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RAF C-type Flying Helmet - Early Pattern

SOLD

Code: H19230

Stores ref. 22c/450. Size 2. (6^7/8 - 7). The leather is in very good overall condition - clean, supple and having just a few small nicks and some surface lifting where the Air Ministry markings are stamped into the helmet (see photos). Fitted with 4 goggle straps. These are in good condition and the press studs retain most of the original coatings. 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's forehead panel has been painted/stainted red. Presumably for identification purposes. The lining has average soiling - more at the back of the neck as usual. Named to the original owner W/O (later Fl. Lt.) John ' Hamish' Metcalf RAFVR (143895) - also known as Jack Metcalf. He flew as an instructor with No.20 OTU , completing a very large number of flying hours and on several occasions, made successful emergency landings under conditions of bad weather and unserviceability of aircraft. In these trying circumstances he displayed great coolness, good judgement and gallantry. For this he was awarded the AFC. He also appears to have been awarded the DFM earlier in his RAF career but online details are sketchy. The helmet comes with some photocopied pages from the London Gazette. A nice helmet. Stock code H19230.