Books on Luftwaffe flying gear

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

andy
luftwaffe flight helmets
Thu Jan 3 12:54:08 2002


Did operational crew ever use flying helmets without the ear piece covering? Ive seen various formats for the helmets - some, like british and american helmets, have cups for the ear phones. Some luftwaffe ones seem to be without these. if they were worn, how did the crew make use of the r/T system?
thanks
Andy

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Dave Brown
Luftwaffe Flying Helmets
Thu Jan 3 13:25:29 2002


Andy:

Flying Helmets such as Model FK34 (summer version - produced from light brown flecked fabric) and K33(winter version - fleece or fur-lined leather) were produced without provision for communication equipment. These helmets were worn in primary training and by combat crew positions where no communication was thought necessary, including many single engine fighter pilots early in the Blitz. By mid-war virtually all aircraft crew positions required radio contact.

Also, the flak helmets did not have the earphones. They were designed to fit over the their regular flying helmets. Typically, crew members would wear their standard M-34 and M-40 steel helmets, although, a number of flak helmets were specifically designed to do the job. It wasn't until near the end of the war that a a successful Fliegerstahlhelm was developed. Prior prototypes were heavy and less effective than the steel helmets already worn.

Dave

Reference: Luftwaffe versus RAF Flying Clothing of the Air War, 1939-45 by Mick J. Prodger pp23-29

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

andy
Re: Luftwaffe Flying Helmets
Thu Jan 3 14:47:21 2002


excellent response - thanks very very much - just the job! http://www.lwag.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Radiomonitor
Flying Helmets - Kopfhaube
Thu Jan 3 15:00:18 2002


02.01.03-1452z-German Luftwaffe flying helmets(=Kopfhaube) made by light yellow/brown fabric, had built-in earphones and built-in larynx-microphone. The cable connection was in the back side of the flying helmet, and ended in a 4-lead Brechkupplung(break-contact), which could be attached to any of the crew positions, just pressing it on, and gently breaking it loose again. Each crew member had thereby connection to the EiV(=Eigenverständigung=interphone red), and could also - throught the radio operator - be connected to the radio receivers and the short wave FuG10 telephony transmitter, as well as to the DF(=Direction Finder) long wave FuG10 receiver. The system connected f.inst. in a Ju88 Bomber all 4 crew, who could cooperate in navigation, and in the Ju88 Nightfighter cooperating in evaluation of the radar observations. vy73 - KAL +

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Alex M.
Flying Helmets Book
Thu Jan 3 19:27:08 2002


I highly recommend this book on the evolution of flying helmets. It begins with World War I and shows developments until the end of World War II. It covers the United States, Great Britain, Germany , Japan, and U.S.S.R. Also included are special goggles worn by all. For Luftwaffe, there are anti-searchlight goggles, armoured glass flying goggles and steel shielded goggles and others. Also oxygen masks and a few high altitude pressure suits. Many excellent quality black and white photographs and color.
Vintage Flying Helmets- Aviation Headgear Before The Jet Age by Mick J. Prodger
Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 0-88740-776-5. 1995
The titlle is slightly incorrect as the book does mention a jet flying helmet for the Japanese Kikka.
Regards,
Al

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

terry
luftwaffe jacket
Sun Feb 24 15:18:25 2002
212.159.150.27

hi i wonder if anybody knows what type jacket i have its brown the zip crosses sideways zip like the motorcycle wear
it has two zips not pockets down sides and fur linedall inside collor as well it as button flap shoulder rightside not stud and a zip by it it opens up collerside why
zip sleeves with flaps studs browntops also iside handouilts with studs justments inside sleeves also gusset lettside only its leatherlaced
thanks all

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Mike Shilton
Flight Jacket
Wed Feb 27 16:22:40 2002
195.93.49.176

Hi Terry, it sounds like a cut down winter one piece Fliegerkombi flying suit for flight over water. I have seen examples of both the complete suit and cut down versions. Take a look in Mick Prodgers book Luftwaffe vs Raf, there are photos of the complete suit.

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

B.Mulder
Unknown German oxygen device
Fri Jun 28 10:50:44 2002
62.41.2.68

Hello,

We found a panel from a storage in Berlin which is probably used at the end of the war. We don't know what it is but it's functioning on oxygen at a pressure of 150 atm. You can see the following text at the panel:
- fullen mit sauerstoff 150 atmosfeer.(fill with oxygen)
- manufacturer: DYB
There are also a few numbers on it, could this device come from a secret weapon like the V-2, Natter or V-1 (they all used oxygen). I know from a V-1 ignitor which I posses that the main manufacturer is GYF. But there were a lot more of course. So does anybody know of a oxygen system operating at 150 atm. The box is about 4 cm. thick, 30 in width and 40 cm. in length. It contains tubular shaped cylinders, diameter approximately 2.5 cm and a pressure gauge with filled and empty on it. It has the shape (internal) of a sort of heat exchanger (like the back of a refrigerator). Maybe to warm up the gas when being released from it's main source. I know it's a very difficult question but you never know.... Thanks and greetings Bart.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

R. P. Lutz
o2 device
Mon Jul 1 02:29:25 2002
66.214.112.108

It sounds like the seat back oxygen or "Bail-out bottle'which was fitted to the seat pack parachute to provide oxygen for high altitude bail-outs. I've seen 1 or 2 in auctions.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

B.Mulder
thanks
Mon Jul 1 17:22:09 2002
62.41.2.68

Thank you mister Lutz!!!

This was also our first reaction!! I think you are right! Probably it's just a simple storage box for a short period of breathing.

Thanks for your response!!

I just found out that the manufacturer code has to do with breathing equipment!

gr. Bart

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Alex Martin
Oxygen device
Wed Jul 3 17:10:49 2002
64.7.162.165

Hi,

It is possible you have equipment made by Dragerwerk. Their manufacturer code is given as byd. The device may be a High Aititude Respirator Model HLa 732 or 731. A starting pressure of 150 atmospheres is indicated and steel or aluminum flasks of 2 to 10 liters were made.
Source: German Luftwaffe Flight Headgear of World War II by Anders Skotte

Regards,
Al

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Andy
Luftwaffe survivial equipment
Thu Aug 1 22:30:24 2002
195.92.67.75

I have just got hold of a water carrier carried by Luftwaffe aircrew as part of the survival equipment. It is green, made of canvas and about 15 by 12 inches, with stampings saying it is made by Dragerwerk, Lubeck amongst other things. I have not seen one before and have checked various publications such as Mick Prodger's two volume work on flying gear ( LUFTWAFFE VS. RAF - Flying Equipment of the Air War 1939 - 1945 ). I would like to know more about this item and was wondering if anyone has seen or heard of this item. If not I wondered if anyone would know how I could contact Mr Prodger.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Gene
Mick's email address
Fri Aug 2 05:19:01 2002
63.204.134.92

You can contact Mick at mick@dcci.com

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 08 September 2002).]

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Alex Martin
German high altitude flying gear
Wed Aug 7 18:17:29 2002
64.7.162.100

Hi,

I am interested in finding out about German partial and full pressure suits for high altitudes. Even German language sources would help.

Thanks in advance.

Al

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Juergen
Wat-Anzug
Fri Aug 9 19:20:18 2002
217.228.35.218

Hello Alex,

have a look at: www.pilotenbunker.de (http://www.pilotenbunker.de) . The pilot´s name is Erwin Ziller and he is to be found in the section "Andere" (others). There you´ll find infos on high alt. flying gear.

Regards, Juergen


[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 12 September 2002).]

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Alex Martin
Thank you n/t
Mon Aug 12 05:48:27 2002
64.12.102.169