Open Cockpit Helmet
 

I was wondering if anyone could recommend / suggest a good helmet for vintage open cockpit aeroplanes. Particularly the Tiger Moths. I don't really feel like having a motorcycle helmet, as I feel that would not keep a little bit of authenticity.

That said, I presently own a trusty pair of DavidClarks H10-30 which have been with me since I started flying, but also a more modern Bose A20 (which I now absolutely adore), and ideally I would be looking for a leather / cloth helmet that could accommodate either a DC H10-30 or Bose A20.

A little googling brought up a company called Gibson-Barnes who produce helmets that fit the headsets - does anyone have any experience with them?

Am I completely barking at the wrong tree? Anyone got any better suggestions, to keep a little authenticity but also keep my hearing intact?

Thanks.
Alex

Take out a small mortgage and get one of these.

Failing that, get an Alpha Eagle or try eBay. In an open cockpit, you ought to have some sort of impact protection which a leather helmet will not provide.

We operate a fleet of Tigers at Henstridge and they are all fitted with the Lynx system and headsets. These fit into the soft leather type helmet. The intercom is fantastically clear and the noise level is pretty good. If you would like to visit and have a listen....do!

Lynx is probably the best of a good bunch regularly used in open cockpit microlights.

They do use their own plugs and approach to power so you really need the whole helmet / intercom system - just the helmet alone may not work.

Alternatively, there are Lynx and Communica helmets that will just go over the top of your DCs. If you only plan to fly open cockpit a few tens of hours a year, then this will be a much more cost effective option, and perfectly workable.

But, basically, look to the microlight world.

G

I don't know what brand it was but I used to use something very similar to the Gibson-Barnes cloth helmet with a DC headset. It was great.

I've used a Gibson-Barnes cloth helmet with the DC noise-canceling headset to fly acro for ten years or so. It's fiddly to install, and the earmuffs have a tendency to fall off when you're not using it, but it certainly does the job and stays firmly in place even through the most extreme manoeuvres (outside loops, tumbles, ...)

GTE & VintageWizard,

Thank you very much for pointing out the Lynx system, I have seen those before, but always thought that although probably the best of the lot for comfort, price, health n' safety...etc... (except maybe the Campbell AeroClassic ones which I have read, and heard were by far the best ones produced today) that it didn't really look right in a beautiful Tiger Moth. (I am probably wrong... But attempting to keep the vintage aspect of it...)

I was thinking of flying to Henstridge a little later this year, so I may PM you a little closer to the time VintageWizard (if you don't mind!) You may well persuade me otherwise!

n5296s & AerocatS2A - thank you, they looked pretty well made, whilst keeping in line with the tiger era. Are they comfortable? And the active noise cancelling isn't ruined by the air rushing past the pickups?

Thank you again for your time & opinions!
Alex

I used to fly a Tiger Moth with an ex-RAF Mk4A helmet. Although not 'vintage' it gave excellent noise attenuation and also protection should the worst happen. There's often well priced good examples on eBay, but worth having it serviced or checked over before use, obviously.

Comfort is a relative thing when it comes to aerobatics, but let's say it's not distracting. The Pitts has a closed canopy, but I've also worn it in open cockpit aircraft (Waco, Great Lakes). Surprisingly there is no air rushing past, it's surprisingly calm within the envelope of the cockpit. The Pitts is extremely noisy though - the DC copes with it but my Lightspeed headsets don't like it at all.

campbell aero classics
 

what do these guys charge for a typical helmet!

It's some time since I looked last but ISTR it wasn't far off NZ$3000. Cost over here is somewhat exchange rate dependent.