Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a wonderful World War Two Royal Air Force brown leather chamois-lined flying helmet with elastic snap chinstrap. This fine example comes with front goggle straps and features an elastic chinstrap and a built in clip on the right side to accommodate the oxygen mask attachment hook.
Overall condition is nice, though it does show wear from use and age, especially on the interior. The elastic in the chin strap still works. There are markings in the left ear interior, though they are difficult to read. Exterior leather is in good service worn condition.
The goggles are classic A-N 6530 goggles. AN-6530 Goggles were produced during World War II as eye protection for United States Army and Navy flight crews. In 1943, the AN-6530 design replaced as standard the nearly identical USAAF B-7 goggle produced by Chas Fischer Spring Company of Brooklyn, New York. Contracts for AN-6530 goggles were awarded to Chas Fischer Spring Co. and American Optical.
The AN-6530’s frame is nickel-plated brass and steel. Construction consists of stamped and milled pieces, soldered together. Milled brass pieces form the bridge and ferrule/strap lugs, and pieces of stamped sheet steel form the frame to hold the facepad and lenses. The ferrule / strap lugs are split lengthwise to facilitate removal and insertion of the lenses and rubber facepad. The lugs are secured closed by a salt-blued or parkerized and knurled carbon steel ferrule. Unfortunately the leather has been removed and the right lens is cracked.
Overall a fantastic authentic WWII Royal Air Force pilot flying set offered in very good condition!