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MODEL 10-69

Dräger Model 10-69 oxygen mask

 

The Swiss Fliegertruppe operated the 10/69 "fighter mask" , officially referred to as the "Dräger Höhenatem--maske" (Dräger high altitute breathing mask), with the Messerschmitt Me 109 and possibly Morane D-3800.

 

The Model 10-69, introduced into German Luftwaffe service in 1937, was manufactured in four sizes by the Dräger Werke in Lübeck, northern Germany, and was basically an HM5/HM15 (entering service in 1934) with a two strap arrangement. The small rubber facepiece was resting on the chin (like the modern HA/LP-PPB), covering the mouth and nose area only. A ribbed, flat rectangular trunk protruding downwards from the mask body housed the exhalation valve while the corrugated breathing tube ended into a quick-disconnect attachment with a crocodile clip. Lined with soft chamois around the mask body edge the whole assembly was attached to the flying helmet by means of a two-strap harness designed for the LKpN-101. Still, the mask could be converted to the three-strap harness arrangement used with other helmets. While still being prone to freezing (considered a minor risk in modern single engine aircraft cockpits provided with heating) it was the preferred mask for fighter pilots well into WWII due to its lightweight construction.

It seems that the Swiss Fliegertruppe used the 10/69 with both two- and three-strap harness arrangements adapted for the various types of flying helmets. While the former comprised a neck/head strap (check the color pictures on the left), the latter was attached to a kind of „Juliett“ strap (see picture top left) similar to the one used by the USAAF with the Type A-10 mask.

 

It can be assumed that the 10-69 arrived in Switzerland with the delivery of Bf 109 Dora and Emil fighters shortly prior WWII. It is unknown to us if they saw postwar use with the Fliegertruppe‘s Bf 109 Emil and Gustav, the last examples of Swiss `109’s being retired in December 1949.

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