The SAAF Forum

I'm busy researching all flight gear used by the SAAF, such as helmets, masks, flight suits, life preservers, survival vests, shoes, gloves, etc.

However, I also have a very small collection which I'm trying to build up.

Herewith early SAAF helmets:

The first hard helmet used by the SAAF, the British Helmet Mk1 (no visor). It is used in conjunction with the inner liner Type G (with earphones) and Type H oxygen mask.


Next up is the Helmet Mk1A (M) (With visor). Earlier Mk1s without visor were upgraded to this standard.


Initial Buccaneer used the Helmet MkII, which I'd love to acquire.

The Helmet MkIIIA (with throat mike) was used by Flight Engineers for rescue work. I hope to acquire a MkIIIA with boom mike.


Helmet MkIIIB with Q2A oxygen mask:


Leather flying helmet With Gosport Tubes (circa 1939), used by Capt. Theo Purchase to train SAAF pilots on the Hawker Fury and Hart prior to flying Marauders in North Africa:


Leather helmet with RAF Mk VIII goggle replica and Impala MkII Helmet MkIIIB:


I've just acquired a Gueneau 316 helmet with boom mike, but it is missing the visors and visor mechanism. In the process of attempting to purchase spares from France.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Very Nice Dean..I am sure if those helmets could speak what stories they could tell us,History is everywhere,thanks for sharing.

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Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
But today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present.
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Adrian Munro
http://www.weddingduo.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/Airfirephotography/

Very nice Dean!

Thanks all.

Not a SAAF helmet, but arrived today in the post.

Apparently found in the cockpit of a non-airworthy MiG-21:

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Nice, collect *all* the helmets!

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

Early Gueneau 317 helmet used by chopper pilots. The mike may not be accurate.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

A surprise package arrived this afternoon: A South African manufactured Lafe helicopter helmet shell!

It is missing the visors, visor cover, headset and mike, but still pretty rare.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Wasn't aware that SA manufactured our own helmets? What aircraft type would it have been used in?

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

Cheetah C (two versions) and Oryx.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Have not seen any Lafe helmets on the market, now I've just purchased a prime specimen!

It is actually a Lafe helmet shell as used on the Cheetah C with dual visor cover, thus has the mountings for an oxygen mask, but is also molded to take a NVG and has had a boom mike attached for helicopter ops.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Nice collection Dean. Where on earth do you find these helmets?

Just happen to stumble across Facebook pages or ads selling militaria and approaching them if they have any other items of interest.

Also been lucky enough for persons to contact me after seeing my posts.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Nice one!

Impala pilot of 4 Squadron, early 1970s: Helmet Mk1A (M) and Type G inner liner with P1B mask and green flightsuit, manufactured by HJ Henochberg.





Not me as model!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

The current helicopter helmet in the SAAF, besides the Rooivalk: The Alpha 220.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?