For sale is a rare 1940s WWII ARMY AIR FORCES PILOT LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET with an A-11 RADIO RECEIVERS constructed into the cap. This is a medium size leather helmet made by the parachute division of the Fox Chase Knitting Mills Corporation. This helmet has a gold stenciled Army Air Forces winged star insignia with gold letter text “ARMY AIR FORCES” marked on both the exterior and interior of the helmet. The helmet wool liner includes a tag which describes the helmet as Type A-11, Specification No. 3189, stock no. 8300-396015. The radio receivers over each ear are marked “RECIEVER AN B-H-1 made in the U.S.A. by Utah-Chicago” and has the original wiring. This amazing leather cap is in superb condition. This helmet has a brown cape leather exterior shell with black rubber earphone cups; a buckle chin strap; turn down brow flap; three brass snaps for oxygen mask located on the left and right chin of the helmet; leather buckle strap on the back nap of the helmet to adjust the helmet size; three leather straps on back of helmet to hold the flight goggle’s strap; and a double reinforced seam on each side of helmet. The sale of this cap includes the leather pilot helmet, original flight goggles, and a display stand. A museum quality military collectible.
The goggles included in the sale are original US ARMY AIR FORCES PILOT FLIGHT FLYING GOGGLES Model AN-6530. The googles are missing the green glass lens and the interior cushion on one of the lenses is in poor condition. The goggles’ canvas strap is original. The metal frame of the goggles is in great condition and is marked with the “AN-6530” model number.
The Type A-11 intermediate flying helmet was standardized on August 6, 1943 and became one of the most popular and widely utilized helmets during World War II. The rubber earphone mountings were designated for the Type ANB-H-1 radio receiver. The helmet remained in Air Force service during the Korean War.
