Description
Physical description
Helmet: brown leather flying helmet made of seven panels, stitched together to form a snug fit on the wearer's head. The helmet features two black rubber earcups that would house radio communication ear telephones. The helmet also features a chinstrap of grey/blue coloured elasticated webbing, fixed to a sliding white metal buckle, left side. The strap is secured by a metal pop-stud to the right jaw.
Further pop-studs and a metal hook would secure the oxygen mask.
The forehead leather panel has been painted in red, as have the exposed rubber earcups.
History note
Type C Flying Helmet worn during the Second World war by Lieutenant Currie Boyd Davis, who served in the USAAF 390th Fighter Squadron. RAF flying helmets were popular with USAAF pilots, and frequently used as a comfortable alternative to the standard US issue.
After completion of pilot training in Marianna, Florida, and being commissioned in April, 1944, Currie Boyd Davis was assigned to 366th Fighter Group as a replacement pilot in Europe following the Invasion. From September 1944 he was based at Laon, France and then later in Belgium, flying a total 55 missions, mainly engaged in shooting up railway, roads, bridges, factories, airfields and other stationary targets.
On one occasion Lieutenant Davis' P-47, 'Passion' was hit by hostile fire, obliging him to land behind enemy lines in France. He removed the hatch from his aircraft that had been 'decorated' with the names of the maintenance crew, and, successfully evading capture, later rejoined the Squadron to present the Crew Chief with the remains of 'Passion'.
Davis continued to serve with the Squadron until the end of hostilities, and was credited with shooting down a Fw-190 on New Years' Day, 1945.
Davis was awarded the Air Medal and five oak leaf clusters.
For other information see file, including the text of Davis' poem, 'The Passion'.