SSK-90 Fliegerstalhelm - Used by jet pilots?

[Maple Creek]

I recently picked up a Luftwaffe anti-flak helmet (SSK-90 Fliegerstalhelm) and have been doing some research on this type. In Floyd Tubb's book it is identified as a jet pilot's helmet. Baer and other sources describe it as a Luftwaffe antiflak helmet issued briefly in May 1941. This latter identification seems to be the current concensus. Here's my question... Is there any factual basis for the early collectors' designation of this as a jet pilot's helmet, or is this just pure collectors myth? It seems logically plausable and Tubbs and others may have have had some reason for calling this a jet pilot's helmet. Any thoughts?

[mjfur]

helmet

I have hundreds of books on the Luftwaffe and have never seen a jet pilot wearing an SSK 90.
They may be out there, I just can't find one.

Regards,
Mike

[pfschgo]

Check out Mick Prodgers "Luft vs RAF". He addresses the subject.
Paul

[Gene]

It was a short-lived helmet used by bomber crews.

[Kurt Meyer]

Here is some info :

http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Luftw...os/L17152.html

Cheers Kurt.

[frank savage]

Ssk90

...only the best way to sell the helmet...
with the same reason the sellers say that all lw stuff belong to the fallschirmjeager and all Km gear became from the submarine.

It born as anti-crash helmet, and write off because its bulky and weight. The pilots and air crew prefear the steel helmet without liner, as the period photos tell.
Any Me 262 pilot photo with the SSK90 is know. For me, anyway!

cheers, frank

[Maple Creek]

"Jet Pilot's Helmet"

Kurt, Frank, Mike,

Thanks for your assessment. That's about what I thought - no evidence that this helmet was used by jet pilots. Still it's an interesting an rare thing. Heavy too!

It's interesting how the "jet pilot's helmet" myth became entrenched.

Kurt, I checked the link to the Collector's Guild and just glanced through it. I hadn't seen this site before, but it seems to offer a large number of very nice, original items. Thanks for the tip.