Luftwaffe K-33 winter Flying Helmet

This was the standard WWII unwired helmet for use by aircrew for primary training as well as for combat crew positions where no communication was necessary. These were also used by single engine fighter pilots early on during the Blitzkrieg in 1939/40. It is interesting by mid war virtually all crew positions required radio contact yet it is documented it remained in manufacture certainly until 1943, with later examples carrying the provision for attaching two and three point oxygen mask.

This helmet is of the latter type with two metal clips either side of the helmet and an adjustable brow attachment, as used on the LKpS101 and LKpW101 wired helmets. The leather is in really excellent condition with no issues and both the goggle snaps are in place and working. The double chin straps are good with service grub to the inside linings and the metal parts remain bright The woven makers label indicates it was made by STRIEGEL & WAGNER KOM.GES. LICHTENFELS/BAYER.OSTMAR and Grosse but the size detail is worn out but we would estimate a medium fit. Perhaps not the most sexy of the wartime Luftwaffe flying helmets but no collection would be complete without this model and it would be hard to improve on this example