old style flying helmets?

[ercoupepilot]

I've frequently seen pictures of aviators from this period wearing what looks like a variation of early football helmets when they fly. They are big leather, padded helmets.
The closest I've found is WW2 Italian tanker helmets (but those typically have a flap over the neck), is there anybody out there that sells repros of these type helmets?

[cfgray]

Hi, ercoupepilot,

The type you describe were, in fact, football helmets, Spalding No.11 (if I remember correctly). They were in US military use for only a fairly short period of time, from about early in 1911 through 1913, and were especially popular at the Curtiss "training camp" on North Island, San Diego.

By 1913-14 several special-purpose flying helmets were available (such as the popular cork-filled leather helmets from Europe, notably France).
I haven't looked into it but I wouldn't be surprised if a sports dealer were able to locate modern replicas.

If you pursue that route and do find a source, please share it.

Best,
cfgray

[cfgray]

ercoupepilot,

I located a company which makes and sells replica leather helmets much like the ones used by aviators

http://www.pasttimesports.biz/football.html#Full

Was this the sort of thing you were looking for?

Best,
cfgray

[CincinnatiRedlegs]

I don't know if those are the correct helmets, but that equipment makes me appreciate Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski more.

[cfgray]

Hi, CincinnatiRedlegs,
They're not exactly correct, but they are close. The ones used as aviator helmets in 1911 were Spalding No. 11's. These were the closest replicas I could locate.
Best,
cfgray

[CincinnatiRedlegs]

Cfgray-
I hope you don't think I was nitpicking, wasn't trying to. I was merely complimenting you on your great find, and the toughness of 1910s-20s football players. By the way, I got a 1910s era football from the site.

Best regards-
CincinnatiRedlegs

[cfgray]

Hi, CincinnatiRedlegs,
Nope, I didn't think so... not at all.
Cheers,
cfgray

[ONEALM]

Since you mentioned it, the sport has obviously changed since the early years. While researching the sport background of New Jersey native Jay Pollins (21 Sq, RE-8 pilot, KICrash 28 Sept 18), I ran across this:

a headline from the 25 November 1913 New Brunswick newspaper reveals just how rough it could be. ” 14 Dead, 175 Hurt Season’s Toll of Football.” The article went on to tally the years football related injuries from around the nation, citing the sports violent nature as the primary cause of injury

Now that's rough - broken arms, legs, concussions - sissy stuff. 14 Killed playing football in 1913 and I think this was just the tally from High School games......

[CincinnatiRedlegs]

Makes Terrell Owen's "heroic" effort in the 2005 Super Bowl seem sort of lame in comparison. Times do indeed change.

Just a couple years earlier, anyone who wore a glove (not a modern padded glove, just any leather glove) to play professional baseball was considered a momma's boy! (OUCH!)