RCAF Flight Helmet

This helmet is missing from the main references on the topic. It always had me baffled because of the snap on the top. I always wondered if it the inside of a "Bone Dome" and the snap fastened it to the outer shell. About 10 years after I found the helmet, I found the light. It appears the light would snap to the top in case the crew needed to ditch into the ocean; I have a navy skull cap with the same feature .....  I now believe the helmet is a Canadian coastal command helmet.

Ypres

It is a WW2 RCAF summer flying helmet.   The snap on top was for the associated externally-mounted wiring loom.  This particular helmet is referenced on pages 70 and 226 of Mick Prodger's "Vintage Flying Helmets".  According to my research, these were not worn overseas and were only worn in Canada.

Here are a couple of pictures of the example in my collection (just recently sold), showing the oxygen mask as well as the correct wiring loom configuration:





In my example, the wiring loom was connected to the microphone on a mounted in an RCAF Gutta Percha oxygen mask.  The only thing non-original on mine was the chinstrap, as the original was missing.  

It was a beautiful setup - and one of the nicest flying helmets in my collection.  I somewhat regret selling it,  but I needed to raise some money for some WW1 items that I coveted even more!

Ledfut,

Thanks for your reply. Is the light pictured in my post referenced in Prodger's book? Do you have any period references for this helmet?

Thanks,

Ypres

I have the black wire comms cord for this helmet as well as a Gutta Purcha Canadian Made Oxygem mask

Dean O

Ypres - Still willing to consider potential trades?  Please check your email...