The Type B was introduced in 1936 and remained standard issue for RAF aircrew until 1941. It was constructed of dark brown leather, lined with chamois, and included a cotton padding between the two materials. Two leather straps with Bennet friction buckles, one under the chin and the other across the opening at the back, were intended to provide a secure and comfortable fit.
The helmet was issued unwired but came with a set of domed, zipped ear pieces, which were to be sewn on by competent RAF personnel and designed to receive Gosport tubes or radio telephone receivers. Large sponge rubber cup inserts and circular chamois pads inside the helmet helped to reduce noise level.
Oxygen masks (typically a Type D) or microphone carriers were attached to the helmet by means of two face protectors, i.e. strips of chamois-backed webbing with fitted snap fasteners. These strips, preventing frostbite by avoiding direct contact between the helmet’s metal studs and the wearer’s bare skin, were issued with the helmet and sewn onto the respective oxygen/communication equipment. The mask you see here is a reproduction made by SEFTON CO. in the UK. They also helped make the masks used in the latest remake of ‘Dunkirk’.
The goggles I am running on this particular setup are the model Mk IVB. Although various other models were used including the Mk III, and Mk VII.
