Flying helmet worn by Nancy Bird Walton after 1945
Object No. 90/335
This flying helmet was used by Australia's most well-known female aviator, the late Nancy Bird Walton (1915-2009). It was part of the protective clothing required of pilots in the early decades of aviation when flying was undertaken in open cockpits exposed to the elements. By all accounts of Nancy's early aviation career, flying this way was all part of the attraction and exhilaration. Consequently, the flying helmet captures and personifies Nancy's love of flying. Born in 1915, Nancy became the youngest woman pilot in the Commonwealth in 1932 and the first woman to operate a commercial licence in 1935, at the age of 19 (the youngest age at which a commercial licence was available). Her first flying lesson was taken with Charles Kingsford-Smith. Nancy was also the first non-American entrant in the annual Powder Puff Derby air race, as well as the female victor for several Australian air race competitions such as the Brisbane to Adelaide air race. Nancy's skills as an aviatrix were well applied in her role with the Far West Children's Health Scheme where she ran an aerial ambulance and clinic out of Bourke. This service was invaluable in providing health care services to various communities in regional and outback New South Wales. When Nancy was at Bourke, she was the sole source of what became known as 'mercy' flights, taking baby health clinics to families. During the 1930s, she also flew the only charter aircraft in south-west Queensland and lobbied, unsuccessfully, for a similar air service to be established out of Charleville. While Nancy was responsible for starting the Australian Women's Pilots' Association, she has also contributed to many other aspects of Australian life including the Liberal Party, the National Heart Foundation and the Asthma Foundation. Nancy also helped to launch the New South Wales Air Ambulance and was actively involved with many smaller community-based organisations up until her death in January 2009. Written by Margaret Simpson, Curator, October 2019
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Flying helmet, leather / metal, maker unknown, probably made in England, used by Nancy Bird Walton, Australia, after 1945
Physical Description
Flying helmet of dark blue painted leather lined with machine sewn cotton fabric and with a chin strap and buckle. There are press stud retainers sewn on either side of the helmet to secure flying goggles straps so that they would not blow off in the wind. The helmet features ear shields fitted with fine metal net on the inside of the helmet and brass plate buttons on the outside.
DIMENSIONS
Height
270 mm
Width
260 mm
Depth
250 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The earliest flying helmets were adapted from those worn by motorcycle riders. They offered a degree of protection from the elements and kept the head warm from the icy blasts for both pilots and passengers sitting in open cockpits. Leather had the advantage of being warm, flexible enough to fit the curve of the wearer's head, durable, dustproof, weatherproof and to a certain extent, fireproof. As aircraft developed so too did the flying helmet design. Modifications were made to take a Gosport tube which was chrome or stainless earpiece that connected to a speaking tube to enable conversation with others in the cockpit. However, both wind and engine noise limited the effectiveness of this.
HISTORY
Notes
Nancy Bird Walton wore this flying helmet after 1945 when flying in various types of aircraft with open cockpits. The helmet was donated to the Museum in 1990 by Nancy Bird Walton, along with Nancy's flying goggles (object number 90/334).
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs Nancy Bird Walton, AO OBE, 1990
Acquisition Date
30 March 1990
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry