RAAF flight helmets and masks all eras with the history of the aircrew

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Type G oxygen mask with Type 26 microphone

Type G oxygen mask with Type 48 microphone

Type C unwired leather flying helmet with Mk VIII flying goggles

Flight Lieutenant A J Henry RAAF
Henry enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. Henry embarked for Canada where he was attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force and undertook further training, qualifying as a pilot and promoted to sergeant . In June he embarked for the United Kingdom and was attached to the Royal Air Force . On 23 March 1944 Henry was commissioned pilot officer, and posted to 103 Squadron, RAF in July. Two of Henry’s younger brothers, Flight Lieutenant David Alexander Henry, DFC and Flying Officer Gaven William Henry, also served as pilots with 103 Squadron. They were known around the base as Henry Mk I, Mk II and Mk III, and all took part in a 1000-bomber raid on Cologne on the night of 30 October. Henry was posted to 13 Base, RAF in November where he served as a test pilot. After being promoted to flight lieutenant, Henry left the United Kingdom in 1946 flying a RAF Avro Lincoln bomber as part of a development flight which traveled to Malta, Egypt, Persia, India, Burma and Singapore before reaching Laverton, Victoria where the aircraft was presented to the RAAF. Henry was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945. The citation reads ‘This officer joined his present squadron in 1944, and has since completed an outstanding tour of operational duty. His skill was demonstrated on the first sortie as captain of an aircraft, when his aircraft was attacked and severely damaged by an enemy fighter. The rear gunner was gravely wounded and Flight Lieutenant Henry, despite the damage to instruments and controls, chose a short but extremely hazardous route back to base in order to obtain speedy medical attention. Undeterred by this harassing experience, Flight Lieutenant Henry has continued his tour of duty with a series of attacks on very heavily defended targets and has always displayed coolness, courage and determination.’. After the war Henry became a flying instructor with the Tamworth and Newcastle Aero Clubs. In 1949 he enlisted in the Permanent Air Force Reserve, retiring from service in November 1960. His other brother, Henry Mk IV, Corporal Ronald McEwan Henry also served with the RAAF as a fitter with a flying boat station.

Type D Flying Helmet, first pattern.
Flying Officer A W Lehdey RAAF.

Lehdey enlisted in the RAAF in 1941 and was posted to England for further flight training and conversion to Wellington bombers.
Lehdey spent all of 1943 in England with various training and operational training units. In April 1944 that he was posted to the Middle East. He arrived in North Africa in May and was posted to 458 Squadron, then based in Italy, where he arrived in late June. He was immediately involved in operational flying in an anti-shipping and conventional bombing role. In August he took part in 458 Squadron's support of the Allied invasion of Southern France.
On 26 January 1945, 458 Squadron relocated to Gibraltar. For the remainder of the war, Lehdey flew escort duty for Allied convoys and continued to search for German submarines in the Western Atlantic.

'Aertex' type E Flying Helmet

The Type 'E' lightweight internally wired Flying Helmet was used by RAF and RAAF aircrew circa 1940s-1950s. Cut from the same pattern as the standard Type 'C' leather helmet, the Type 'E' was made of cotton 'Aertex' fabric which made it lighter and more comfortable for extended wear. The first versions were unwired, but this model, with an internal wiring loom for radio receivers and a built-in microphone plug connector on the left hand side, superceded the earlier varieties in 1944. Originally intended for the use of Coastal Command crews, it was also adopted by many fighter pilots, and remained in service until the introduction of protective 'Bone Dome' crash helmets in the early 1950s. RAAF aircrew used these helmets extensively in the SW Pacific area during the Second World War, and in Korea.

Pair of Gosport tubes

Australian pattern brown leather flying helmet, as used by trainee pilots, with a soft beige chamois inner lining and brass zippered, leather headphone cups stitched to either side. These cups hold the stems for a Gosport tube communication device. There is a thin adjustable strap and buckle across the forehead and three more adjusting straps at the rear of the helmet. A label stitched to the inside of the helmet lining reads V 505 MADE IN AUSTRALIA 1943 .
Squadron Leader B A Grace, RAAF
Bert Augustus 'Mick' Grace enlisted in the RAAF in 1940. He had learned to fly before the war, and after training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1940. Grace embarked for England in 940, and after further operational training was posted to 258 Squadron RAF in March 1941, flying Hurricane fighter aircraft. He was promoted to Flying Officer in May.
In September 1941 Grace was posted to 453 Squadron RAAF at Singapore, flying Brewster Buffalo aircraft. The squadron moved to Ipoh in northern Malaya in mid-December to meet the Japanese invasion. During this move the Australian pilots engaged the Japanese in combat for the first time, and Grace claimed his first aerial victory. The squadron was withdrawn to Singapore Island ten days later in the face of the swift Japanese advance. Operations against a numerically superior Japanese force continued from Singapore, and on 17 January, Grace and another Australian pilot claimed three aerial victories near Malacca. By February the squadron's position on the island became untenable. The unit was withdrawn to Sumatra ten days before the fall of Singapore, returning to Australia in March.
Grace was posted to the newly formed 76 Squadron in 1942, one of the first Australian squadrons to be equipped with the P-40 Kittyhawk. After several months training with their new aircraft, the squadron deployed to Port Moresby in July 1942, and moved to Gurney Field at Milne Bay in August, where they and 75 Squadron played a critical role in halting the Japanese amphibious assault.
Grace's squadron was relieved in September 1942 and returned to Australia. The following month he was posted to 9 Operational Group as a staff officer in charge of training. During this period he received notification of his being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, mainly for his skill in the Milne Bay operations.
Grace was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in April 1943, and was posted to 2 Operational Training Unit as a flying instructor in the same month.
In March 1944 he was given command of 82 Squadron. Initially destined for Hughes Airfield in the Northern Territory, the squadron were instead based at Townsville, Queensland. After a period of training, Grace and his squadron deployed to Port Moresby in August 1944, moving to Noemfoor Island in September. 82 Squadron were engaged in patrolling and strafing flights against enemy installations, airfields and shipping. Grace was promoted to Squadron Leader in January 1945.
In March 1945 the unit was moved to the island of Morotai, and operations continued. 82 Squadron then moved to the island of Labuan off Borneo in June 1945. Grace led the first aircraft to arrive on the island on 25 June. 82 Squadron were then engaged in close support of army operations on the island of Borneo until the cessation of hostilities on 15 August.1945

 

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Type H oxygen mask Fitted with a Type 57 microphone, date made 1951
The Type H oxygen mask was used with both the Type C and E helmets .

Type 'H' green rubber oxygen mask with built-in Type 57 microphone.
Flight Lieutenant Bernard John Reynolds RAAF
The Type 'H' oxygen mask was developed from the earlier Type 'G', and entered RAF service in 1944. Its main advantage over earlier masks was in the fitting of the lightweight Type 57 transmitting microphone unit (actually the US designed MC253 adapted for British use.) The mask saw relatively little service during the Second World War, but was extensively used by RAAF aircrew in Korea, and proved so successful that it remained in RAAF and RAF service without modification until the 1980s.

Type E flying helmet : Flight Lieutenant B J Reynolds, RAAF
Beige cotton 'Aertex' Type 'E' lightweight, internally wired flying helmet.
Used in the Malayan Emergency Lincoln bombers.

Reynolds graduated from No 2 Course, RAAF Point Cook December 1952 after training on Wirraways. Assigned to 22 (Mustang) Squadron, Schofields, NSW, he converted to Mustang and Vampires at No 2 Operational Training Unit in the following year. In July 1953 Reynolds transferred to 2 Squadron flying Lincolns and acted as co-pilot on one of three Lincolns tasked with flying through the atomic cloud generated by the British nuclear test at Emu Field, South Australia on 15 October 1953. With the rank of Flying Officer, he was transferred to RAAF Tengah at Singapore and spent 1954 and 1955 flying Lincolns operationally with 1 and 6 Squadrons on missions in Malaya during the Emergency. Reynolds returned to Australia in 1956, attending a Flying Instructors Course on Wirraway, Vampire and Winjeels and, promoted to Flight Lieutenant, served as a jet instructor on Vampire aircraft in 1957-58 at Central Flying School After serving as personal aide to Air Marshall Sir Frederick Scherger from 1959-60, Reynolds converted to the CAC CA-27 Sabre in 1961 and was appointed Flight Commander of 76 Squadron, Williamtown in 1962, a position he held until 1963. During the same period, he was leader of 76 Squadron's Red Diamonds Aerobatic Team, flying Sabres. Towards the end of 1963, Flight Lieutenant Reynolds was transferred to Perrin Air Force Base, Texas, USA on an exchange posting flying F102A Delta Daggers and the T33A Thunderbird trainer, the latter aircraft used by the Americans for aerobatic flying. In 1967, Reynolds was promoted to Wing Commander with postings at RAAF Staff College; Air Force Office, Canberra; Commanding Officer of the Mirage Operational Conversion Course at Williamtown (1969-70); Senior Air Staff Officer, IADS at Butterworth, Malaysia (1971-72) and later Air Commodore, Butterworth, 1979-83. Having served as Honorary ADC to two Govenors- General (Kerr and Cowen), and reached the rank of Air Vice Marshall, Reynolds retired from the RAAF in November 1985.

Mk VIII flying goggles attached to a Type C helmet
Worn by Flying Officer Peter Charles Firkins during his service with 460 Squadron, RAAF. Firkins was In 1943, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served as an NCO rear gunner with 460 Squadron, RAAF. He had completed his tour of twenty-nine operations and received his commission before he turned nineteen.

British type C flying helmet : Flying Officer G G Richard, RAAF

Richard enlisted in the RAAF in 1941, not long after his 20th Birthday and qualified for flight training on 29 April 1942 and was promoted to leading aircraftman. Richard's next posting was to 10 Elementary Flying Training School at Temora, NSW where he learned to fly Tiger Moth aircraft.

Richard was then sent to Canada for further training. He was posted to 4 Service Flying Training School where he learned to fly Cessna Crane aircraft. The winter weather made flying difficult, but Richard enjoyed the challenge. He celebrated his 21st birthday during this time and celebrated with a group of fellow trainees. He completed his pilot trainingand was promoted to temporary sergeant pilot

Richard left Canada in1943, arriving in England he was posted to 15 Advanced Flying Unit flying Airspeed Oxford and Avro Anson aircraft. 21 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was his next posting, where he converted to flying Vickers Wellington III bombers. During this period, Richard was promoted to temporary flight sergeant.

He finished his conversion course and was seconded to the RAF. He was commissioned as a pilot officer and sent to 40 Squadron in April 1944. He arrived in Egypt in May and flew 40 operations in Vickers Wellington X aircraft from bases in Egypt and Italy. On 1 September, Richard was posted to Shallufa, Egypt where he underwent a flying instructor's course. He was then posted to 77 Operational Training Unit where he instructed crews in night bombing operations.

Richard was promoted to flying officer on 16 October. He remained with 77 OTU until 20 February 1945. Operational and training flights had been wound up in the region at this time, and Richard remained in Egypt for several more months until he could obtain passage home to Australia. He returned to Australia in October and was discharged on 4 November 1945.

 

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Leather flying helmet : Lieutenant W C Thompson, 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Worn by Lieutenant William Charles Thompson of 'C' Flight, 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC). He enlisted in the AFC on 2 February 1916 as an air mechanic No 325 and was posted to 'C' Flight, No 1 Squadron. He sailed from Melbourne on 16 March 1916 on the troopship RMS Orsova arriving in Egypt on 14 April 1916. On 25 September 1916 he was promoted to 1st Air Mechanic. On 29 November 1917, Thompson began training as a pilot flying DH6, AVRO, BE2E, BE2C, RE8, Martinsyde and Bristol Fighter aircraft. He graduated as a pilot on 25 January 1918 and was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Further training with the School of Aerial Gunnery and the Aerial Observation School followed and he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 25 April 1918 and finally finishing his training on 5 June 1918. Thompson returned to 1 Squadron AFC on 15 June 1918 where he continued to fly Bristol Fighters. He was engaged in patrol, reconnaissance, escort, bombing and despatches in places such as Kutrani, Biara, Waddy Fara and Haifa. Thompson ceased flying on 15 January 1919 and he returned to Australia shortly afterwards. Thompson is mentioned in Vol. VIII AFC, The Official History of Australia for his efforts on an escort and reconnaissance mission on 14 August 1918.

Mk 1 leather flying goggles
Triplex Goggle Mask & Lens Co Ltd
Lieutenant W C Thompson, 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps

Type B flying helmet : Flight Lieutenant D Rees, 460 Squadron, RAAF
Maker: Lasica's Australia 1941
Daniel Rees enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1941 He trained under the Empire Air Training Scheme, graduating as a Sergeant Pilot. In June 1942 he was posted to the United Kingdom where he trained on Wellingtons and Lancasters before joining 460 Squadron at Binbrook. On 12 August 1943 Rees piloted a Lancaster during a raid on Milan, withstanding severe engine failure to complete the mission and return the bomber and his crew to safety. The same month, during a raid on Peenemunde, his bomber was badly damaged by fighter attack. However, Rees was once again able to return to base. For these actions he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal which he received from King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 14 March 1944. He was later promoted to Pilot Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. He spent time during the remainder of the war instructing on Wellingtons and Lancasters, returning to Australia in January 1945. He then served in North-Western Western Australia flying transport aircraft and in 1946 served as Air Transport and Movement Officer in Iwakuni, Japan before his discharge from the RAAF on 31 October 1947.

Helmet bag
Used by Corporal Robert ‘Snow’ Clayton, 9 Squadron, RAAF. Clayton served in Vietnam as an electrician, trained as a flight fitter. Clayton was often required to travel by helicopter on detachment and wore the f and helmet on these occasions. The helmet was actually assembled from parts by 9 Squadron’s Radio Section for Clayton’s use, and was stored in this carry bag. The bag - a very simple affair compared to the standard issue - also appears to have been made by the squadron. Clayton served in Vietnam from 25 February to 8 December 1971.

Battle damaged earphone : Flying Officer D F B Sheen, RAAF
This earphone was worn by Flight Lieutenant Desmond Frederick Burt Sheen as part of a Type 'B' flying helmet during air operations along the coast of Scotland. On 7 December 1939 he engaged a formation of seven German Heinkel He111 bombers and was wounded in the ear and thigh by return fire from the bombers.
After leaving school in 1932 Sheen served in the public service until he was old enough to apply for a cadetship with the Royal Australian Air Force. Travelling to England in 1937 he was commissioned in the Royal Air Force. With the outbreak of the Second World War Sheen began flying operations off the coast of the United Kingdom with 72 Squadron RAF.

In April 1940 Sheen joined the Photographic Development Unit (PDU) and flew photo reconnaissance missions over Italy. He also served with 212 Squadron, RAF in a similar capacity in France prior to and during the German invasion. After the fall of France, Sheen continued to serve with the PDU until the end of July 1940 when he returned to 72 Squadron in time to fight in the Battle of Britain.

Shot down twice during the Battle of Britain, Sheen accounted for three enemy aircraft destroyed, one shared and two damaged. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1940 and a bar to the award on 21 October 1941.

Sheen ultimately received command of 72 Squadron and led the unit in offensive sweeps over occupied Europe. Subsequently, he held staff appointments and station commands in Britain and in the Middle East. After the war Sheen remained in the RAF until his retirement in 1971. He died in 2001.

 

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Flying helmet with gosport tubes : Flying Officer J J Allen RAAF
Maker: Hegaro London 1940
Associated with the service of Flying Officer John James Allen. . Prior to his military service, Allen worked as a Jackeroo in Queensland. He joined the Militia in 1939 serving with 26 Battalion and enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in December of 1940. Allen attained the rank of Flying Officer in March 1942 while attached to No.41 Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF) who were flying the famous Supermarine Spitfire. Flying Officer Allen was killed in an aircraft accident in Breighton, Yorkshire, England on 20 June 1942. He is buried at Holme-Upon-Spalding Moor (All Saints) Churchyard in Yorkshire.

British issue brown leather Type C wired flying helmet complete with Type 21 microphone assembly, earphones, communications cord, and E* oxygen mask.
Associated with the service of Alan Wollaston Bowman, He served in the Militia as a gunner with the 42nd Battery, Australian Field Artillery from 1934 to 1939. Aged 24, Bowman enlisted as an airman in the RAAF in 1940. After initial training at Bradfield Park, he continued training at 8 Elementary Flying School, Narrandera, New South Wales, where he was mustered as a pilot. Due to the unauthorised absence of his instructor, Bowman was unable to complete his training to qualify as a pilot and was remustered as a navigator. He travelled to Canada in March 1941 for further training as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS).

Bowman was commissioned on 15 September 1941 and appointed pilot officer. In October he travelled to the United Kingdom and spent several months in an operational training unit before being posted to 455 Squadron, RAAF in March 1942. The squadron was equipped with Handley Page Hampden medium bombers and initially joined RAF Bomber Command, later transferring to Coastal Command in late April.

The role of Coastal Command was to protect British naval supply lines and convoys from attack by German warships, U-boats and aircraft as well as carrying out offensive attacks on German shipping. 455 Squadron's Hampdens were converted to torpedo bombers and undertook anti-shipping attacks off the Norwegian Coast from their base at Leuchars in Scotland.

In early September Bowman was posted to Russia when the squadron was deployed as part of Operation Orator to protect convoy PQ 18 which was expected to come under enemy attack. The convoy consisted of 40 merchant vessels carrying essential supplies through the Arctic from Scotland to Archangel in Russia.

On 14 September Bowman was aboard one of 23 Hampdens which conducted a reconnaissance mission over the Barents Sea looking for the German battleship Tirpitz which was believed to be in the area and posed a threat to the safety of the convoy. The Tirpitz was not sighted but the convoy was attacked by the Luftwaffe and U-boats and 13 merchant vessels were lost.

455 Squadron remained at their base at Vaenga near Murmansk in northern Russia for several weeks. Located only 50 kilometres from the eastern front the area was a frequent target for air attacks. On 27 September two Junkers Ju88 aircraft bombed the airfield. A patrolling Russian Yak fighter dived from 9000 feet to intercept them and anti aircraft batteries opened fire. A shell hit the Yak blowing off its tail and forcing the pilot to bail out and parachute to safety. The aircraft crashed into the three storey RAAF officers barracks which caught on fire. Luckily, no one was injured as upon hearing the approaching aircraft, those inside fled to a nearby shelter. Bowman, who was doing his laundry at the time, later retrieved a flattened bucket and his damaged towel from beneath the wreckage.

The RAF decided that 455 Squadron would hand over its Hampden's to the Russians and Bowman returned to Scotland aboard HMS Argonaut on 29 October. The squadron was re-equipped with Hampdens and resumed anti shipping operations from Leuchars in December. Bowman was posted to 1 Torpedo Training Unit on 20 February 1943. He completed a staff navigator's course and went on serve in the Middle East with 294 Squadron RAF and 78 Operational Training Unit. Bowman returned to Australia at the end of 1944 and served as a navigation instructor at Bairnsdale, Victoria. He was discharged from the RAAF on 17 October 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Maker Lasica's Australia
Date made c 1935-1942
The Australian pattern flying helmet was based on the British type 'B' general purpose helmet, first issued in 1935 and superceded in 1942. This type of helmet was mainly used for low level open cockpit aircraft such as the Tiger Moth or Hawker Demon and was superceded by the type 'C' helmet.

 

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Maker Gentex Corporation, USA
Place made United States of America
Date made c 1970

APH-4 Flight Helmet : Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) A J R Curran, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam

Associated with the service of R39867 Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) Andrew John Roper Curran, RAN. During his first operational deployment he served as a Naval Air Mechanic in Korean waters from 27 October 1953 until 2 June 1954 as a member of 805 Squadron serving aboard HMAS Sydney III.

Curran's second operational deployment was to Vietnam on 9 September 1970. He was a part of the fourth and final Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam contingent to serve with the Combined US Army and RAN 135th Assault Helicopter Company. The 135th AHC consisted of two troop carrying flights and a gunship flight known as the 'Taipans'. It was with this flight that Curran served as a crew chief/ gunner and held the American rank of sergeant.

He was awarded a United States Air Medal for his actions in assisting in the rescue of a downed helicopter crew during an operation in the U Minh Forest, An Xuyen Province. The crew of the helicopter were surrounded by Viet Cong forces and the pilot of Curran's helicopter flew to assist. Upon arrival over the area, Curran provided accurate suppressing fire, which allowed the downed crew to be rescued by another nearby helicopter.

During February 1971 he was presented with the American Purple Heart for wounds received in action. When it was later found that he was not an American citizen the award was cancelled. He received a Naval Board Commendation for his service from the RAN.

Curran and the other Australians serving with the 135th AHC ceased combat action on 8 June as part of the withdrawal of Australian troops from the war in Vietnam. They returned to Australia on 16 June. Curran retired from the RAN in 1974.

SPH-4 flying helmet

Maker Gentex Corporation, USA
Place made United States of America
Date made 1971

Type of flying helmet worn by the RAAF, RAN and army and United States Air Force (USAF) flying personnel during the Viet Nam war,

APH-5A flying helmet : Corporal R Clayton, 9 Squadron, RAAF
Viet Nam 1971

 

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Australian made leather flying helmet
Maker Stagg Leathergoods
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made c 1930s-1940s
Stagg helmets are thought to have been worn by RAAF aircrew in Malaya circa 1941-42.

The Type 'C' unwired leather flying helmet was used by RAF and RAAF aircrew in temperate and cold climates during the period 1941-1945. It was progressively replaced by modernised versions (circa 1944 onwards) manufactured with an internal wiring loom for radio receivers and a built-in microphone plug connector on the left hand side.

Type B brown leather flying helmet
Maker Frank Bryan Limited, London & Worcester
Place made United Kingdom: England
Date made 1940

RAF Type D tropical issue blue cotton drill flying helmet : Pilot Officer J Kevin RAAF

Worn by Pilot Officer Jeff Kevin, RAAF, who flew Hurricane 2D and Thunderbolt P47 aircraft in Burma with 258 Squadron RAF from 1942-1945. The donor states that the cotton drill helmet was ideal in the tropical climate, particularly on the squadron's hot, low level, army support operations. This type of helmet was a scarce issue item.

RAF Mark VIII flying goggles
Worn by Pilot Officer Jeff Kevin, RAAF,

 

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MS22001 oxygen mask with British Type G helmet : Air Commodore J C Thorp, RAAF
Maker Air Ministry, MSA
Place made United Kingdom, United States of America
Date made c 1956
United States Air Force MS22001 oxygen mask attached to a British Type G helmet.

This item is associated with the service of Air Commodore John Charles Thorp.Heenlisted for service in October 1942 . Initially serving as a navigator with 550 Squadron, by the end of the Second World War, Thorp had attained the rank of flight lieutenant. Remaining with the RAAF after the war, in 1952 he flew out the second Canberra Bomber aircraft from Farnborough, England to Melbourne, Victoria in 23 hours and five minutes, breaking the record for flying time. He went on to serve as an air commodore and was discharged on 2 February 1977.

 

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Leather flying helmet ww1
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1916-1918

 

[Steve27752]

What can i say but, WOW!. Thank you for posting all of these pics. It is nice to have the background story with them.

 

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British Type G oxygen mask with Type 26 microphone : Sergeant R Cowley, RAAF, 218 Squadron, RAF
This leather flying helmet and oxygen mask was worn by Sergeant Robert 'Alf' Cowley of Queensland during his service with 218 Squadron, RAF. Having served with the 2/2 Anti Tank Regiment, 7th Australian Division in Syria during 1941 in action against the Vichy French, Cowley decided to join the RAF in September 1942 and flew Lancasters with this squadron until the end of the war. The Type 'G' oxygen mask entered RAF service in 1943. Its main advantage over earlier masks was in the channeling of cool fresh oxygen into the upper part, while carrying warm exhaled air out at the bottom. Together with the new chamois lined rubber construction, this largely alleviated the condensation problems experienced with earlier masks. The Type 'G' was extensively used by RAF and RAAF aircrew for the remainder of the war, and remained in service well afterwards.

British Type C flying helmet : Sergeant H J Erb, 460 Squadron RAAF
He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 8 November 1941 and trained as an air gunner. He was posted to 460 Squadron, RAAF, as a mid-upper gunner in Avro Lancaster bombers. During an operation over Dortmund on May 23, 1943, Sergeant Erb's flying helmet was struck by a splinter from a German flak burst near his turret. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his forehead and other scars were caused to the helmet by Perspex splinters. Later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after completing a second tour of operations with 467 Squadron, RAAF, he finished the war with the rank of flying officer, and was discharged from the air force in October 1945.

 

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Type B flying helmet : Flight Lieutenant D Rees, 460 Squadron, RAAF
Maker Lasica's Australia
Place made Australia
Date made c 1941
He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1941. He trained under the Empire Air Training Scheme, graduating as a Sergeant Pilot. In June 1942 he was posted to the United Kingdom where he trained on Wellingtons and Lancasters before joining 460 Squadron at Binbrook. On 12 August 1943 Rees piloted a Lancaster during a raid on Milan, withstanding severe engine failure to complete the mission and return the bomber and his crew to safety. The same month, during a raid on Peenemunde, his bomber was badly damaged by fighter attack. However, Rees was once again able to return to base. For these actions he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal which he received from King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 14 March 1944. He was later promoted to Pilot Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. He spent time during the remainder of the war instructing on Wellingtons and Lancasters, returning to Australia in January 1945. He then served in North-Western Western Australia flying transport aircraft and in 1946 served as Air Transport and Movement Officer in Iwakuni, Japan before his discharge from the RAAF on 31 October 1947.

Mk IIIA flying goggles : Flight Lieutenant D Rees, 460 Squadron, RAAF
Place made Australia
Date made November 1940

Pair of gloves : Flight Lieutenant D Rees, 460 Squadron, RAAF
Maker Gloria Gloves
Place made Australia
Date made c 1940
The left glove has a maker's label sewn inside the wrist which reads 'GLORIA Gloves MADE IN AUSTRALIA AND PROUD OF IT