Original Czech Post-WWII Czechoslovak Air Force Flight Helmet with Oxygen Mask, Avionics, & Flight Goggles - Size 58

Original Item. Only One Available. The Czechoslovak Air Force (Československé letectvo) or the Czechoslovak Army Air Force (Československé vojenské letectvo) was the air force branch of the Czechoslovak Army formed in October 1918. The armed forces of Czechoslovakia ceased to exist on 31 December 1992. By the end of the year, all aircraft of the Czechoslovak Air Force were divided between the Czech Air Force and the Slovak Air Force.

This is a scarce Post-WWII Czech Air Force pilot’s flight helmet set including a canvas summerweight helmet, oxygen mask, flight goggles, and a bag connected to the back with a tube that may be for water.

The helmet is marked Size 58, over 004. The headphones are still retained in the ears, and the tie string on the crown is well-retained. The oxygen mask latches onto the knobs on the earphones, and is designated as a KM-16. The flight goggles are in good shape with the elastic band not torn, with acrylic markings on the rubber. The bag on the back requires some more research.

The neck avionics are retained but the elastic strap is very weak with some holes. A great complete set for a mannequin head.

A great flight helmet set to fill out your collection! Ready for display.

On 30 October 1918, the establishment of the Aviation Corps (Letecký sbor) marked the beginning of the Czechoslovak Air Force. Under the First Republic, the air force was an integral service of the Czechoslovak army. During peacetime, the army aviation was a subordinate agency of the Ministry of National Defence within its 3rd Department of Aviation (III. odbor (letecký) Ministerstva národní obrany) under the command of divisional general Jaroslav Fajfr (as of October 1938). It was anticipated that individual squadrons and flights would be attached to various field corps and divisions in case of war with Germany.

After the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945, the air force was once again organized as an integral part of the army within following ministerial departments:

1945–1950: Air Force Command of the Main Staff (Velitelství letectva hlavního štábu)
1950–1957: Air Force Command (Velitelství letectva)
In mid-1950s, following the example of Soviet Air Defence Forces, the State Air Defence (Protivzdušná obrana státu, PVOS) was formed alongside the Air Force.