RAF ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN’ D TYPE OXYGEN MASK w/ MARK II GOGGLE STRAP

RESERVED
 
For sale from my private Battle of Britain collection is a superb and very rare example of the RAF Type D Oxygen Mask. 6D/105.
 
The cornerstone of any Battle of Britain collection, the Type D Oxygen Mask is one of the most synonymous items of flying kit associated with the Battle of Britain and early war period. Constructed from a very fine barathea wool, the mask was chamois lined with internal cardboard and solder wire helping shape the mask to the wearer’s face. In practice the masks did not usually provide a sufficient enough seal, and oxygen leakage was common.
 
The mask is in great to excellent condition. As the photos show the outside of the mask has some moth damage and a few sympathetic repairs, but on the whole the external appearance is excellent for display. Of all of the D Masks I have seen and owned, this is definitely one of the better ones. It has a wonderful shape to it, and the interior chamois is still in excellent condition. The mounting ring has only little surface wear.
 
What makes this particular mask special is the addition of a Mark II Goggle Strap as a means of securing the mask to a helmet. When the mask was originally purchased it came with an elasticated strap, stitched in place, which had rather unfortunately perished. To keep the mask as authentic as possible an original Mark II Goggle Strap was stitched in its stead, using the original stitch holes. This makes for a wonderful and unusual display piece. Period photos show a myriad of ways the D Masks were modified, so my inclination is that this one was used as a microphone carrier.
 
I have included some photos of how I originally had the mask set up to show how the small areas of damage are obscured once displayed with a B Type Flying Helmet and goggles.
 
This is a great opportunity to obtain what is, for many, the holy grail of Battle of Britain flying kit, and a great investment item. A reluctant sale due to a minor upgrade within my collection.
 
Please note: only the D Type Oxygen Mask is for sale, and the other items are for demonstration purposes only.