Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 389:
Description
Luftwaffe LKp S 101 ‘Fliegerkopfhaube Sommer’ Summer Flying Helmet by Siemens-Apparate u. Maschinen G.m.b.H., Geraet-Nr. 124-436B, Anf. Z. Ln 26617, complete with earphones, dual throat microphones, wiring harness and four-pole breakaway connecting plug. Offered here is a fully fitted German Luftwaffe LKp S 101 summer flying helmet, the standard lightweight warm-weather headgear issued to fighter pilots and aircrew throughout the war. Retaining its avionics suite – twin Kehlkopfmikrofon throat microphones, cushioned earphone receivers, connecting harness, and a black bakelite four-pole breakaway plug – this example presents essentially as it left Luftwaffe stores, ready to be wired directly into an aircraft’s onboard intercom and radio circuit. No separate published biography or unit attribution accompanies the piece; its story is told entirely through the maker’s label and inspection markings sewn into the crown. Introduced before the outbreak of hostilities as a breathable alternative to the shearling-lined LKp W 101 winter pattern, the LKp S 101 was constructed of a tan flecked cotton-linen shell over a smooth satin/rayon lining, intended for use in the cockpit during warmer months or in temperate theaters where the bulkier winter helmet was unnecessary. Siemens, already a principal contractor for German aviation electronics, engineered the integrated throat-microphone and earphone assembly to interface with the Luftwaffe’s standardized onboard intercom and radio sets, allowing pilots to communicate with crew and ground control without removing the helmet – a small but telling piece of engineering that reflects the increasing technical sophistication of German aircrew equipment as the war progressed. The crown carries a clear, fully legible woven label reading Fl. Kopfhaube Gr., Baumuster LKp S 101, Geraet-Nr. 124-436B, Anf. Z. Ln 26617, and Hersteller Siemens-Apparate u. Maschinen G.m.b.H., overstamped with a faded red ink inspection mark. The hard-molded black leather ear covers retain their fleece-cushioned surrounds, each housing an earphone unit visible beneath the sheepskin padding, with a rear web adjustment strap and nickel-finish buckle at the crown. The leather chin straps and harness remain supple, with buckle hardware present at the chin closure, and the paired throat-microphone elements sit on their own leather strap with attached wiring. The rubber-sheathed wiring harness runs from the earcups and microphones to a junction and terminates in the black bakelite four-pole breakaway connector, its housing and contacts showing only light service wear. The outer cloth shell displays light, even age toning and minor surface soiling consistent with storage and limited period use, with no significant tears or losses to the fabric. The satin lining shows expected handling wear and some discoloration but remains sound, the fleece ear surrounds are full and intact, and the wiring insulation, while supple, exhibits only minor surface crazing typical of vintage rubber compounds; electrical function has not been tested. A well-preserved and complete Siemens-made LKp S 101 summer flying helmet, its avionics intact and its maker’s label crisply legible – an increasingly hard-to-find example of genuine Luftwaffe aircrew flight equipment.
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