home   |   helmets   |   masks   |   flight gear   |   guides   |   collections   |   articles   |   pictures   |   links   |   forum   |   contact us   |   disclaimer


 
RAF helmets 
 
by: Mart Aviation

The Mk.1A was issued in the early 1950`s and was the first RAF helmet with a fixed visor, the visor locked at various positions and was issued in various tints from clear to dark tinted. The RAF Mk.1A Flying Helmet superseded the Mk.1, this having a separate visor fitted by elastic straps. The Mk.1A was originally used by all front line pilots flying rotary & fixed wing aircraft, this included subsonic & supersonic aircraft, everything from early Hunters to Lightning's and continued in limited use until the late 70`s and finally used by training squadrons (EFTS/UAS) until the late 80`s. Although designed to be used with the G-Type Helmet and H-Type oxygen-mask, the helmet was also used with the A-13 oxygen-mask & later the P-Type oxygen-mask. This later usage with the P-Type mask caused wear & tear problems to the helmet edge roll due to the protruding P-type mask fittings abrasing the helmet leather lining & rubber edge trim. The Mk.1A was originally issued in a silver colored shell, but later examples were issued in matt Green or Grey. The helmet is leather lined with a non-adjustable webbing harness.


Mk.1A


Mk.2

The Mk.2 & 2A flying helmets take the place of the flying helmet G Type and the protective helmet Mk.1A and provide the same facilities as these separate in a single headpiece. In addition they have retractable
anti-glare visors and blast screens which shut automatically in the event of an ejection.  The Mk.2 and Mk.2A helmets are basically the same; the Mk.2A, however incorporates some minor modifications.  The
Mk.2A has a friction clutch adjustment on the visor mechanism and has an operating handle bar of modified shape.  Mk.2 and Mk.2A that where used in the Royal Navy had a cross of adhesive reflective tape across the top of the shell for improved recognition purposes.  The helmet shell is made of a glass fibre resinate with locally formed lobes to accommodate the earphone receivers and microphone connector plug respectively.  The Mk.2 and Mk.2A helmets were originally provided with a light plastic
shroud which protected the visor when in the raised position but this was removed due to head space limitations within cockpits.  Unique to the Mk.2 & 2A flying helmets was the visor operating mechanism.  The visor screen is connected to pivoting arms on each side of the helmets and is raised and lowered by use of a handle bar.  The handle bar is spring loaded so when it is used to lower or raise the visor it never
comes within the view of the user.


Mk.3B

The Mk.3A/B flying helmets were Royal Air Force issue from the early 1970`s and superseded the G-Type/Mk.1A combination and Mk.2 & 2A flying helmets and were used by all front line pilots flying rotary & fixed wing aircraft, this included subsonic & supersonic aircraft, everything from early Hunters to Lightning's. The Mk.3A was fitted with a boom mike for helicopter and light aircraft applications and  Mk.3B had Oxygen-Mask hooks for use with the P/Q-Type oxygen-mask, both have the same internal specifications as the Mk.3C flying helmet. The Mk.3A/B helmet has a single visor which locks in various positions on the center rail, these visors were issued in various tints from clear to dark tinted and were eventually superseded by the twin visor Mk.3C helmet


Mk.3C

The Mk.3C supersedes the Mk.1A/G also the MK.2A & 3A/B type helmets & will cover in one basic design a helmet for aircrews concerned with low & high altitude (rotary & fixed wing) with or without ejection seats. The rigid outer shell of molded glass fibre resinate is provided with a lining of shock absorbing cork. An internal cradle of nylon webbing minimizes the transmitted force & distributes it over as large an area of the head as possible. The soft comfortable padded lining is replaceable & its attachment to the shell forms a windproof seal, which together with the chinstrap, visor & oxygen mask ensures security of the helmet under severe blast conditions. The attachment of lining to shell is so contrived that the lining can be removed either for replacement or for access to the avionics equipment or other interior fittings. A single miniature telephone No.13775 feeds the signal via sound tubes to acoustically designed ear capsules, the capsules on an adjustable light spring wire suspension can be held away from the face when donning the helmet but seal snugly on the head when tensioned by the chin & neck strap. The telephone is fully tropicalised & wound to give impedance of 300 OHMS. & DC. resistance of 105 OHMS. The microphone plug is conveniently situated low down on the cheek & accepts the standard socket ref. 10H/14207. Headset seals & cable assembly are all-replaceable either complete or as separate items. The oxygen mask attachment hooks are designed for use with a chain toggle harness MK.5 as on the P & Q type masks. (The P & Q types are identical in design & differ in size of facepiece, Q being smaller). These attachments are fully adjustable; the knurled adjusters are immediately behind the fitting hooks. The Mk.3C Helmet has a double visor system with a side mounted polycarbonate inner visor for blast & bird strike debris & an outer independently positioned anti-glare visor, both superimposed on common pivots. A side mounted locking device holds down the inner blast visor. The Mk.3A/B helmet has a single visor that locks in various positions on the centre rail, these visors were issued in various tints from clear to dark tinted.

The Mk.4A Flying Helmet is current Royal Air Force / Royal Navy / Army Air corps issue and superseded the Mk.3C helmet in the 1980`s. The shell is made of glass fibre impregnated with polyester resin and lined with shock absorbing expanded polystyrene, the interior is fitted with a multi-point adjustable webbing harness system with adjustable independently suspended earcups. The helmet has a locking clear inner blast visor and a friction mounted outer tinted visor with a detachable cloth visor cover, avionics consist of twin 300ohm speakers giving an impedance of 150 ohm (1khz) terminating with a 18" downlead and single pin NATO jackplug, mounting blocks allow the fitting of hooks for the P or Q type oxygen mask. The Mk.4A has locating holes allowing the fitting of RAF or similar Boom Mikes.


Mk.4A

The Alpha MK.10 was first issued to the Royal Air Force in the late 1980`s and was not a general aircrew issue, these advanced helmets were initially used by selected squadrons only and are still now only in limited use. The helmet shell is made of lightweight Kevlar® and glass fibre resinate lined with impact attenuating foam with an adjustable leather lining, neck and earcup fittings. These MK.10 variants are fitted with the "INFINITE LOCKING" visor system that allows either visor to be locked independently in any position. The avionics consist of twin 300 ohm speakers giving an impedance of 150 ohm (1khz) terminating with a 18" downlead and single pin NATO jackplug, mounting blocks allow the fitting of hooks for the P or Q type oxygen mask.


Mk.10

The Alpha Mk.10B superseded the Mk.10 Helmet and although the Kevlar® helmet shell was the same, the leather lining was substituted with impact attenuating foam linings and a padded neck protector. These helmets are fitted with the "LO-PRO" visor system that allows either visor to be operated and locked down independently, external "EARS" were fitted to eliminate the levers becoming obstructed. Avionics consist of twin 300ohm speakers giving an impedance of 150 ohm (1khz) terminating with a 18" downlead and single pin NATO jackplug, mounting blocks allow the fitting of hooks for the P or Q type oxygen mask.


Mk.10B

The ALPHA 700 is the top of the range RAF Flying helmet and like all ALPHA helmets is constructed of glass fibre coated Kevlar, and while being similar to a MK.10B helmet these "ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT 700" variants differ by shape and construction. The external "EARS" are more contoured and are solid as opposed to soft and unpainted as on the MK.10B. The interior is modified allowing easier earcup access and removal these being attached by Velcro to the suspension harness instead of being attached by straps as on the 10B, internal padding is also lighter and more sophisticated. The "LOW-PRO" visor system allows either visor to be lowered and locked independently. The avionics consist of twin 300-ohm speakers giving impedance of 150 ohm (1khz) terminating with an 18" downlead and single pin NATO jackplug. These Fighter Aircraft variants are fitted with the latest issue Quick Release oxygen-mask connectors and are complete with compatible P-Type oxygen mask and fittings. 


ALPHA 700

Note: We would like to thank Mart Aviation for this article. 

 

© "Venz" /  "Hud"  flightgear on-line 2002/2003