In the mid-seventies I was on Puma squadron when our Mk3 helmet boxes were withdrawn and replaced with nancy helmet bags. Roughing it in the sticks a helmet box was invaluable as a camp bedside table to keep all your goodies in.
A couple of months later we had a dispersal exercise to a disused airfield where a hangar was occupied by Staravia; a used aircraft spares organisation. I was chatting to the bloke that looked after the hangar about flightworthy Goblin engines and suchlike that they had in store when I came upon a huge pile of helmet boxes. Two minutes rummaging around and then I found mine.
Clutching it like a long lost baby I asked him how much. He told me to take it as they were probable going to be burned.
Comfort was restored in the sticks.