The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Luftwaffe LKp W101 brown leather fleece lined winter flying helmet. The helmet has a pair of leather cross-over chin straps which buckle at each cheek. There is a radio receiver at each ear, mounted in a soundproof rubber cup and covered with black leather. An overhanging lip at the top of each earpiece, and a pair of leather press-stud loops at the rear of the helmet, prevent goggles from slipping out of position. A metal hook beneath each earpiece and a wire loop on an adjustable elastic strap mounted above the forehead enable the 3-strap Luftwaffe oxygen mask (not present) to be attached. A slit on each side of the helmet at the rear above the neck contains a length of elastic retained by small external buttons to ensure a snug fit. Stitched to the rear lower neck of the helmet is a triangular leather strip, from the centre of which emerges the leather covered 5 cm communication lead, ending in a black plastic four-pin socket with the raised markings 'BLKmFl 27561'. The bottom of the triangular strip joins a chamois lined leather neck loop, adjustable by a pair of buckles, and fastened by a central press stud. A pair of plastic and bakelite throat microphones (with larynx contacts) marked 'Mi 4b Ln. 26779-2' are attached to the loop.
The LKp W101 and S101 flying helmets ('W' for winter and 'S' for summer wear) for aircrew positions requiring radio communication, were introduced into Luftwaffe service in 1938 as a replacement for the similar LKp 100 series helmets. The summer helmet was identical to the winter, except that it was made from a light brown fabric lined with green satin. A mesh version (the LKp N101 'Netzkopfhaube') for tropical conditions was also produced. The LKp 101 offered improvements over the older helmet in comfort, soundproofing (for the earpieces) and quality of electrical fittings. The design proved successful, and remained in use throughout the Second World War with only minor alterations, notably to the oxygen mask locators. Most of those produced had a long (1 metre) communication cable which plugged into the aircraft's intercom and radio system, the 5 cm length on this example indicating that it was probably manufactured late in the war.
Luftwaffe unlined cotton 'Sommerfliegerkombi' one-piece summerweight flying suit. The suit is made from heavy weight brown and white flecked 'salt and pepper' cotton, and features a long diagonal 66 c
Luftwaffe FK-34 summer weight flying helmet. The helmet is made of light brown flecked fabric lined with olive green cotton sateen, and has a pair of chamois lined leather cross-over chin straps which
British issue brown leather Type 'C' model 22C/878 internally wired flying helmet. The helmet has a blue webbing chin strap with a press stud fastener, and black rubber cups to protect the external ra
British issue brown leather Type 'C' unwired flying helmet complete with earphones, cord, plug and oxygen mask. The helmet has a brown leather chin strap with a 'Bennett' friction fastener, and black
British issue brown leather Type 'C' wired flying helmet complete with Mk VIII flying goggles (REL33109.002), earphones, communications cord and oxygen mask (REL33109.003). The helmet has a grey el
British issue brown leather Type 'C' internally wired flying helmet complete with earphones, cord and plug, as issued from 1944. The helmet has a blue webbing chin strap with a press stud fastener, an
Brown leather flying helmet with buckle chinstrap and small buckled loop on the rear to retain goggles. Inside the helmet, there are insulated circular leather earpads to reduce noise, and the brow se
