{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-bomber-crew-m3-steel-flak-helmet-with-complete-liner-od-green-chinstrap-felt-cushions-intact","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Bomber Crew M3 Steel FLAK Helmet with Complete Liner \u0026 OD Green Chinstrap - Felt Cushions Intact","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent U.S. Army Air Forces WWII issue M3 Flak Helmet! World War Two American bomber crews in the skies over Europe needed something more than their leather flying helmets to provide them with shrapnel injuries, however it took a surprisingly long time for a new helmet to be developed and deployed to meet that need. Not until December of 1943 did the M3 reach the ETO, it was the first of three versions of the American flak helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most notable aspects of the M3 is its M1 profile; it's like the steel pot, but with hinged armored ear cups that were used to accommodate the headsets worn by the aircrews. These were then secured with a canvas chin strap, which also had a snap in it, for quick removal if needed. They were originally issued with standard paint finishes, but later made examples have the same \"flocked\" paint job carried over to the M5 flak helmet. It is flocked inside and out, under the liner, so we have no reason to believe that it is retrofitted. This type of coating would help prevent fingers from freezing to the helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is offered in great overall condition with the full liner and OD Green chinstrap intact, with a functional snap on the chinstrap. Another rarity is that both felt cushion pads are retained on the interior sides of each armored ear cup. The glue used to hold these in unfortunately reacts with the paint over time, causing rust, so they usually fall off, but these two are intact with oxidation staining on the steel underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior paint is still in good shape, with some of the original flocking retained, and a moderate amount of scuffing and paint loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, an excellent piece worthy of adding to any WWII, Army Air Force, or helmet collection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46087858257989,"sku":"ONJROCPC099","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/6D85D519-F2C6-4EF4-8DC2-4F00FDAC5B88.jpg?v=1792609543","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-bomber-crew-m3-steel-flak-helmet-with-complete-liner-od-green-chinstrap-felt-cushions-intact","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}