USN GRUMMAN F4F WILDCAT SLOTE & KLEIN FLYING HELMET & BLUE TINTED SEESALL FLYING GOGGLES

Up until the introduction of the USN and USAAF ordered Polaroid No 1065 flying goggles and the later Type B8 in 1943, USAAF and USN pilots were issued with commercial flying goggles such as the ‘blue tinted glass’ Seesall wrap around, double lens goggles or the similar designed, Wilson ‘Rocket’ goggles.

A common problem with many flying goggles since their introduction during the First World War was the issue of fogging.

Many of the early WWII flying googles such as the Seesall - ‘ Eyes for the skies' wrap around, double lens goggles attempted to address the issue with the introduction of vented holes at the bottom of their metal frames but it was not until the introduction of the single lens flying goggles such as the B8 with moulded in vents both top and bottom that goggle fogging was overcome.

These Seesall Goggles feature the chromed white metal frames with their integral  streamlined ventilation slits and Seesall’s large hinged centre pin.

The single piece grey rubber face cushion has deteriorated over time and is missing the upper cushions but the blue-tinted 'Rockglass’ lenses are in excellent condition for flying goggles over eighty years old.

The matched, USN Slote & Klein AN-48440-1 WWII canvas and leather Flying Helmet is also in remarkable condition, missing only a small side strap support buckle.

Although also worn by USAAF pilots, the  Slote and Klein Flying Helmet was the preferred headgear for carrier-launched pilots of the USN and island-based Marine Corps pilots being lightweight and cool in the tropical climate of the Pacific and South East Asian region.

Together, these WWII veterans of the War in the Pacific make a fantastic original and authentic aviation collectable, with their mounted, black manikin head on its 100yr old mango wood stand with plaque and detailed printed Fact Sheet and engraved plaque - all topped off with a highly detailed, custom built scale model. 

* Note that this Grumman F4F Wildcat comes with the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the 'Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger super detailed 1/48 scale or Ultra detailed 1/32 scale.

What a terrific gift for any aviation enthusiast!

This Grumman F4F Collectable comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand, Manikin Display Head & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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