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IJNAF 1930 TYPE, LATE PATTERN

SUMMER HELMET

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This late pattern 1930 Type summer helmet of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force was standardized in the mid 1930s and is basically of identical construction to the early version. The hinged eraflaps, instead, would now button back horizontally.

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This specimen is unlined. The stitching noticeable on the right top of the helmet is an evidence for the manufacturer labels inside the helmet.

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TOA flying goggles

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The TOA Safety Glass Company at Kamata, Tokyo, produced a number of “hawk eye” goggles styles available in several colors and shades of brown, red brown and burgundy for the frames, padded rolls and goggle strap as well as goggles with tinted lenses. The frames feature the manufacturer's logo showing a stylized propeller in front of the sun, embossed near the strap attachment points. The reddish brown elasticized adjustable strap ends in small leather tags, which are attached to the frames by means of open metal rings.

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The TOA Company also produced the goggles shown here, featuring platinum colored, respectively unpainted, aluminum frames sewn onto a white velveteen padded cushion. These goggles have been seen with both a brown and a white goggle strap and is the only company known to have produced this style of goggle. The white variation goggles have been seen in period photographs worn by naval aviators only and is believed to have been worn by officers acting as flight leaders as a form of visual identification. Since many Japanese aircraft were not equipped with radios these goggles made the flight leader very visible in the cockpit, even in multiple crew aircraft.

 

TOA goggles came in an brown oval cardboard container with a silver/white hawk clutching the logo printed on the lid. The company logo is the circular emblem in the hawk’s talons and not the hawk itself. TOA goggles have been seen with light blue or tan color cleaning clothes in small or large size bearing the TOA Company logo.

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IJNAF throat microphone

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This example, of which only one photographic reference exists to our knowledge, consists of two black plastic covered laryngophones with metal fittings which are sewn into two black leather pockets. Between these pockets are two stud fasteners, the purpose of which is not confirmed. The black leather strap can be adjusted by a buckle while a braided cord exits the strap and ends into a metal 3-pole plug. 

 

No technical or historical information about this specific type of naval throat microphone has been available. Any help by our visitors would be welcome.

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