British Mk1A Aircrew Flying Helmet
Worn over the F-Type or G-Type cloth helmets, the Mk1A offered protection to aircrew from buffeting, ejection through canopies, and parachute decent through trees.
The Mk1A included a central rail Mk2 visor, but when used without visor was still referred to as a Mk1A. The only documented appliction I have found for them without visor is V-bomber rear crew. Mk1A's without Mk2 visor still included the raised ridge for mounting the rail, see Victor image below.
These helmets were issued in silver paint, however, some were re-painted by squardons as will be seen below. Colours seen in regular service are also Green, Blue and White, some aeobatic display teams used more colours.
Advertisements / Brochures
Helmets Ltd Brochure 1960
1960 Helmets LTD brochure for the MK1A protective helmet. G-Type inner communications helmet, and H-Type oxygen mask:
RAF Recruitment Advert 1973
These Mk1A helmets are sporting a fantastic paint job, glossy red with squadron markings in white. But illustrates the Mk1A was in front line fast jet use in 1973.
Service Photographs
RAF Victor B.1 1959
Painted in Nuclear Flash white, with light tint visor. Image from IWM. Worn with G-Type inner helmet, and A-13A/2 Oxygen Mask.
Again, in Nuclear Flash white, but this time without visor. During this era, V-Bomber rear crew members had no visors installed on their Mk1A helmets. Image from DailyMail. Worn with G-Type inner helmet, and A-13A/4 Oxygen Mask.
RAF Dominie mid 1960's
Nice non-posed image of navigators undergoing training in the rear of a Dominie. Image from CoffmanStarter. Worn with G-Type inner helmets, and P/Q Oxygen Masks.
This image shows the Mk1A helmets in silver and white with artwork applied to the sides.
RAF/RN AP Resources
AP1182E, Volume 1, Section 1, Chapter 5, Figs 7 and 8 (AL 45, November, 1955)
the image below illustrate use of a Mk1A protective helmet over an F-Type helmet in late 1955.
AP4288C, Volume 1, Section 6, Chapter 1, Figure 2 (AL29, December 1955)
The AEA of the Glsoter Javelin from 1955 shows a Mk1A helmet in use. This AP is specifically for the Mk3J ejection seat, but images include the AEA.
Variations
A suffix letter in brackets added to the designation is seen on many Mk1A helmets. I'm yet to understand what they could mean or of they indicated any differences in the helmets. So far I have seen:
- Mk1A(M) - very common
- Mk1A(P) - a friend owns one
- Mk1A(R) - see: historicflyingclothing.com