RARE Battle of Britain RAF Type B flight helmet size 4

RARE Battle of Britain RAF Type B flight helmet size 4 (image 1/4)
RARE Battle of Britain RAF Type B flight helmet size 4 (image 2/4)
RARE Battle of Britain RAF Type B flight helmet size 4 (image 3/4)
RARE Battle of Britain RAF Type B flight helmet size 4 (image 4/4)
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EXTREMELY RARE and highly sought after WWII RAF Type B flying helmet, classic Battle of Britain headgear. This is the only size 4 in my collection but I need to thin down and after much agonizing, this is the only one I will be offering for sale. Size 4 was the largest size made, equivalent of the US extra-large - and this is a big helmet. The leather is in very good condition, as is the chamois lining, though it is a little soiled inside. The helmet still has it's leather pullers on the zip fasteners on the ear cups, still has the metal tip on the chin strap, although the chin strap is a little stretched out. The diamond shaped silk manufacturer's label inside is worn and grubby, but enough of the orignal printing remains to be able to read that is is a B. Sterling, dated 1937 (nice early date) and is a size 4 (7-1/4 to 7-1/2). A lot of people like 1940 dated helmets being symbolic of the Battle of Britain - but the fact is this; new pilots were issued helmets when they started training, and since it took 2 years to train a fighter pilot, 1940 issue helmets probably didn't see active combat until late 1941 or even 1942. Personally I have always collected the early dates for this reason! 1937 issue means this helmet was being worn in a front line squadron by 1939 and 1940 when the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain took place. read more
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