British C*-Type Aircrew Flying Helmet
Stores Ref: 22C/1095 Size 1 | 22C/1096 Size 2 | 22C/1097 Size 3 | 22C/1098 Size 4
The C*-Type Wired helmets were for aircraft fitted with ejection seats, and used for a short period during the early 1950s until the F-Type and Mk1A helmets were introduced.
The helmet is as per the leather C-Type, Wired, but the difference being the headset wiring harness is a different item. The harness for the C*-Type Wired helmet is shorter, and terminates in a 671-Type "NATO" plug, suitable for ejection seat mounted 626-Type "NATO" sockets.
This shoter harness assembly is covered in black braided cotton, and is referred to as: Connector, Telephone, Type 2091. There was also a tropicalised version of the C*-Type helmet fitted with Connector, Telephone, Type 3511, which is a is constructed of blue rubberised cable, with a rubber boot over the 671-Type plug.
1947 is the earliest evidence I have found of what is commonly referred to as a "NATO" plug, a plug still in service over 70 years later.
Service Photographs
Martin Baker Video, September 1947
This Martin Baker video clip on YouTube and the below GIF image (taken from the video) show a D-Type helmet in use during early ejection seat development fitted with the Type 2091 connector, as per the C* Wired. I have found no exidence of D or E type helmets being referred to as D* or E*, so currently believe that only the C*-Type Wired helmet was used in service, and put this D-type down to it being a development project by a private company, and of course they could have used whatever equipment they had available.
The 671-Type plug and 626-Type socket are referred to in the video as a "quick release device", this GIF created from the video shows why:
Canberra B5 Prototype VX185 1951 Roly Beamont
This image captured from this video shows Roly Beamont wearing a C*-Type Wired helmet connected to the ejection seat of Canberra VX185 on a record breaking flight from Aldergrove across the Atlantic to Gander.
The same video shows a crew walking toward their Canberra carrying C*-Type Wired helmets, here.
Canberra PR-7, 1954
This image below shows C*-Type Wired helmets in use in Canberra PR-7 Aircraft in 1954. The aircrew also have A-13A/1 oxygen masks and Mk8 Goggles. The airman on the right is holding the helmet's Type 2091 connector with the hose from the A-13A/1 oxygen mask, the 671-Type "NATO" plug is visible near the goggles (click image to zoom in).
Image source unknown, credit will be given.
This edited extract below shows both 671-Type plugs highlighted. The airnam on the left's cale also shows the pop-stud strain relief leather attachment slid down the cable.
Meteor, Danish Air force
This image below shows C*-Type Wired helmet, 671-Type "NATO" plug connected an early ejection seat's communications socket over the left shoulder.
It is worn with an H-Type Oxygen Mask and Mk8 Goggles.
Image source; friend in the Danish Air Force.
Meteor 8, RAF, Ron Dick, early 1950's
This image shows Ron Dick next to his Meteor 8, wearing a C*-Type flying helmet.
Image souce: wyso.org
RAF/RN AP Resources
I have found three official references to this short wiring harnes usesd with the Type-C* Wired from 1952, 1953 and 1955:
AP4380, Section 5, Item 18 (1952)
The image below illustrates the C*-Type Wired helmet. Note the headset wiring harness has been hastily placed in situ for the photograph.
Quote:
A telephone connector Type 2091 is fitted on the Type C helmet, and a shorter connector Type 2808 is fitted on the Type C* helmet, which is for pilots flying aircraft fitted with ejection seats.
AP4288N, Volume 1, Section 5, Fig 2, Chapter 1, AL7, (September 1953)
This image taken from the Supermarine Attacker aircraft ejection seat AP give an overview of the quick release fittings of the Mk2A ejection seat, some release upon ejection and some on sepatarion from the seat.
A C*-Type helmet is shown as part of the AEA
The 671-Type "NATO" plug is detailed as "INTERCOM. RELEASE (LEAVING SEAT)", while the aircraft "Bell" connector is detailed as "INTERCOM. RELEASE (ON EJECTION)" as it is disconnected by the seat moving upward, and pulling on the cable.
AP1182E, Volume 1, Section 1, Paragraph 4 (AL45, January 1955)
Quote:
The Type C* wired helmet is similar to the Type C, but has a Type 2808 connector. It is provided for use in aircraft with ejection seats...
Exhibits
Connector, Telephone, Type 2808
What makes a C-Type Wired helmet a C*-Type Wired helmet is the shorter cable and 671-Type plug, together referred to as a "connector". The below image found at historicflyingclothing.com shows the Connector Telephone Type 2808.
C*-Type, Tropicalised Version
The Tropicalised version is as per the C*-Type Wired detailed above, but the difference being the headset wiring harness is again a different item. The harness for the tropicalised helmet still terminates in a 671-Type "NATO" plug, suitable for ejection seat 626-Type "NATO" sockets, but has a blue rubberised cable and rubber boot over the "NATO" plug to keep moisture out.
Service Images
77 Sqn RAAF Meteor 8, Pilot Officer Randal (Randy) Green, 1952-1953
This characterful image depicts the C*-Type Tropicalised helmet.
The 671-Type "NATO" plug can be seen hanging beside the oxygen tube. This is identified as a Tropicalised version, as the rubber boot is fitted to the plug, and the cable is a lighter colour, as per the exhibit below.
Source: dva.gov.au article on the Korean War.
77 Sqn RAAF Meteor 8, Sqn Leader Ron Guthrie, undated
In this image we can't see the cable, but we can see the ejection seat making this a C*-Type, or more likely (this is an assumption) a Tropicalised C*-Type. This assumption is made as the image above of Randal Green is from the same squadron, same aircraft type, and same era.
Source: austradesecure.com article on the Sqn Ldr Ron. Guthrie.
RAF/RN AP Resources
AP1182E, Volume 1, Section 1, Chapter 5, Paragraph 5 (AL45, January 1955)
Quote:
A further variant of the Type C* wired helmet, fitted with a tropicalised type 3511 connector is available...
AP1086, Book 4, Part 3, Section 10HA Second Edition (AL104, 7th August 1962)
By 1962 the stores reference 10HA/8655 had been erased from the stores reference vocabulary, there is no trace of it in AL104 of section 10HA.
Exhibits
Connector, Telephone, Type 3511
The image below shows a cut-off Tropicalised wiring harness, as fitted to the C*-Type, and E*-Type Tropicalised helmets. Note the connector type number is 3511, as refrenced above by AP1182E. It has a stores reference number of 10HA/8655.
This is part of my personal collection, purchased in 2017 for £0.50. This sorry looking cable is all I have ever seen of a Tropicalised wiring harness. Due to its age, and posssibly long term storage conditions, the rubber cable sheath has perished quite badly.
