Canada. A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Flying Helmet with Goggles, c.1942

This is the type II version of the helmet, patterned after the Royal Air Force type "B" helmet but without "Bennett" buckles, with the pattern adjusted for a completely closer fit, versus the original pattern. The exterior is fabricated from brown leather, with zip up housings for the telephone receivers on both sides, the front with a leather chinstrap stitched in place on the right side and when fed through the buckle sewn in place to the tab on the left side, ensures a snug fit at the chin. The rear has three vertical straps stitched in place: one strap with three adjustment holes and metal buckle in the centre at the base of the helmet, with a long strap housing a metal length adjustment buckle fed horizontally through the vertical strap, allowing for a secure fit at the neckline; along with two vertical straps with snap closures stitched in place on either side just above the aforementioned vertical strap, allowing for the placement of the accompanying Mk III goggles. The interior is lined in supple sheepskin, with a forest green cotton patch stitched in place at the brow, extensive padding around the ears, hand inscribed in black ink "G DUNN B219868" at the rear on the right side. The helmet measures approximately 220 mm (w) x 240 mm (h) overall, the stitching intact throughout, with both zippers on the housings functional, exhibiting age soiling. The accompanying Mk III Flying Goggles have a metal frame, are covered with black leather and are well-padded, containing clear plastic lenses, the frame housing the lenses in black finished bronze, the inside of the goggles with additional padding in black cotton around the eyes, both ends of the frame with loops for the attachment of the elasticized head straps. The lenses frames are secured in place via two screws each and are hinged above the nose piece for easier storage. The elasticized straps at either end have leather tabs stitched in place, in order to connect them to the loops on the frame, the elasticized straps connected together via a thick two-piece leather strap with adjustable buckle that feeds through the two vertical straps at the rear of the helmet. The leather strap is fed through the two vertical straps at the rear of the helmet and stamped in two locations on its upper "R.C.A.F. NO. 22C/13 C.C.B." and "R.C.A.F. 22/397 C.C.B. 1942", along with being hand-inscribed in black ink "G. DUNN" and "B219868" on its underside. The leather tab used to connect the right elasticized strap to the frame has experienced separation, therefore, the goggles hang loose on the right side. The googles themselves measuring 230 mm (w) x 105 mm (h) overall, with wear evident in the black leather, exhibiting oxidation on the frame, along with age soiling. As is.