US Air Force Flying Helmet Type P-4A

Squadron Leader Maurice Morley wore this flying helmet during his exchange posting to the US Air Force (USAF) in the late 1950s, during which he flew F-102A Delta Dagger interceptors.

The P-4A flying helmet was adopted by the USAF in 1957 and remained in use until the mid-1960s. It has a white fibreglass shell and is fitted with internal padded earphones, adjustable leather webbing and a flip-up tinted plastic visor. Like many US airmen, Morley has added a customised stars and stripes design. Many RAF pilots are sent on exchange postings to other air forces, where they have the opportunity to fly different types of aircraft and gain much valuable experience.