Wwii Army Air

WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2

WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2

WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2
Very nice original vintage WWII US Army Air Corps M5 Flak Helmet. There is the usual surface scuffs and scratches due to the crews bumping their heads on equipment etc during the many bombing runs over the skies of Europe.

There is no serious damage however, and most surprisingly of all, there are no dents. Both hinges are fully intact and functional with no damage. The paint is still intact with about 90% coverage, some small areas with discoloration as seen in the photos. The liner is intact and in very good condition, the leather is very dry and missing one of the three attachment points but is still securely attached and not going anywhere. The only real issue is the leather chin strap which as seen in the photos has completely dried out and crumbled and is only attached by the stitching.

Luckily the M5 incorporates the same chin strap attachments as the M1 Steel helmet so they can be replaced. Theses are quite rare helmets and dont appear all that often. For any additional photos or information please dont hesitate to ask.

During World War Two American bomber crews in the skies over Europe needed something more than their leather flying helmets to protect them from shrapnel injuries. In December of 1943 the M3 was first issued to flight crews in the European theatre of operations. It was the first of three versions of the American flak helmet. The M4 followed, and in January 1945, this model, the M5, became the standard issue to bomber crews. Like the previous models, the M5 is a three-piece steel helmet comprising a skull and deep hinged ear-flaps.

The ear flaps were modified compared to the M3 and M4, and made deeper to provide additional protection to the wearer's cheeks. The chin straps were now clipped to swivel bales, for more easy replacement, an advancement that made its way to the M1 helmet in the post war period. They were also made of leather, as with the M4 flak helmet, and had a suede interior. The M1-style front brim was also removed. Also, instead of the M4's cloth cover, the M5 has standard olive drab paint, but it is covered with a thin "flocked" fuzzy covering, which prevents fingers and skin from freezing to the helmet surface. The item "WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2" is in sale since Friday, March 29, 2019.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "albrer_62" and is located in Montgomery, Texas. This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States


WW2 WWII US Army Air Corps Force M5 Flak Helmet Steel Pot B17 Crew M1 M3 M4a2