Helmet, Protective, Experimental, United States Army Air Forces

Experimental Protective Flying Helmet; yellow painted Type M1942 tankers hard helmet with snap attachments to Type A-11 Leather flying helmet; M1942 helmet has brown leather webbing with cotton straps with snaps to attach to the Type A-11 helmet; the Type A-11 helmet has a dark brown leather exterior with internal black rubber earphones; earphones have chamois lining; brown rayon manufacturer's tag with tan letter text "TYPE A-11, SPECIFICATION NUMBER 3189, SIZE-MEDIUM, STOCK NO. 8300-396015, ORDER NO. (33-038)44-3177A A.F., THE SELBY SHOE CO., PROPERTY OF THE AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY" sewn on inside lining of helmet; leather chin strap; 3 snaps on for M1942 or oxygen mask on front of helmet; black rubber earphone patch cord with red plastic plug.

This helmet was worn during 1945-1946 by Capt. John Babel, a test pilot of the Lockheed P-80A. It was made at Muroc Flight Test Base from an Army Air Forces Type A-11 flying helmet and a Type M1942 Tanker's helmet. A hard helmet was necessary to protect the jet pilot's head becasue of the buffeting encountered at high speed while flying through rough, turbulent air. The Type A-13A oxygen mask and the Type B-8 goggles was worn with this helmet.