Helmet, Flying, Type A-11, United States Army Air Forces

Object Details

Manufacturer

J. G. Menihan Corp.

Physical Description

United States Army Air Forces Type A-11 Intermediate Flying Helmet; seal brown cape leather exterior shell with black rubber earphone cups; missing black rubber earphone plugs or Type ANB-H-1 Radio Headphone Reciever; chamois lining and ear pads; cap leather and chamois buckle chin strap; turn down brow flap; three brass snaps for oxygen mask located on the left and right chin of the helmet; leather buckle strap on the back nap of the helmet to adjust the helmet size; three leather straps on back of helmet to hold the flight goggle's strap; double reinforced seam on each side of helmet; dark white sewn in manufacturer's tag on inside back neck of the helmet with embroidered red letter text (see incriptions for full text); white stenciled Army Air Forces winged star insignia with white letter text "ARMY AIR FORCES" below insignia on left exterior side of helmet. Gray rubber framed Polarize goggles with black elastic strap attached to helmet.

Summary

The Type A-11 intermediate flying helmet was standardized on August 6, 1943 and became one of the most popular and widely utilzied helmets during World War II. There were numerous but minor changes relating to the oxygen mask attachments made during its production run but continued to keep the A-11 designation. The rubber earphone mountings were designated for the Type ANB-H-1 radio reciever. The helmet remained in Air Force service during the Korean War. The Federal Avaition Administration (FAA) continued to use the helmet in high altitude training through the mid-1970s.

Credit Line

Found in collection. Donor unknown at this time. Found on NASM premises

Inventory Number

A20010456000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear

Materials

Helmet Exterior Shell: Cape Leather

Lining: Chamois

Earphone Cups: Rubber

Earphone Padding: Kapok

Dimensions

Clothing: 24.1 x 25.4 x 26.7cm (9 1/2 in. x 10 in. x 10 1/2 in.)

Clothing Size: Extra Large

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

National Air and Space Museum

Record ID

nasm_A20010456000

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv97ab89e7f-878c-474e-a633-bd422adad81c