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RAF C-type Flying Helmet - Early (History)

Code: H19229

Stores ref. 22c/450. Size 2. (6^7/8 - 7). The leather is in excellent overall condition - clean, quite supple and showing only light use/wear. Fitted with 2 goggle straps. These are in good condition although one of the press studs lack most of the original coating. Good chinstrap complete with metal end tip. The Bennett buckle is also very good. The rubber receiver carriers are in good shape and remain flexible. Unusually the helmet has been fitted with bakelite 'Gosport' earpieces and these have been secured into position with adhesive fabric tape. Fairly light even soiling to the lining which has the original owner's name marked. Fitted with original 'flat hook' for oxygen mask use. Air Ministry King's Crown embossed marks on the chin tab and with stitched size label inside. Sold unwired but fitted with the Gosport earpieces and tubes as shown. This was sold by the daughter/grandson of the original owner, Matthew Leighton-Hall. The details regarding his wartime service are sketchy but he appears to have been with the Glider Pilot Regiment at some point but also flew with the RAF. It is believed he may have flown on the Varsity raid. Post war he flew with the Lakes Glider Club which he co-founded in 1956. A serious flying accident in the 1960s curtailed his flying but the club still awards a prize in his name, 'The Leighton-Hall Trophy', for the year's most outstanding flight. He died in 2001. Very good '+' used overall. Stock code H19229.