VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR WWII USN SLOTE & KLEIN AN-48440-1 FLYING HELMET WITH AMERICAN OPTICAL USN FLYING GOGGLES

The American Optical Company USN Flying Goggles were modelled on the Polaroid No 1065 and B6 Flying Goggles which had become so popular with USAAF and USN pilots and aircrew. With the air war raging in the Pacific, it was not long before other US manufacturers, like the American Optical Company started to manufacture their own versions to meet demand.

With a slightly smaller, one-piece lens than the Polaroid B8s, the American Optical Company’s USN specific Flying Goggles featured the same one-piece, shatter-proof lens which provided far greater peripheral vision than the previous twin-lens models; whilst its molded 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.

So popular were the new flying goggles that RAAF personnel in the South West Pacific would often beg, borrow or barter for a prized pair from their US counterparts.  

In the late 1950s H.L. Bouton of Massachusetts produced their own version of the Polaroid B8’s after receiving a contract from the new Swedish Airforce. Some of these also made their way into the USAF during the Korean War.

Eventually, the advent of the jet fighter saw pilots transitioning to the full face integrated oxygen mask and the one-piece, ventilated flying goggle design was successfully introduced to the burgeoning sports market to become the ski goggles we know of today. 

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 1/72 or super detailed larger 1/48 scale model of the iconic Vought F4U Corsair fighter.  

What a terrific gift for any aviation enthusiast!

* Note that this F4U 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.

These Vought F4U Corsair Collectables come complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand with Manikin Head & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in the aircraft's cockpit and highly detailed 1/72 or larger, 1/48 F4U Corsair scale model.

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