Which oxygen mask for my flight helmet ?

[Renaud]

Hello

which type of oxygen mask should I find for this first pattern type C flight helmet ? I've looked for the info but two variants came to me : E type and G type oxygen masks.

Thank you

[juvatwad]

You will need the wiring loom for it all to display correctly, but either E (super rare), E*, or G types will work.

Ian

[Seigfried]

You will need the wiring loom for it all to display correctly, but either E (super rare), E*, or G types will work.

Ian

My sentiments exactly - although I think that you will find a G easier to find than a E/E*. Nice early C helmet BTW.

[BrentNunns]

It has been more than a few years since I did my own research on flight helmets and oxygen masks, so quite happy to be corrected.

It is my understanding that the easy way to identify the early 1942 ‘C’ Type helmet (First issue) from the late 1942 pattern ‘C’ Type helmet, is that the early type had opposing goggle straps (The front side strap secured downward and the rear side strap secured upward)

Your photo shows both goggle straps secure in the downward position, which suggests to me that it is the late 1942 pattern ‘C’ Type helmet.

If it is the early 1942 ‘C’ Type helmet, then yes only the Type ‘E’ and ‘G’ oxygen masks would be recommended.

If it is the late 1942 pattern ‘C’ Type helmet, then I would think that the Type ‘E,’ ‘F’ and ‘G’ oxygen masks would be ok.

Brent

[juvatwad]

Early= external wiring loom

Late= internally wired

Ian

[BrentNunns]

Early= external wiring loom

Late= internally wired

Ian

As in late= internally wired, are we talking zip earphone covers as on the 1942 pattern Navy 'C' Type?
Or have I got it completely wrong.

Brent

[JUBILEE42]

Early= external wiring loom

Late= internally wired

Ian

+1

E or E* oxygen mask (with MKVII goggles...) imho.

Pics from a RCAF "Dieppe" fighter (August 42) with early C type flight helmet w/"special" external wiring combo & E* oxygen mask.

Hope this helps,
Thierry

[LuftMike]

Wow Thierry, nice setup! how 'bout a few shots of the whole thing??

[JUBILEE42]

Here is the whole "thing"... F.J "Jimmy" Champlin 414 sqdn RCAF - Dieppe 08/19/1942 (the 4 pockets jacket behind is his original service dress from Dieppe)

[Renaud]

Thank you all for your inputs and Thierry for these nice items ; it's funny that my helmet is from an RCAF guy too. So, we are not 100% certain that it is an early one ? I had heard that two external straps was for early examples, only one for the late ones. The helmet came with Mk VIII goggles but I don't know if they are from the same man.

[juvatwad]

An internally wired helmet has the wires for the earphones and microphone plug inside the lining of the helmet. The mask will have a microphone with a short cord that plugs into the helmet. An early, externally wired helmet is as you see above. The receivers and microphone are hard wired together, and all wiring is exposed.

Ian

[Renaud]

An internally wired helmet has the wires for the earphones and microphone plug inside the lining of the helmet. The mask will have a microphone with a short cord that plugs into the helmet. An early, externally wired helmet is as you see above. The receivers and microphone are hard wired together, and all wiring is exposed.

Ian

So it is the case for mine

[SprogCollector]

There were quite a few variations to the Type C helmet over its service life:
-- Leather chinstrap w/Bennett buckle vs elasticated chinstrap (early vs late);
-- externally vs internally attached receiver cups (early vs late)
-- external vs internal wiring (early vs late);
-- four goggle straps vs two (early vs late);
-- absence or presence of loom retention snaps (early vs late);
-- absence or presence of loom retaining straps on the back of the helmet (early vs late).

JUBILEE42: great display!! Do you know why the F/Sgt crown is present on this Pilot Officer battledress blouse?

New Kid: Very nice early helmet!

[Renaud]

There were quite a few variations to the Type C helmet over its service life:
-- Leather chinstrap w/Bennett buckle vs elasticated chinstrap (early vs late);
-- externally vs internally attached receiver cups (early vs late)
-- external vs internal wiring (early vs late);
-- four goggle straps vs two (early vs late);
-- absence or presence of loom retention snaps (early vs late);
-- absence or presence of loom retaining straps on the back of the helmet (early vs late).

JUBILEE42: great display!! Do you know why the F/Sgt crown is present on this Pilot Officer battledress blouse?

New Kid: Very nice early helmet!

Thank you very much for that informations ; I just don't understand what are the loom retention snaps and straps ? So mine has not them ?

[JUBILEE42]

"JUBILEE42: great display!! Do you know why the F/Sgt crown is present on this Pilot Officer battledress blouse?"

Hi,

The Fl/Sgt crown was on this 1942 dated (English made) RCAF Fl/Lnt battle dress when i get it and i just left it on...there's no trace of Fl/Sgt rank previously sewed under the crown and that one is only on right sleeves (nothing on left, no hole, no rank trace...). There's is also a "fancy" detail added to the collar point (left only) which is a "Canadian Volunteer service medal" mapple leaf clasp pined on...an Officer fantasy !?!

Thierry