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LKpS101

 

Type LKpS101 cloth summer flying helmet

 

Fl. Kopfhaube Gr. 62

Baumuster LKpS101

Gerät Nr. 124-436B

Werk Nr. -

Anf. Z. Ln26617

Acceptance stamp date 10 September 1942

Siemens

Lieferer: Luftfahrtgerätewerk Hakenfelde GmbH

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When introduced in 1938 the '101 series by Siemens featured some significant improvements over its predecessor, mainly regarding communications and wearing comfort.

The LkpS101 was the summer counterpart of the LkpW101 and maintained the same basic pattern and material throughout the war. Production quality suffered towards the end of WWII, though, with lower quality metal fittings more prone to corrosion.

 

This satin-lined specimen, size 62 and manufactured by Luftfahrtgerätewerk Hakenfelde GmbH was accepted on 10 September 1942. The earphones are located in Ln26602 plastic housings and leather covered rubber earcups. While providing more efficient sound insulation, their new shape also improved the fit of goggle straps. By re-arranging the throat mike attachment at the back of the helmet, the former (Mi4b carbon laryngophones in oval reddish bakelit housings) were much more comfortable to wear. The long wiring loom was typical for early examples and ended in a Luftwaffe standard 4-pole plug (GB Brechkupplung BLKv FL27560).

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Model 295 flying goggles

 

Developed in the 1930ies under the designation « Fliegerschutz-brille « (flyer protection goggles) this type features painted metal frames (early specimen in brass, late war production in aluminium), housing optically correct curved lenses which provide a wide field of vision.

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A one piece rubber face pad affords adequate protection from the elements in open cockpits or exposed crew positions while a ribbed elastic strap keeps the goggles on the wearer's head.

TThe rubber gface pad of this specimen hast he moulded name „Mica“ on the inside. According to Final Report No.318 by the British Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee, p.14, Mica was a rubber supplier located in the former Sudetenland (i.e. the native German-speaking regions within the borders of the current Czech Republic).

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Colors and styles of Model 295 goggles can vary significantly as they were produced by a number of manufacturers over a long period of time.

 

A variation designated « Windschutzbrille » (wind protection goggles) was designed, featuring an additional strap to pass under the chin of the aircrewman, intended to avoid the goggle being torn of in the slipstream of open cockpits or exposed crew positions, e.g. gunners who had to swivel their heads while scanning the hostile sky for enemy aircraft.

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