurations. From the A-9 oxygen mask on this is what you are tapping into.

[P-59A]

Radio head sets came in different  configurations depending on the time frame. From left to right is the oldest with the hard bakelite ear piece followed by two mid war head sets with foam rubber as a part of the ear piece. These are a part of the ear piece and do not come off. After that is the late war configuration with the removable ear pad. Next to that is the flight helmet configuration and last are two removable ear piece cushions. The round ones I'm guessing are late mid war and the right are late war.

[dmar836]

Cool stuff. Most of mine is spread out on various displays so I really don't remember what all I have. That's a pretty good synopsis you've posted. I have the variants of the A-9s with the stock one with the strap, the "field-cut" one, and the later "modified" with the factory-cut/molded nose bridge.  Getting them in line is a pain for me unless I undress a few things. LOL

Great post!

[P-59A]

I found that leather flight helmet on the 303rdBG page' It replaced the B-6 for a short time until the A-11 showed up......."Shown above and below: On the left is the A-11 helmet. On the right is the more rare AN-H-16. Because they are so similar the two helmets can be easily confused or hard to identify in photos. The best example photo I came across here at the 303rd site is the 360th Christian Crew (Max A Christian). Two of the crew are wearing the AN-H-16 helmet. The other man wears a RAF C type helmet. Note the differences in the helmet. The interior shot below shows the shearling interior. The small "brow" bill was either shearling or chamois leather (shown). I would issue this warning to beginning collectors who obtain the B-6 helmet or AN-H-16 helmet. If it has snaps for the O2 masks I would urge you not to snap your O2 mask to it. The snaps will eventually pull out of the helmet."

[dmar836]

Missed you mention it. The AN-H-16?

[P-59A]

11 minutes ago, dmar836 said:

Missed you mention it. The AN-H-16?

Yup! put your ANB-H-1 in it!!!!! Scarce genuine 1944 AN-H-16 flying helmet. Basis of issue: one each to exposed gunners on USAAF B24's and B17's heavy and very heavy bombardment aircraft and when requested by Air Force Commander. Only 40,000 were produced between Oct. 1943 and Oct. 1944 until cancelled, meaning no further procurements were made after that date.