Luftwaffe Winter Flying Helmet K33
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 22.GOR.01.02.03.002.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Exterior in soft, pliable dark brown finished leather, fleece lined, with a wide strip of soft chamois leather acting as a headband at the front, the embroidered manufacturer's label sewn on the fleece lining behind the centre panel, the label inscribed "STRIEGEL & WAGNER KOM.-GES. / LICHTENFELS / BAYER.OSTMARK" and size stamped in faded blue ink "55" beside "Grosse:" (Size) with a boxed "2" stamped at the far right, two-piece chin strap in dark brown finished leather and backed by chamois leather, each strap with fourteen holes for length adjustment, the underside of the chin strap on the left side stamped in black ink "L.B.A. (S) 42" (Luftwaffe Bekleidungs Amt Stuttgart = Airforce Clothing Department Stuttgart, 1942), magnetic metal buckles stitched in place on either side for feeding of the chin straps, magnetic metal clips on either side towards the front for placement of the elastic strap used to hold the oxygen mask in place, adjustable length cloth strap on the top with locking clip, the front end fed through an integral leather panel and finished with a hook that is used for the top strap of an oxygen mask, vertical leather straps with snap closures on either side at the rear, intact stitching, extremely fine.
Luftwaffe Flying Helmets include unlined or fleece or fur-lined models for summer or winter use, respectively. Models come with or without earphones and oxygen mask fittings.
Summer flying helmets were made of brown linen, while winter helmets were made of brown leather.
The flying helmet for summer use without earphones and oxygen mask fittings was referred to as model FK 34. It was used in airplanes without radio equipment and for training purposes. The flying helmet for summer use with earphones, a throat microphone, and oxygen mask fittings has several models. The earliest model is known as model LKp S-53, and can be identified by having oval, molded plastic earphone mountings. The later models, LKp S-100 and LKp S-101 have leather covered earphone mountings with a depression to hold the goggles strap in place.
A rare flying helmet known as LKp S-54 was used by aircraft commanders. It has additional internal features, allowing the wearer greater electronic communication potential.
Luftwaffe flying personnel serving in warmer, tropical climate areas often wore a net top version flying helmet, known as “Netzkopfhaube”, designated as model LKp N-101. This flying helmet differs from other models not only by its thin mesh net top, but also by a lack of a chinstrap.
The flying helmet for winter use without earphones and oxygen mask fittings was referred to as model FK 33. In addition to the same uses as the summer model FK34, this helmet was also worn during the war by ground personnel to keep warm.
The flying helmet for winter use with earphones, a throat microphone, and oxygen mask fittings is similar to the ones for summer use, with model designations LKp W-53, LKp W-100, LKp W-101, and LKp W-54.
Flying personnel on missions over bodies of water often wore a flying helmet cloth cover, either in white or yellow. It was supposed to make it easier to spot downed flying personnel in water.
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