F4U CORSAIR B-8 FLYING GOGGLES AND USN AN-H-15 SUMMER FLYING HELMET

One of the most successful and widely worn USAAF, USN and USMC protective goggle designs of the Second World War was the US designed Polaroid B-8 Aviation Goggles.

Introduced in late 1943 the Polaroid B-8 flying goggles were worn by US pilots and aircrew in the skies over Europe, above the jungles of South East Asia and throughout the air war in the Pacific.

The B-8’s one-piece, shatter-proof lens provided far greater peripheral vision than the previous twin lens models; whilst its moulded black rubber body and chamois leather lining were easily adaptable to fit most faces and variations in oxygen masks.

Above the rim of the one-piece lens, perforations along the upper edge of the rubber frame allowed for increased air circulation to reduce fogging - a common problem with previous twin lens models.

The Polaroid B-8 came well packaged with a small instruction pamphlet and a variety of interchangeable tinted lenses for use in different weather and lighting conditions. 

So popular were the B-8’s that RAAF personnel in the South West Pacific would often beg, borrow or barter for a prized pair from their US counterparts.

USN and USMC pilots and aircrew were issued with both a light Summer Flying Helmet and a heavier more robust Winter Helmet.

This AN-H-15 Summer Helmet was manufactured by the Society Brand Hat Co under licence to the US Department of Navy and features inner ear padding designed to accept a set of USN radio receivers as well as a five brass poppers on either side of the helmet's outer frame mounted on reinforced stitched leather.

The brass poppers enabled the pilot to attach a combination oxygen/transmission mask worn below the B8 Goggles with the intercom leads threaded through the additional leather removable tabs behind the ear pads leading them out of the way of the pilot's field of vision.

A small popper attachment under one side of the helmet would hold a removable leather chin strap which was secured via a helmet-attached buckle on the other side, although the small chin strap connector is missing on this example. 

This original WWII USN Summer Flight Helmet is in remarkable condition for flight gear over 80 years old with no canvas tears or stitching damage apart from one of the small rear poppers having come away from the back of the helmet. The inside ear pads are also in excellent condition.

Combined with the matching B8 Polaroid Goggles, manikin head, display stand and detailed model of the iconic Vought F4U Corsair this is an incredibly rare and historical piece of aviation history and war in the Pacific.       

Your original pair of Polaroid B-8 Aviation Goggles and USN AN-H-15 Summer Flight Helmet come complete with :

• Original printed box

• Battle hardened B-8 Flying goggles

• Original Instruction pamphlet 

• Complete set of original, individually packaged tinted lenses

• Battle worn USN AN-H-15 Summer Flight Helmet mounted on a full size, custom black manikin head mounted on a beautiful hand-crafted 100yr mango wood display stand with     engraved plaque

• Detailed, professionally printed and laminated Fact Sheet

• Highly detailed, hand built & airbrushed Vought F4U Corsair 1/72 or more heavily detailed, 1/48 scale model of the F4U Corsair on its removable magnetic stand.

* Note that this F4-U Collectable is pictured with a 1/48 scale model rather than the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the ‘Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger 1/48 scale as displayed here.


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