Posted 10 years ago
OCAD
(17 items)
This is a Mk.II British helmet with the Mk.I lining, named to a Flt. Sgt of the RAF Medical Branch. The owner was commissioned at the end of WWII and remained with the Royal Air Force until the late 1960s.
Original RAF helmets are indeed rare and this one especially so as it is named and researched. The shell has been hand painted grey over its original factory issue khaki and the betrays the marking of FAP, (First Aid Post), under the grey paint. No doubt the owner served at an Aerodrome.
beautiful:)!
I don't think it's a Mk1*, they were WW1 helmets refurbished in 37-39ish. This one looks like a Mk2, are there any markings on the shell?
Thanks Tinlid. It may be a Mk.II. There are no obvious markings on the shell. I am stating Mk.1* as the chinstrap bales are square, it has the larger liner bolt and the lining is dated 1938.
The chin strap lugs are the Mk3's which came into use in 1939, pretty sure all Mk1* had the Mk1 & Mk2 chin strap lugs.
But it's the near perfect roundness of the shell which makes this a Mk2, the Mk1 was very imperfect in roundness. The brim was wide in some area's & very narrow in others.
But still a nice helmet you have.
What were the differences between the Mk.1 chinstrap bales and the Mk.3?
If you look at Petey's white Police helmet with the three pips to the front from 3 months ago, you will see this one has the Mk2 chin strap lugs which is on a Mk2 helmet.
Not sure if there are any Mk1* here for you to look at with the Mk1 chin strap lugs.