British Type C flying helmet : Royal Australian Air Force

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 radio receivers, which are absent. Below the rubber cups on the left hand side of the helmet are three chromed metal snap fasteners to receive the Type 'E*' (E Star) oxygen mask. On the right is a wide built-in metal oxygen mask hook, enabling the Type 'G' oxygen mask to be used. At the rear of the helmet is a single buckle strap and two brown leather snap fastening tabs to secure the flying goggle straps. Below the right hand rubber cup is a stamp reading '22c/878'. Internally, the helmet is chamois lined and has chamois ear pads to reduce external noise. There is a brown velveteen sweat absorbing panel at the brow and at the ends of the chinstraps. Openings exist at the rear of the helmet for the internal wiring loom, which is not fitted.

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.