Found in the dark

[jim murray]

At Beltring, 09 myself and paul were having a look around dealers stands ,after the general public have gone home. most dealers had packed up and left for the day, but the ones who camp on site were still open, we were looking over this stall, a mixed bag of equipment and repro things. at this stage it was getting dark and we were starting to get fed up and hungry, Paul picked up a worn LKp101 flying helmet with no electrics, like most items on the stand it was trashed, Paul then picked up a WWI brass shell case and noticed a net LKpN 101 flying helmet shoved inside it. When he pulled it out he saw that it was in near mint condition and a large size to boot. When examining it in more detail he realised that the leather was the very rare gray and not the usual dark brown, and to make matters even better he got it for at least €200.00 less than the going rate. What a find. Enjoy the photos.

[jim murray]

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[jim murray]

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[jim murray]

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[Andy F-P]

Jim,
This is a excellent example showing the very rare grey leather. It shows that it pays to look in every nook and krany at places like Beltring.
However, we are back to the old, "were these short electrics leads ever used pre-May 1945" discussion again.......
Best regards,
Andy

[RamJet]

Great find!

[JeremyJ]

helmet

Very nice congrats!!

Jeremy

[mjfur]

Jim,
This is a excellent example showing the very rare grey leather. It shows that it pays to look in every nook and krany at places like Beltring.
However, we are back to the old, "were these short electrics leads ever used pre-May 1945" discussion again.......
Best regards,
Andy

I know, digging up an old thread.

[Jos L C]

Nice cap, Jim.. about the picture I'm not sure, could also be a long cable which was put through the leather strap for the goggles, they sometimes did, so the cable wouldn't bother them while walking..
There is a picture though with a short cable, it was found in a Natter ..


Jos

[Paul Woodbyrne]

I actually own this flying helmet, the cord has always been like this and has never been adjusted post war ect. Their has been long discussions on this subject. My explanation among others that it makes sence to have the cable from the helmet as short as possible, because if you flex the cable every day after a short time you will get an internal break somewhere in the cable. So the solution is remove the whole communication wiring, or just get a cable extension and plug, an off you go. Their is a great photo of an me262 jet in a South African meusem. Looking into the cockpit you can clearly see a long lead pluged into the radio and this in-turn would run up to a short helmet lead. If the pilot had to bale out it would make sence than have 2 meters of cord flaying about. I dont think short cables are a war saving isue. On another note I would never purchase a s 100 or w100 helmet with short lead because this is nearly allways post war cut. This was not their original factory length when issued. On the other hand i have seen some cut as short as possible and i think again this is due to break in coms and can be fixed by exstionson lead. Just my thoughts on the short lead argument. Regards Paul.

[Paul Woodbyrne]

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[Paul Woodbyrne]

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[Paul Woodbyrne]

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[Paul Woodbyrne]

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[Paul Woodbyrne]

Picture of the long lead in the me626-A .You can see were it runs up the side of the seat. And the lower conection to the radio.