U.S. Air Service Western Electric Type 1-A Flying 1917 Patt U.S. Air Service Type 1-A Pilot’s Western Electric Leather Flying Helm Clothing

RARE, WW1 1917 Patt U.S. Air Service Type 1-A Pilot’s Western Electric Leather Flying Helmet To Jack Mayer Of The 88th Aero Flying Squadron. Sn 16179:1 - 16179:1

This is an excellent original WWI U.S. Air Service Western Electric Type 1-A Flying Helmet. The Western Electric Type 1-A was the first helmet to incorporate radio telephone communication equipment and saw limited use at the end of the war. The russet brown leather helmet is lined in flannel and laces in the back for a snug fit. The crown of the helmet is also fitted with a strap and buckle for further adjustment. There are leather housings for earphones mounted on each side (earphones lacking). An original label mounted on the inside reads "Western Electric Co. Inc. / No. 1-A Helmet / Large Size". The lining has contemporary ink handwriting ‘Jack Mayer 88 Aero Sqd’ ( The 88th Aero served on the Western Front, France: 24 May-11 November 1918, performed : Sorties 1,028,Combat missions: 557,Enemy combats: 13,Killed: 3 pilots, 3 observers,Wounded: 1 pilot, 6 observers, Missing: 3 observers (POW),Aircraft lost: 46, Victories Enemy aircraft shot down: 4 Enemy balloons shot down: 0,Total enemy aircraft destroyed: 4). The helmet is clean and undamaged. It fits approx. UK head size 7. The price for this rare to find WW1 pilots helmet worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 16179:1

£575.00