South African Air Force Pith Helmet, WWII
This is a South African tropical helmet from WWII (1939-1945). The helmet is covered in green khaki cloth with a wide puggaree band. On each side of the crown are four ventilation holes and on the top of the crown is a ventilation dome. The inside of the helmet is covered in khaki cloth and stained from use. The leather sweatband is missing, however, the metal prongs that held it in place are still present. There are two other metal prongs on either side helmet holding the adjustable leather chinstrap, which is a post-war replacement. On the inside right of the helmet appears to be the manufacturer's stamp, but the only legible markings is the date 1942. The brim contains a soldiers 6 digit serial number and the name Hicks. The brass badge for the South African Air Force is pinned on the outer front. The badge is a circlet of foliage containing a flying bird. At the top is a crown and at the bottom is a ribbon inscribed with S.A.A.F. and S.A.L.M. The former acronym stands for South African Air Force while the later is Suid Afrikaanse Lug Mag. Both English and Afrikaanse were official languages in South Africa, hence the double acronym.
| South Africa | World War II |
| Pith Helmet | 1942 |
| SOH-04-0512 | |
