Category Archives: Cork

The Longest Issued RAF Flying Helmet RFC/RAF Cork Aviation Helmet, 1917-1942 22C/13

Figure 1. August 1918. The earliest close-up image found of the ‘Cork Aviation Helmet’, taken at the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force, Flying School, Ismailia, Egypt, worn by Second Lieutenant Spaulding. This is the RFC 1917 Pattern, ‘Helmet, Cork Aviation’, externally the main shell is near identical to later versions, with puggaree, four side vents and a typical ‘sun helmet’ ventilation gap between the headband and shell. The outer covering at this time was made-up of four segments of cloth, a front and side seam can just be made out. A large rear brim can be seen shading the neck; however it has a very narrow and thin front peak, at this time these peaks were not part of the cork shell but were attached to the canvas cover. Soon, at least by mid-1919, the design was ‘revised’, adding a complete brim and extending the front peak slightly to help shade the face. After a 1926-27 review the liner and earflap fixings were also modified; it stayed in that configuration up to 1942. The ear-pockets can be seen to be holding large diameter gosport tube earpieces. (Image, see here). Continue reading

The Mystery RAF Helmet ‘Helmet, Aviation’ 22C/12

Figure 1. Contemporary documents point to Curtis’s 1916, 2nd patent the ‘Improved “Warren” Safety Helmet’ being the best candidate for the identity of the 1920-1924 RAF listed ‘Helmet, Aviation’ 22C/12. The term ‘Helmets, Aviation’ had been on RFC lists since 1914 and it would seem the term was even then applied to protective helmets of a similar type. The cork structure and the use of vent collets over the ears would imply these helmets were made in the same workshops as sun helmets (images courtesy of Judith Mclay). Continue reading

A Helmet of the Garhwal Rifles 39th (Garhwal) Regiment Bengal Army

The regiment was first raised in 1887 as the Aligarh Levy but was disbanded after disgracing itself at the Rawalpindi Review in 1888. In 1890 it was reformed as the 39th (The Garhwal) Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry. The official title of ‘Rifles’ was received in 1892. The ‘Phoenix’ badge was later dropped, and the Maltese Cross which was in use by the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) was adopted. The regiment fought in both World Wars as well as in the inter-war period and post independence. Continue reading

The Flying Sun Helmets

Discussed here are two types of ‘Flying Sun Helmet’; first, a type of cork crash helmet, which used Colonial Helmet construction methods, but whose primary function was protection from impacts rather than the sun, and secondly a true hybrid sun helmet, whose inception was to protect against the sun whilst flying in exposed cockpits in areas where such hats were traditionally used.

Although the early 1920s to early 1940s ‘Cork Helmet-Aviation’ (a.k.a., ‘RAF Type-A Flying helmet’ or ‘East of Malta Helmet’) is the best known aviator’s sun helmet, with various examples having been covered on this site by Peter Suciu and Roland Gruschka (Refs. 1 & 2), some earlier flying helmets also owe their origins or construction methods to military sun helmets.   Continue reading

Royal Marine Universal Pattern Helmet

By 1905 the British Army had widely adopted the Wolseley pattern sun helmet for use in tropical stations, yet it was only then that the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry adopted a white “colonial pattern” helmet for wear at both home and overseas thus making it a “Universal Pattern Helmet.” Continue reading

Indian Medical Services Named Wolseley

While not a “fighting unit” in the traditional sense, the Indian Medical Service (IMS) was a military medical service in British India. Many of its officers, who were both British and Indian, served in civilian hospitals and the unit saw service in both World Wars – with many of its doctors heading to the front lines with the Indian Army. Continue reading

A Rare Attributed Wolseley

Alfred William Lambart Bayly was born 18th February 1856 in Paisley, Scotland. Educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, England and gazetted as Lieutenant to the 108th Foot 13th June, 1874. He moved to the Bombay Staff Corps 1879 and passed through Staff College in 1893.

The photo above shows Gen Bayly after his appointment to Commandant of the Indian Staff College at Quetta.

He served in the Afghan War of 1880-1881 and was awarded the Afghanistan medal with Kandahar clasp. He also served in the Sudan, 1885 and Burma, 1886-7 earning medals with clasps and The Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. He was made commander of the 126th Bombay Infantry (Baluchistan) Regiment in 1896 and fought in the 2nd Boer War once again being decorated , mentioned in despatches and was made a Companion of the Bath.

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