British D*-Type Wired Aircrew Flying Helmet
The D*-Type Wired helmets were for aircraft fitted with ejection seats.
It is as per the cotton drill fabric D-Type Wired, but the difference being the headset wiring harness is a different item. The harness for the D*-Type is shorter, and terminates in a 671-Type "NATO" plug, suitable for ejection seat 626-Type "NATO" sockets.
Note: See the similar leather C*-Type Wired helmet.
Service Photographs
Martin Baker Video, September 1947
This Martin Baker video clip (click here) and the below images taken from the video show the D*-Type helmet in use during early ejection seat development.
The NATO plug and socket are referred to in the video as a "quick release device", this GIF created from the video shows why:
RAF/RN AP Resources
I have found two references to this short wiring harnes usesd with the Type-C* Wired and Type-E* Wired helmets, it is assumed that the same harness is used on the Type-D* wired:
AP4380 Section 6, Item 8 (AL4, February 1952)
Quote:
A telephone connector Type 2091 is fitted on the Type C helmet, and a shorter connector Type 2028 is fitted on the Type C* helmet, which is for pilots flying aircraft fitted with ejection seats.
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...
AP1182E, Volume 1, Section 1, Paragraph 7 (AL45, January 1955)
Quote:
The Type E* wired helmet is similar to the Type E, but has a Type 2808 connector. It is provided for use in aircraft with ejection seats...