B Type leather flying helmet

Manufacturer:                   J. Compton Sons & Webb Ltd, London

Production year:                1940

Size:                               2 (6 7/8 and 7)

Stores Ref.:                      22C/65

Marked:                           "BADON"

The B type helmet, which appeared as early as 1935, can easily be identified by its large, domed earphone housings with zip closures, incorporating large sponge rubber inserts (ref. no. 22C/66) for soundproofing. Care should be taken, anyway not to mix it up with a Fleet

Air Arm C type helmet, the latter featuring the same type of earphone housings. This helmet made of soft leather and chamois-lined throughout, features quick release "Bennett" buckles on the tightening straps at the rear and under the chin. 

Two snap fasteners on either side were used to attach the D type oxygen mask, but the helmet could be easily fitted with different attachments in order to be worn with later patterns of oxygen masks.

The B Type helmet, produced in four sizes by many notable tailors, hatters and shoemakers as contractors, was re-designated in 1941, with each size allocated a different stores reference number (22C/285-288).

D Type oxygen mask

Stores Ref.No.:        6D/105

The D type mask was introduced in the mid 1930s and remained in service well into WWII. Many different ways of attaching it are known, be it by means of snap fasteners, modified goggle straps or elastic straps. In most cases the mask was attached directly to the flying helmet with four snap fasteners fixed to the mask body.

The mask body (Ref. No. 6D/106) is constructed of fine green wool on the outside and soft chamois lining on the inside, the latter including a horseshoe shaped padded cushion. Between the two layers there is another thin layer of linen insulation, a cardboard stiffener to help the mask hold its shape and a length of flexible wire to shape the mask for a more secure fit to the wearer's face.

When the D type mask was declared obsolete in 1942, some examples still continued to be used as pure microphone carriers in areas where oxygen supply was not necessary.

In order to prevent the metal snap fasteners to freeze to the wearer's skin at high altitude, these are fixed on so-called "face-defenders" (Ref. No. 22C/68) which could be sewn onto each side of the mask.

Although the D type mask was factory issued without provision for communications, it was also designed to carry a microphone on the front.

This example is equipped with the Type 21 electro-magnetic microphone (Ref. No. 10A/11994), introduced in October 1940.)

Oxygen (constant flow) was carried through an insulated (in this case REPLICA) rubber

tube, which is attached to the protruding inlet stem featured on the black painted metal

ring (Ref. No. 6D/117) of the mask. On the other end of the tube a bayonet connector Mk IIIB (Ref. No. 6D/101) was to be plugged directly into the aircraft's main oxygen supply.

Mark IVb flying goggles

Stores Ref.No.:        22C/167

Although it eliminated many problems which plagued the Mk III and Mk IIIa goggles (distorted vision, easily being scratched, offering little fire protection), the Mk IV had to undergo some modifications during its development in order to bring satisfactory results.

After the Mk IV (heavy, complicated to produce and cumbersome) and the Mk IVa (heavy and fragile), the Mk IVb was an attempt to combine the best features of its predecessors, resulting also in easier production.

A more securely fixed flip-down polarizing screen and pre-assembled framed lenses were significant improvements compared to earlier models and resulted in higher production numbers than those of the forerunners. Tinted lenses were also available. A fact which lead many pilots to discard the brittle plastic flip-down screen.

Made of brass with sponge rubber pads for a more comfortable fit, it was attached to the wearers head by means of two large cloth covered spring loops held in place at each corner of the brass body and joined across the back of the head by a leather strap and buckle.

This rather bizarre arrangement was specifically designed to accommodate the protruding

 ear cups of the B type flying helmet.