Original Item: Only One Available. The famous net-top helmet proved popular with Luftwaffe pilots as it was designed for comfort and without the restriction of a chinstrap. This classic mesh flying helmet which has become synonymous with Luftwaffe fighter pilots in WW2. This example has a manufacturers label coded hdc indicating it was produced by the firm of Luftfahrtgeraetewerk Hakenfelde GmbH, Berlin-Spandau and the size given but hard to read but its approximately a large size 59. Overall condition is very good to excellent. This example features dark leather receiver cups and provision for the Luftwaffe later variant with attachment points for 3-strap oxygen masks.
The throat microphones are marked Mi4b and Ln 26779-2 meaning the avionics are comprised of oval Mi4b magnetic type throat microphones with four-pole break coupling/plug. The helmet carries the short communication cord favored by fighter pilots and is fitted with a plug that is nicely marked BLK v F 127560.
Minor scattered paint chipping on the frames, oxidation evident on the nose bridge, the rubber still pliable and excellent condition. Near extremely fine overall condition.
Early First World War pilots in military aircraft soon discovered that appropriate protective flight goggles were a necessity, due to the cold, sun glare and the all too frequent occurrence of oil leaking into the slipstream and covering the pilot. Originally the German military was caught unprepared and no specific protective goggles for pilots were available, which resulted in the pilots utilizing commercially produced or captured enemy protective goggles. Early in the war, the Carl Zeiss optics firm of Jena developed specific protective flight goggles that became the standard pattern for other manufacturers. Further improvements and refinements of assorted protective flight goggles continued in the inter-war years and by the start of the Second World War, there were no fewer then nine types of protective flight goggles available and nine main manufacturers including, Carl Zeiss, Ernst Leitz, Philip M. Winter, O.W. Wagner, Nitsche & Günther, Knothe, Cellowaro, Bauer, Uvex and Auer.
Overall a wonderful honest Luftwaffe fighter pilots helmet offered in very good complete condition.