British oxygen masks

The following information is primarily based on information dated 1984 or before. Later developments have only been reflected spuriously as I have come across them.

A-13A Pressure demand mask. A-13A with strap suspension harness and "UK" 191A2 connector. Acquired from MSA in the USA in 1950 when the D-1 demand oxygen regulator was introduced in the RAF.

A-13A/1 Pressure demand mask. A-13A with strap suspension harness and ?? connector.

A-13A/2 Pressure demand mask. A-13A with toggle harness and "UK" MC-3A connector.

A-13A/3 Pressure demand mask. Configuration ???.

A-13A/4 Pressure demand mask. A-13A with toggle harness and Mk.7 bayonet connector (6D/2053).

Type A First Royal Flying Corps oxygen mask.

Type B Introduced in the 1920s.

Type C Introduced in the 1930s.

Type D Introduced in the late 1930s. Standard oxygen mask by the beginning of WWII.

Type E Economizer mask (also used with continuous flow systems). Developed in 1940. First British oxygen mask made of rubber.

Type E* Modifed E mask incorporating some of the changes foreseen for the Type F.

Type F Economizer mask. Development begun late 1940 but it was cancelled by the Air Ministry.

Type G Economizer mask. Development started in from 1941 and production started in 1942.

Type H Economizer mask. Developed from 1943 and entered into production in 1944. Elastic with stud attachment. Still in use by 1982 in Jet Provost Mk.3/4, and  Shackleton.

Type H1A Economizer mask. Turnbuckle attachment. Used on Jet Provost Mk.3/4, Shackleton.

Type H2 Economizer mask. Elastic with ?? attachment. Used on Jet Provost Mk.3/4, Shackleton.

Type J Economizer mask for use with pressure waistcoat (jerkin). In use from early 1950s.

Type K Continuous flow oxygen mask with rebreather bag. For use by passengers in BOAC and RAF Transport Command. Developed by Siebe Gorman. Never entered service use as Type L was selected instead.

Type L Continuous flow mask with re-breather bag. For use by passengers in BOAC and RAF Transport Command. Developed by IAM and entered into service late 1946.

Type M Pressure breathing mask. Used together with a pressure jerkin. in use from early 1950s. Used in Canberra B.2. No longer in used by 1969.

Type N Pressure demand mask. Designed to supercede the A-13A. Marred by production problems and modifications. No longer in use by 1969.

Type P/Q Pressure demand mask. Introduced in the late 1950s, Type P/Q has been the RAF's standard oxygen mask for most aircraft since. The P/Q facepiece is also used in Type S. T and V masks. Type Q is similar in design but smaller than Type P. The different designation was only introduced because the Type Q contract was given to a different company than the one producing Type P.

Type P1 Pressure demand mask. Toggle harness, MC-3A/1 connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra (LL), Hunter, Jet Provost Mk.5.

Type P1A Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), MC-3A/1 connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra (LL), Hunter, Jet Provost Mk.5.

Type P2 Pressure demand mask. Toggle harness, Mk.7 bayonet connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Andover, Dominie, Hercules.

Type P2A Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), Mk.7 bayonet connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Andover, Dominie, Hercules by 1982. Since it is the only Type P version with a Mk. 7 bayonet connector in the 1969 edition of AP 3456E it must have been used in most RAF ejection seat equipped aircraft by 1969 including the Canberra, Lightning, Victor and Vulcan.

Type P2C Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), Mk.7 bayonet connector, anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra PR.9, Lightning, Victor, Vulcan by 1982.

Type P3 Not in use by 1982.

Type P4 Not in use by 1982.

Type P5 Not in use by 1982.

Type P6 Pressure demand mask. Turnbuckle, Mk.7 bayonet, same as P2 but for attachment to headset. Used on Andover, VC.10.

Type P7 Not in use by 1982.

Type P8C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, restraint cord, anti-suffocation valve. Used on Buccaneer, Hawk, Tornado.

Type P9C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, anti-suffocation valve, comms cord for Mk.4 helmet. Used on Hawk, Tornado.

Type P10C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, anti-suffocation valve, new comms cord for Mk.4 helmet. Used on Tornado.

Type Q1 Pressure demand mask. Toggle harness, MC-3A/1 connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra (LL), Hunter, Jet Provost Mk.5.

Type Q1A Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), MC-3A/1 connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra (LL), Hunter, Jet Provost Mk.5.

Type Q2 Pressure demand mask. Toggle harness, Mk.7 bayonet connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Andover, Dominie, Hercules.

Type Q2A Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), Mk.7 bayonet connector, no anti-suffocation valve. Used on Andover, Dominie, Hercules. Since it is the only Type Q version with a Mk. 7 bayonet connector in the 1969 edition of AP 3456E it must have been used in most RAF ejection seat equipped aircraft by 1969 including the Canberra, Lightning, Victor and Vulcan.

Type Q2C Pressure demand mask. Link chain (Gabb harness), Mk.7 bayonet connector, anti-suffocation valve. Used on Canberra PR.9, Lightning, Victor, Vulcan.

Type Q3 Not in use by 1982.

Type Q4 Not in use by 1982.

Type Q5 Not in use by 1982.

Type Q6 Pressure demand mask. Turnbuckle, Mk.7 bayonet, Same as Q2 but for attachment to headset. Used on Andover, VC.10.

Type Q7 Not in use by 1982.

Type Q8C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, restraint cord, anti-suffocation valve. Used on Buccaneer, Hawk, Tornado.

Type Q9C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, anti-suffocation valve, comms cord for Mk.4 helmet. Used on Hawk, Tornado.

Type Q10C Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, anti-suffocation valve, new comms cord for Mk.4 helmet. Used on Tornado.

Type R Demand mask. Similar to Type H1A masks but with no inspiratory valve. Used on Jetstream.

Type R1 Apparently this is a mask functionally the same as the Type R but based on the Type P/Q facepiece. Introduced later than September 1984.

Type S Pressure demand mask based on the P/Q. Not in use by 1982.

Type T1 Pressure demand mask. Turnbuckle, two-tube. Basically a Type P/Q but with V-type hose and no inspiratory valve. Used on Nimrod.

Type V1 Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, silenced two-tube. L Adams connector. Used on Harrier, Phantom.

Type V2 Pressure demand mask. Peripin and sleeve, silenced two-tube, bayonet connector. Used on Jaguar.

Type V3 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V1 but with a newer microphone type.

Type V4 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V2 but with a newer microphone type.

Type V5 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V3 but with a newer microphone type.

Type V6 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V4 but with a newer microphone type.

Type V7 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V5 but with a newer microphone type.

Type V8 Pressure demand mask. Similar to V7 but with a newer microphone type.

Type W Pressure demand mask intended as replacement of the Type P/Q, mainly because the latter are complicated and thereby time consuming to manufacture. Developed around 1984 but apparently not adopted for service use.

Sources:
AP 3456E dated September 1969
AP 3456E dated September 1969, updated to September 1984
AP 4380 dated October 1951, updated to 22 May 1962.
Gibson, T.M. & Harrison, M.H.: Into Thin Air, A History of Aviation Medicine in the RAF. Robert Hale Ltd., London, UK, 1984.