Luftwaffe Steel-Reinforced Flying Helmet SKK-90
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 22.GOR.01.02.03.004.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
This is an extremely well preserved example of a rarely encountered Luftwaffe Pilot’s SKK-90 Anti-Flak Flight helmet manufactured by Siemens. This helmet is round, in the shape of half a medicine ball, constructed of interlocking and hinged steel plates (magnetic) designed to protect the wearer’s head from anti-aircraft shrapnel. The entire helmet is covered in multiple pieces of thick dark brown leather, with cutouts around the ears, designed to accommodate the earphones used by the Luftwaffe. The interior of the helmet is lined in olive-green cotton-rayon blended fabric, stitched into place using brown cotton twill, and featuring a manufacturing tag from Siemens. The tag reads “Siemens - Baumuster SSK 90 - Hersteller Luftfahrtgerätewerk Hakenfelde GMBH, Striwa - Kopfgröße”. The crown of the cap features a padded leather “comb”, designed to absorb frontal impact in the event of a crash landing. Towards the left and right sides are two male-ended button snaps, with leather retainers. The chin strap is constructed of multiple pieces of black-tanned leather, and snaps into both of the button-snaps per side. The chin strap loops through a metal loop, and snaps into a button-snap on a keeper-tab. This helmet measures approximately 260 mm x 225m mm x 160 mm tall. It is in gently worn condition, with light scuffing on the exterior liner, and light to moderate staining on the interior liner from sweat. In overall extremely fine condition.
Luftwaffe Flying Helmets include unlined or fleece or fur-lined models for summer or winter use, respectively. Models come with or without earphones and oxygen mask fittings.
Summer flying helmets were made of brown linen, while winter helmets were made of brown leather.
The downside of flying helmets was their inability to shield the wearer from any serious threats. This became evident with the increase in anti-aircraft cannons that flying personnel had to deal with, especially as a danger in the form of shrapnel.
Initially, only regular steel helmets were available, worn over the flying helmets. On May 8, 1941 a newly designed steel-enforced brown leather flying helmet with the designation SKK-90 was introduced to be worn over the regular flying helmets. Its most distinctive feature is a leather “comb” at the front. According to one source, it was meant to absorb shock if the wearer hit his head; however, another source states it was meant as a grab pad to allow for quick single-handed removal. The SKK-90 has cut-out parts over the ears to accommodate the flying helmet’s earphone pieces.
The sole manufacturer of this helmet was the company Siemens.
The SKK-90 proved too heavy and uncomfortable. It was deemed unacceptable for front service just two weeks after its official introduction.
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