German Aviator Helmet Identification

6 August 2002, 07:45 PM

I saw this "WWI German aviator's helmet" for sale on the internet, and was wondering how commonly used it was, or if anyone has any other information regarding it.
Thanks
Ron

Rod_Filan · 6 August 2002, 09:32 PM

Hello Ron. Welcome to the forum and thank you for posting.

The flying helmet you have shown us I believe to be quite common and based on a design originating in France. However it probably fell out of favour towards the later stages of the War considering its bulk and for a scout pilot snapping his head around to check his six, it would have been fairly impractical headgear for combat. I'm certain there are forumites that will have factual information to lend you and perhaps have a proper name for it; but in the meantime here is an interesting in-flight photograph of an aviator in an LVG C.II (a/c ID best guess) wearing this type.
http://204.83.160.230/archive/a/estate/inflt.jpg
Its a dark photo. Feel free to crank up the brightness.

VBR
Rod

Immo_Frese · 6 August 2002, 11:46 PM

Hi,
This helmet was indroduced in service on 11.Dec 1913 by AKO (allerhöchste Kabinett-Ordre). The name is 'Sturzhelm M 1913'. It is a component of the so called 'Grundausstattung der Sonderbekleidung für Flugzeugbesatzungen' ( basic equipment of special clothing for aircrews).

Immo

Rick · 7 August 2002, 06:14 AM

From all I've seen and read, this type of helmut was especially used in the training schools. However, It seems authentic enough. R.

7 August 2002, 11:33 AM

I would love getting a copy of it if you find the time to scan the article. Thank you very much, and to everyone else who has contributed an answer to my question.

7 August 2002, 12:17 PM

http://www.d-rangers.net/Gotha.jpg

I was aware of this image of what does appear to be the same helmet model, worn by a Gotha bomber gunner. I seem to recall seeing photos of the helmet being worn by fighter pilots as well, although maybe they were photos from early in the war.

wulffo · 12 August 2002, 01:05 AM

how much did it go for in the end?

13 August 2002, 01:36 PM

Almost $500. $490 I think

charles · 20 August 2002, 02:15 AM

Please email me your scans of the article, too.

Cigogne · 20 August 2002, 03:31 PM

Please add me as well to receiving scans of the article. The helmet style was a common one. There are many fighter pilot photos of German pilots wearing these. Reading, I think, in Böhme or Richthofen's writings that have been printed, he says that Boelcke didn't wear a crash helmet. Of course he is referring to this type of helmet and not the soft leather lined flying helmets that offered only warmth but no protection in a crash. These helmets, pictured, had the thick leather wrapped rib of cork over the top and were reinforced cork inside as a stiffening and shock absorbing material. Who knows, if Boelcke would have been wearing one he might have survived the crash. (According to those writings, anyway)

Cigogne