AIRCREW FLYING HELMET

LEADING PARTICULARS

Stores Ref. No.:See description
Manufacturers:Helmets | BWT
Connection:Mk. 7 Bayonet union oxygen plug (6D/2053) | Type 671 "NATO" communications plug (10H/5935)
Systems:Oxygen | VHF/UHF, Intercom and Telebriefing

DESCRIPTION

Several types of flying helmet were used on the Lightning during its RAF service life, often with overlapping service time periods.

All helmets provide the aircrew with impact protection, wind blast protection, sun glare protection, headset communication function, means of either directly providing oxygen, or mounting an oxygen mask. The partial pressure helmet type E also provides external pressure on the head.

PARTIAL PRESSURE HELMET TYPE E

Used for high altitude flying as a safeguard against cabin de-pressurisation. Made by Baxter, Woodhouse & Taylor (BWT) the type E is a single piece helmet contained inflatable bladders to externally apply pressure to the head if required upon a depressurisation event. Only seen in the early 1960's, as it was found that a P/Q oxygen mask would suffice for coping with cabin depressurisation, and as a result, partial pressure helmets were withdrawn from service in the Lightning.

The helmet type E is worn in conjunction with in conjunction with a pressure jerkin Mk. 4, G-trousers, and a pressure jerkin oxygen hose Mk. 2.

Lightning F Mk.1 Sqn.Ldr R. R. Harding 1960

Caption on image reverse:
PRB 18488 - Air Fighting Development Squadron of the Central Fighter Establishment at R.A.F. Coltishall. In front of an English Electric Lightning F(AW)Mk.1 are Sqn. Ldr. R. R. Harding and S./Tech. C.A. Johnson.
February, 1960.

Lightning T Mk.4

Lightning T Mk.4, possibly XL629 (as is fitted with guns).
Date unknown.

Lightning F Mk.1A of 111 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Ian Thomson at RAF Wattisham, October 1962

Lightning F Mk.1A of 111 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Ian Thomson at RAF Wattisham
October 1962
Source: Imperial War Museum

Lightning F Mk.3 XP741 of 111 Sqn. at RAF Wattisham, circa 1965

Lightning F Mk.3 XP741 of 111 Sqn. at RAF Wattisham
circa 1965
Source: Imperial War Museum

Mk. 1A HELMET & TYPE G INNER HELMET

Two-piece helmet already in service before the Lightning arrived, and continued into the 1970's on the Lightning. Still appearing in RAF documentation in 1990 for other aircraft types.

Lightning F Mk.1A aircraft of 56 Sqn. at RAF Wattisham

Lightning F Mk.1A aircraft of 56 Sqn. at RAF Wattisham
Source: Imperial War Museum

Mk. 2 & Mk. 2A HELMETS

Single-piece helmet introduced in roughly 1963/64 but with a slow roll-out, possibly as it was known to be a very expensive item when introduced. Documentation for the Mk. 2A declared obsolete in 1987

Lightning F Mk.6 aircraft of 11 Sqn. at RAF Leuchars

Lightning F Mk.6 aircraft of 11 Sqn. at RAF Leuchars
Source: Imperial War Museum

Mk. 3B HELMET

Simplified version of the Mk. 2A, fitted with single track visor. First evidence in documentation is 1965, still advertised in 1975.

This image below shows a mix of Mk. 2A (Left and ladder top) and Mk. 3B helmets (right).

Lightning F Mk.6 of 74 Sqn.in Akrotiri

Lightning F Mk.6 of 74 Sqn.in Akrotiri
07 September 1971
Source: Stewart Scott via Falke Eins great planes blog

Mk. 3C helmet

Double visor version of the Mk. 3B, additional clear visor provided eyesight protection during ejection. In 1974 a visor upgrade kit for Mk. 2A helmets was issued, converting them to Mk. 3C helmets by re-using the flat shaped tinted visor and adding a clear visor, both on a new simplified arm mechanism. In 1976 a more curved shape visor type was introduced based on Stadium motorcycle visors.

REFERENCES

T Mk.5 mechanical "Vol. 1":
A.P.101B-1005-1A, Sect. 3, Chap. 10, A.L.56, Oct. 1971 - Oxygen System

F Mk. 3, T Mk. 5 and F Mk. 6 aircrew manual:
A.P.101B-1003, 5 & 6A, Part 1, Chapter 12, A.L.2, Nov. 1984, Pilot Equipment and Associated Systems - Paragraph 10

Aircrew Equipment Assemblies:
A.P.1182, Sect. 1, Chap. 5, A.L.30, Oct. 1959 - Personal Equipment Connector
A.P.1182, Vol. 1, Book 2, Sect. 16, Chap. 5, A.L.103, Mar. 1966 - Lightning T Mk. 5, Mk. 4BSB Ejection Seat
A.P.1182E, Vol. 1, Sect. 4, Chap. 8, A.L.107, Mar. 1964 - Oxygen Hose Assemblies - Low Altitude PECs
A.P.1182E, Vol. 1, Sect. 4, Chap. 9, A.L.104, Jan. 1964 - Pressure Jerkin Hose Assemblies - High Altitude PECs
A.P.108F-0904-12, Jan 1987, Oxygen Hose Assemblies

Flying - The Aircrew, Airmanship and Aircraft Performance:
A.P.3456E, Part 1, Sect. 2, Chap. 1, A.L.14, Mar. 1984 - Oxygen Equipment and Assemblies

ML Aviation:
ML Aviation, July 1975 Hose Assemblies and Connectors
ML Aviation, 1966, F Mk. 3 Lightning aircrew equipment assemblies (AEA)