As a licensed pilot preferring older, simpler aircraft, as well as the history of aviation, I gladly commend you, Sir, for getting everything correct....
Another excellent video. I've been flying a small open-cockpit airplane for almost forty years,, and almost always have worn a leather flying helmet. I own six of them. The exception has been in extremely hot weather, where I'll go, uhh, "commando" on my head. Two drawbacks to this. First, the slipstream tends to shake my hair, which is a bit uncomfortable. Second, I have sensitive eyes, and still have to wear goggles. Without a helmet, there's nothing holding the goggles on my head other than the tension of the strap. I'm always concerned about losing the goggles, though it's never happened. Two additional bits of helmet trivia. First, the Soviets wore leather flying helmet well into the late 20th century, and I believe still wear them today. Their helmets have a foam "crest" crossways atop the head, rather like the brush on a Roman Centurion's helmet. This is actually "keyed" to match a corresponding slot in a hard-shell helmet that could be worn over the leather helmet. So the leather helmet would provide the warmth and connection to the aircraft radio, and the hard shell added if things got rough. Bomber and reconnaissance crew often wore the leather helmet without the hard-shell. I have one of these helmets, though I removed the foam crest. It's a well-made piece of kit. Second, you mentioned the cloth helmets American astronauts wear with their space suits. These are actually called "Snoopy helmets," in honor of the cartoon character and his battle with the Red Baron.
When my father was a boy in the 1930s, he had an aviator helmet for pretending to be a pilot. I think they were very popular for children at the time. I wish he was still alive to enjoy this lovely video!
My mother knited scarves and sweaters for servicemen here in the US throughout the war. She did this during her "spare time" in between working as an accountant for three banks who held defense contracts. Everyone pulled their fair share then. You can be very proud of your family!🇬🇧🇺🇲
9:05 This is a US Navy flight deck crewman helmet, otherwise known as a "cranial". It's not worn by pilots or aircrew, rather by maintainers to both enhance visibility on the flight deck and to provide the same functions as a regular flight helmet.
Must mention the novels Rags The Airman and Biggels, they were given to me by my father who had them during WW2 as a teenager. They were my introduction to airmen and this type of flying hat in the early 1960’s. 👍🙏♥️🇬🇧
one very important aviation headwear missed here: the glider pilot's bucket hat can't wear a baseball cap because the hard button or whatever it is on top of one of those is likely to shatter the canopy if your straps are a bit loose and you're thrown into it, also the peak obstructs the upwards/into-turn view. in a glider you're often thermalling and near other gliders (turning steeply and flying in a circle with other gliders above, below, and at different places on roughly the same circle) so a good lookout is essential. with a bucket hat it keeps the sun off and you can twist the brim here or there as required
As a late teen , I had a little English sports car and rarely used the tent like roof. I had it bad. I wore and aviators helmet and googles when I would go bombing around. Had a monumental week and the helmet and googles kept me alive and unharmed. Then I had to grow up.
That was an oddly interesting video, and I learned a lot of things I didn't thought I wanted to know before. For example I've never seen that (kinda Prussian looking) RAF uniform. A small detail I'd like to add, I know from reading war diaries, biographies, etc. of WW1 pilots that they also smeared their face with whale fat to protect (or at least try to protect) the exposed parts of their skin against the cold. (tho since it's not part of the hat it's not that you missed it, but it's sort of a part of the head "gear", so somewhat relevant to the conversation) Also: I just love Louis Bleriot :D The only guy that might looked even cooler than Graham Hill.
Note that at least as far as the RFC and RNAS are concerned, the first integral communication fittings were not for wireless, but for the Gosport tube that allowed speech between pilot and observer. The first wireless sets could only transmit and not receive, used for signalling corrections to gun batteries. Although sets that could receive were developed during the war, it was decided it was not cost effective to fit them to the existing air fleet but better to introduce them gradually after the war.
Another excellent video! I think your mention of Manfred von Richtofen @5:15 is correct, his whole story and persona was a big influence on pilots everywhere for decades.
im big time into a miniatures aerial combat game (called "wings of glory" by ares games) and for gaming conventions at larger gatherings i wear a ww1 style aviator helmet just for fun and photo ops. it tends to draw a lot of attention to the game, along with the colorful minis of course!
One thing that you overlooked in the military context is that the leather flight helmets are still in use in many former eastern block countries! The soviet union nerver gave up on them but instead designed their helmets to be worn over them. I own an original dated to the late 80s. Funnily they are almost exact copies of german ww2 flight helmets. The only real difference is that they added a very distinctive block of padding square on top of the head. If you take a look at soviet bomber crews, you will find them wearing that exact helmet.
@bostonrailfan2427 the tanker helmet being the original? When flight helmets were a thing, something like 20 years earlier than the tanker helmet.... ok what ever
@@bostonrailfan2427 soviet tank helmet is absolutely different thing, designed mostly to protect from head hit metal in tight internal tank space. Its thick and filled with wool pads all over the head.
In the fifties I had a leather aviator's helment purchased from an army surplus store. I always wore it when riding my bike making wind and machine gun noises. In my tiny mind I was sitll fighting the Huns from an open cockpit biplane.
3 hat recommendations; 1st is the Pakol 2nd is the Sindhi Topi 3rd/lastly is the Himachali Topi Hopefully you can do these 3 hats or at least one of them. Many thanks
Good presentation, but you need to have the camera farther away so the cue card can be closer to the camera - you're looking too far off to your right. Set the camera back farther, put the cue card next to it, and then zoom in. It will correct the off-camera glance.
Your videos are fun and interesting. Subscribed, and I've been working my way though them lately. Thanks for making them. As for hat suggestions, might be neat to get the history of the sock cap (/beanie / toboggan / toque/ knit cap /... so many names for the hat Spock always used to hide his ears). I always remember my dad wearing one when I was a kid. Might be a bit of a difficult episode since I bet hats like that pretty much go back to the start of hats. I also wonder if you'll do any woman's hats. Might be a little awkward modeling them, but I'd be interested in hearing about some, like the cloche hat that was so popular in the 1920s. How hats went from huge and decorated to a little cap would be interesting. Anyway, thanks again. Looking forward to the next one.
Awesome video as always. I recently watched SAS: Rouge Heroes and nothings says British officers than their peaked caps. I was wondering if you'd do a video on this iconic hat which is used not only in the military, but law enforcement, airline pilots and the humble milk man? Thanks!
In scenic/aerobatic flights some version of these canvas helmets are still used for passengers, especially if it is open cockpit flight on something like pitt special, mad biplane from 1950s very resembling planes from 1920s but much more powerful and able. Even in closed cockpits they are used as holder for headset - pilots usually can keep it on their heads as is, but for first time civilian pax who is given aerobatic ride it is not so reliable, they loss headsets too easy and too often... ok, lets do it kindergarten way, put a hat with lockable chin stripe and holder for headset, come here, kids, lets tight it stronger, ok, ready to fly, you never loss it anymore.
They weren't based upon motorcycling gear , or motoring gear. They were contemporary developments. 'Canvas' means little your references. Lighter weight weaved fabrics for warm weather. Leather, with chamois for protection from abrasion. Chin cup straps for faster aircraft. Gosport communication systems. Goggle retainer straps everything you mention was conceived by the conclusion of the first world war Amelia earhart wore off the shelf commercially available 'air associates' helmets. Lindbergh wore a 'Spalding ' (sporting) goods) helmet. The scarf would not be worn with the end flutter about as you show yourself wearing. It's their for chafing in the neck . Early leather jacket , before mid 30s was buttons usually rather than zipper, and ought to be collar stand type. I won't even get started in the subject of goggles. I'm too much of a stickler for accurate goggles to match time frame and helmet types. Genuine authentic esthetic no substitutes.
It might surprise you to find out that construction workers often wear them under their hard hats on chilly days. I suppose if it's positively Arctic they may switch to balaclavas, but often enough it's aviator caps, especially the ones with belt loops if the worker is going to need goggles.
I know you are busy... Thanks for your work. I was at hotel -- the bell boy hat also worn by chimps next to organ grinders. I search. No such video. Do you have a video?
Je suspecte que les casques modernes utilises par les pilotes de cockpit ouvert sont probablement fait de Nomex ignifuge plutôt que de canvas ou cotton. (parlant d'ignifuge, a quand le casque de pompier? :) lol!)
Tank crews sometimes adopted similar hats to aviators (all inherited from yearly motoring) for similar reasons, protection from fire, minor bumps, and to hold communicaton equipment
@hathistorianjc oh that makes sense. Yeah, your video talked about the history with bikes and cars, so I should have been able to make that leap. Thanks for responding. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Awww... I edited away a stupid misspelling and lost my like from the Hathisorian. 😭😭😭
As a licensed pilot preferring older, simpler aircraft, as well as the history of aviation, I gladly commend you, Sir, for getting everything correct....
👍
Another excellent video. I've been flying a small open-cockpit airplane for almost forty years,, and almost always have worn a leather flying helmet. I own six of them. The exception has been in extremely hot weather, where I'll go, uhh, "commando" on my head. Two drawbacks to this. First, the slipstream tends to shake my hair, which is a bit uncomfortable. Second, I have sensitive eyes, and still have to wear goggles. Without a helmet, there's nothing holding the goggles on my head other than the tension of the strap. I'm always concerned about losing the goggles, though it's never happened.
Two additional bits of helmet trivia. First, the Soviets wore leather flying helmet well into the late 20th century, and I believe still wear them today. Their helmets have a foam "crest" crossways atop the head, rather like the brush on a Roman Centurion's helmet. This is actually "keyed" to match a corresponding slot in a hard-shell helmet that could be worn over the leather helmet. So the leather helmet would provide the warmth and connection to the aircraft radio, and the hard shell added if things got rough. Bomber and reconnaissance crew often wore the leather helmet without the hard-shell. I have one of these helmets, though I removed the foam crest. It's a well-made piece of kit.
Second, you mentioned the cloth helmets American astronauts wear with their space suits. These are actually called "Snoopy helmets," in honor of the cartoon character and his battle with the Red Baron.
Les ''effets spéciaux'' de l'introduction sont impressionnants 😊 Bravo pour cette nouvelle vidéo 👍
When my father was a boy in the 1930s, he had an aviator helmet for pretending to be a pilot. I think they were very popular for children at the time. I wish he was still alive to enjoy this lovely video!
Wow, mentioning Pilâtre de Rozier the first aviator. Impressing!
I just realized you’re putting the “hat” for the next episode on your left side!
;)
My late mother claimed that she and her sisters and their mother spent many an evening knitting scarves for the RAF during WWII.
My mother knited scarves and sweaters for servicemen here in the US throughout the war. She did this during her "spare time" in between working as an accountant for three banks who held defense contracts. Everyone pulled their fair share then.
You can be very proud of your family!🇬🇧🇺🇲
9:05 This is a US Navy flight deck crewman helmet, otherwise known as a "cranial". It's not worn by pilots or aircrew, rather by maintainers to both enhance visibility on the flight deck and to provide the same functions as a regular flight helmet.
I love the way they look very heroic yet at the same time somehow comical. Or is it just me because they always remind me of Snoopy?
Fascinating! My mum used to wear a white leather flying helmet while riding pillion behind my dad. Fortunately, she never fell off!
0:05 You were definitely channelling your inner Snoopy there!
Every new video is better than the last
As so many have already said, another great video! Thanks for putting in the research, the time, and the work.
Your biggest fan was in front of you all the time 😂🤣🙏♥️🇬🇧
Haaaaaaaaa :p
Must mention the novels Rags The Airman and Biggels, they were given to me by my father who had them during WW2 as a teenager. They were my introduction to airmen and this type of flying hat in the early 1960’s. 👍🙏♥️🇬🇧
Love the aesthetic and spirit of adventure from this generation of aviation, great video. 👍🏻
American football players in the early days wore them as well.
Nice one... I had a flash of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, although he was often photographed wearing his calot or service cap.
a really excellent presentation
babe wake up new hat historian vid dropped
Ye I am here
@@FoxxoFox at the drop of a hat
one very important aviation headwear missed here: the glider pilot's bucket hat
can't wear a baseball cap because the hard button or whatever it is on top of one of those is likely to shatter the canopy if your straps are a bit loose and you're thrown into it, also the peak obstructs the upwards/into-turn view. in a glider you're often thermalling and near other gliders (turning steeply and flying in a circle with other gliders above, below, and at different places on roughly the same circle) so a good lookout is essential. with a bucket hat it keeps the sun off and you can twist the brim here or there as required
As a late teen , I had a little English sports car and rarely used the tent like roof. I had it bad. I wore and aviators helmet and googles when I would go bombing around. Had a monumental week and the helmet and googles kept me alive and unharmed. Then I had to grow up.
Hello, I have two wool & microfiber canvas under military helmet liner hats. They keep my ears warm indoors and out. " Hey! "
I'd love to see your take on the evolution of racing helmets!
Very intersting indeed. Thank you
Very interesting !
+ I used to wear one when I was a paramotor pilot.
That was an oddly interesting video, and I learned a lot of things I didn't thought I wanted to know before. For example I've never seen that (kinda Prussian looking) RAF uniform.
A small detail I'd like to add, I know from reading war diaries, biographies, etc. of WW1 pilots that they also smeared their face with whale fat to protect (or at least try to protect) the exposed parts of their skin against the cold. (tho since it's not part of the hat it's not that you missed it, but it's sort of a part of the head "gear", so somewhat relevant to the conversation)
Also: I just love Louis Bleriot :D The only guy that might looked even cooler than Graham Hill.
Note that at least as far as the RFC and RNAS are concerned, the first integral communication fittings were not for wireless, but for the Gosport tube that allowed speech between pilot and observer. The first wireless sets could only transmit and not receive, used for signalling corrections to gun batteries. Although sets that could receive were developed during the war, it was decided it was not cost effective to fit them to the existing air fleet but better to introduce them gradually after the war.
Very good and full of details.
You are a fountain of knowledge. Thank you.
Fascinating, as always! Thanks!
Another excellent video! I think your mention of Manfred von Richtofen @5:15 is correct, his whole story and persona was a big influence on pilots everywhere for decades.
Another superb video sir.
I would love to see some videos on medieval hats, like the chaperone or the bycocket 👍
I am sure I'll get around to them eventually!
Most excellent! I hope you can review many more hats 🎩
im big time into a miniatures aerial combat game (called "wings of glory" by ares games) and for gaming conventions at larger gatherings i wear a ww1 style aviator helmet just for fun and photo ops. it tends to draw a lot of attention to the game, along with the colorful minis of course!
I am humming the theme song from "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines" as we speak.
Love your videos! Informative and entertaining.
Having flown an old Gypsy Moth I can attest to the problems of oil splatter from the engine. Goggles were a must.
Informative as always!
You know in movies I mostly saw them when people were riding motorbikes !
Thank you for the video 😊
Always a pleasure seeing a new hat historian vid
YAYY NEWWW DROP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One thing that you overlooked in the military context is that the leather flight helmets are still in use in many former eastern block countries! The soviet union nerver gave up on them but instead designed their helmets to be worn over them. I own an original dated to the late 80s. Funnily they are almost exact copies of german ww2 flight helmets. The only real difference is that they added a very distinctive block of padding square on top of the head. If you take a look at soviet bomber crews, you will find them wearing that exact helmet.
tank crews as well
@bostonrailfan2427 I would not put a baded canvas helmet in the same category, but they for sure they fore share a common ancestor
@@tobiasfreitag2182 …literally the original helmet but with plastic but ok
@bostonrailfan2427 the tanker helmet being the original? When flight helmets were a thing, something like 20 years earlier than the tanker helmet.... ok what ever
@@bostonrailfan2427 soviet tank helmet is absolutely different thing, designed mostly to protect from head hit metal in tight internal tank space. Its thick and filled with wool pads all over the head.
In the fifties I had a leather aviator's helment purchased from an army surplus store. I always wore it when riding my bike making wind and machine gun noises. In my tiny mind I was sitll fighting the Huns from an open cockpit biplane.
Very good essay.
Another great video HatHistorian !
What a great way to start a day! ❤
Awesome vidéo 🙂
Hat historian can you please do a video on the trilby please?
3 hat recommendations;
1st is the Pakol
2nd is the Sindhi Topi
3rd/lastly is the Himachali Topi
Hopefully you can do these 3 hats or at least one of them.
Many thanks
Noted!
@@hathistorianjcthank you my friend I appreciate the acknowledgment
Very well done enjoyed it thank you
Good presentation, but you need to have the camera farther away so the cue card can be closer to the camera - you're looking too far off to your right. Set the camera back farther, put the cue card next to it, and then zoom in. It will correct the off-camera glance.
I always enjoy these videos and as I pilot - thank you doing the aviator helmet.
Very good lesson, yet again!
Thank-you!
Your videos are fun and interesting. Subscribed, and I've been working my way though them lately. Thanks for making them.
As for hat suggestions, might be neat to get the history of the sock cap (/beanie / toboggan / toque/ knit cap /... so many names for the hat Spock always used to hide his ears). I always remember my dad wearing one when I was a kid. Might be a bit of a difficult episode since I bet hats like that pretty much go back to the start of hats.
I also wonder if you'll do any woman's hats. Might be a little awkward modeling them, but I'd be interested in hearing about some, like the cloche hat that was so popular in the 1920s. How hats went from huge and decorated to a little cap would be interesting.
Anyway, thanks again. Looking forward to the next one.
Great video!
Best niche channel on YT! Great addition to the series. I suggest a video on the peaked cap in the future. Merci!
Good to see you back. Great video as always. Merci
Awesome video as always. I recently watched SAS: Rouge Heroes and nothings says British officers than their peaked caps. I was wondering if you'd do a video on this iconic hat which is used not only in the military, but law enforcement, airline pilots and the humble milk man? Thanks!
Really interesting.Thank you.
I love your videos!
I love watching the same video in English and French ❤
How about a video on the ‘Boonie’ bush hat? Love your channel btw!
Love seeing these hats in action lol
at 8:06, I believe that is a hardened flak helmet to go with his flak vest.
Snoopy approves!
Love, love, love you, HH :o)
Great video ! Could i ask what googles are you using with it ?
Just costume ones from Amazon
@@hathistorianjc thanks
I'm seriously amazed at how you pull off these crazy hat tips. Good on you. However, one day you will fail, and I will be there
*Evil laughter *
I believe the next most important cap is the wheel/visor cap, unless you’ve already done one…
Reminds me of Biggles 2:07
Monty Python Biggles or the 1986 movie?
these were adapted by the tank corps as well, where they needed protection from banging their heads while being light and flexible…
Maybe a video about a hat called Rogatywka?
I have one, I hope to get to it eventually!
In scenic/aerobatic flights some version of these canvas helmets are still used for passengers, especially if it is open cockpit flight on something like pitt special, mad biplane from 1950s very resembling planes from 1920s but much more powerful and able.
Even in closed cockpits they are used as holder for headset - pilots usually can keep it on their heads as is, but for first time civilian pax who is given aerobatic ride it is not so reliable, they loss headsets too easy and too often... ok, lets do it kindergarten way, put a hat with lockable chin stripe and holder for headset, come here, kids, lets tight it stronger, ok, ready to fly, you never loss it anymore.
Merci
I would like to see a video the bucket hats
Note Igor Sikorsky's headwear while operating an early helicopter --
ua-cam.com/video/PnbKZOG2gII/v-deo.html
ACES HIGH!!!!!♠️♠️♠️🫡🫡🫡
yesss new hat historian video dropped while i’m making a hat
Where is your kennel?
They weren't based upon motorcycling gear , or motoring gear. They were contemporary developments.
'Canvas' means little your references. Lighter weight weaved fabrics for warm weather. Leather, with chamois for protection from abrasion. Chin cup straps for faster aircraft. Gosport communication systems. Goggle retainer straps everything you mention was conceived by the conclusion of the first world war
Amelia earhart wore off the shelf commercially available 'air associates' helmets. Lindbergh wore a 'Spalding ' (sporting) goods) helmet. The scarf would not be worn with the end flutter about as you show yourself wearing. It's their for chafing in the neck . Early leather jacket , before mid 30s was buttons usually rather than zipper, and ought to be collar stand type.
I won't even get started in the subject of goggles. I'm too much of a stickler for accurate goggles to match time frame and helmet types. Genuine authentic esthetic no substitutes.
Their design was also adapted by tank crews, often padded and worn under a helmet.
It might surprise you to find out that construction workers often wear them under their hard hats on chilly days. I suppose if it's positively Arctic they may switch to balaclavas, but often enough it's aviator caps, especially the ones with belt loops if the worker is going to need goggles.
I know you are busy... Thanks for your work. I was at hotel -- the bell boy hat also worn by chimps next to organ grinders. I search. No such video. Do you have a video?
You looked just like Antoine de St-Exupery at the start of the video.
Times have changed!! Look at a what modern US military door gunner wears! DEFINITELY looks like Empire Star Trooper wear!!
Je suspecte que les casques modernes utilises par les pilotes de cockpit ouvert sont probablement fait de Nomex ignifuge plutôt que de canvas ou cotton. (parlant d'ignifuge, a quand le casque de pompier? :) lol!)
I think the soviet style tanker helmets are a derivative of the aviator helmet.
Howdy! Can you make a video on the history of the Santa Claus hat?
So we should really be calling it the Bleriot Cap.
no reference to Señor Biggles? bah!
Question... it looks like the Soviet and Russian tank crews wear a hat similar to this; are they connected in any way?
Tank crews sometimes adopted similar hats to aviators (all inherited from yearly motoring) for similar reasons, protection from fire, minor bumps, and to hold communicaton equipment
@hathistorianjc oh that makes sense. Yeah, your video talked about the history with bikes and cars, so I should have been able to make that leap. Thanks for responding. I thoroughly enjoy your videos.
Awww... I edited away a stupid misspelling and lost my like from the Hathisorian. 😭😭😭
I was wondering how you were going to "tip" your aviator "hat to" us!
It was a little bit of a challenge :p
@@hathistorianjc I noticed.
The correct idiom is “The sky’s the limit”.
aircraft carrier flight crews wear aviator helmets.
You need to take a biplane ride.
Often... like in wearing seat belt in airliner, helmets regularly were only g00d for identifying the bodies 🤢😵
How is this a helmet? It is a soft leather cap.