French Airaile Leather Flight Helmet named to Lahouquere
This Airaile type leather flight helmet belonged to a pilot named "Lahouquere." French pilots, as well as some paratroopers, wore this model during the 1930s and early World War II (1939-1945) before the capitulation of the French government.1 It is made of dark brown leather that covers a hard, padded shell. When worn, ear flaps extend down each side and can be adjusted in the back with a lace tie assembly. The ear flaps are lined with soft chamois leather and have openings in each side to accommodate communication earphones (missing).2
On the interior the helmet features an eight tongue leather lining with drawstring. A Guéneau & Cie of Paris manufacturer's label is attached to the interior dome. It includes the date "9 Janvier 1940," order number "3910," size "62" cm, and type "11 Airaile." The size is also stamped in white at the rear. Lahouquere, presumably the original owner of this helmet, wrote his name in black on the lining of the right ear flap.
| France | Interwar Period |
| Flight Helmet | 1940 |
| Guéneau & Cie, Paris | |
| FRH-31-1008 | |
