BOB Pilot Flying Gear

**gbalke** · 12-24-2016, 03:34 AM

I received these pieces in the mail yesterday, a complete second pattern E Type flying helmet named to P/O A.R.F. Thompson along with his Type H oxygen mask. When I bought the helmet and mask, all I knew about Thompson was that he was a Captain with B.O.A.C. after the war. A simple Google of his name resulted in information pertaining to his RAF service with 249 Squadron during the Battle of Britain and other assignments during the war. Let me know what you guys think.

**MAP** · 12-24-2016, 05:26 AM

A great set with provenance! Nice!

**wizardman** · 12-24-2016, 08:22 AM

Great pickup..i just got googles that match that set

**gbalke** · 12-26-2016, 09:21 PM

by wizardman

Great pickup..i just got googles that match that set

Do you mean that the goggles you have belonged to the same pilot or late war type goggles?

I have this pair of in-box MK IIIA goggles on their way to me now from Australia. Look amazing in the photos, can't wait to see them in hand.

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 12-26-2016, 10:35 PM

I'm fairly sure that these appeared on: 'Antiques Roadshow' earlier this year. I think the pilot flew a version of the Sunderland flying boat, the Short Solent. If it wasn't this set, it was a set just like it.

**wizardman** · 12-26-2016, 11:53 PM

not the same pilot, but BOB glasses

**Studly** · 12-27-2016, 12:27 AM

Very Nice Late type E helmet you have picked up, most of these type are usually small, is this the case with this one?.

Cheers
Greg

**gbalke** · 12-27-2016, 02:12 AM

by Studly

Very Nice Late type E helmet you have picked up, most of these type are usually small, is this the case with this one?.

Cheers
Greg

Thanks Greg, This E Type is a size 4

and the mask is a Large.

**gbalke** · 12-27-2016, 02:17 AM

by HARRY THE MOLE

I'm fairly sure that these appeared on: 'Antiques Roadshow' earlier this year. I think the pilot flew a version of the Sunderland flying boat, the Short Solent. If it wasn't this set, it was a set just like it.

That is some interesting information, I assume it would be the UK's version of the show? I'll have to look into that.

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 12-27-2016, 11:43 AM

by gbalke

That is some interesting information, I assume it would be the UK's version of the show? I'll have to look into that.

Yes, it was the UK version. But as I say I could be wrong. It was an episode broadcast from the 'Flying Scotsman.' The episode was in series 39 and called: 'Golden Age Of Travel.'

Update... I've tracked the episode down, and the helmet shown is actually a 'B' type with Gosport tubes. The only bit I got right was the fact it was worn by a former WW2 pilot when flying for B. O. A. C. Apologies for building your hopes up.