why did kamikaze pilots were safety helmets&goggles?

Answer 1

health and safety, they had hi-vis jackets and toe-tectors to

Answer 2

They aren't helmets, like I wore for 10 years in the F4. They were lined leather caps. They were worn to protect the head while getting banged around the cockpit maneuvering, and for comfort. Same for scarves: something soft to put between your skin and the leather collar of the jacket.
Goggles, were to protect the eyes if the crew wanted to fly with the canopy open. Also, if the canopy was damaged by enemy fire/engine damage (oil spray), goggles kept wind out of the crew's eyes.
Now some non-flyers might ask, "why comfort on a one-way mission?" The answer is concentration: ID'ing the target, getting the aircraft to go where you want, lining up for an attack run, avoiding AAA and interceptors takes considerable focus. Personally I would wear ANYTHING that would even slightly increase the odds I would make it to the target.

Answer 3

You can't dive into the ship, unless you can survive GETTING to the ship.

They had to get past the CAP (Combat Air Patrol) which would usually intercept them 20-30 miles from the fleet.

Then they had to get through the most intense anti-aircraft fire ever seen.

You don't accomplish either of the above by flying straight and level. You're twisting, diving, climbing, anything to avoid being shot down first. Pilots heads on all aides of the war would bounce around, sometimes smacking the canopy or instrument panel. The head gear wouldn't prevent serious injury, but if flak or .50 cals from fighters opened up the cockpit (not killing the pilot), the helmet and goggles would allow him to continue his mission more effectively.

Also, many Kamikaze's were able to dive into ships, even after they were on fire. Goggles allowed the pilot to see (even if he was burning) his target.

The Japanese did not use radio equipment in the Kamikaze aircraft. It was too scarce by that time to waste. Sets were removed from the suicide planes for use in the pathfinders that led them to the fleet. After that it was hand signals and BANZAI.

Answer 4

The one's who did wear the helmet and goggles did so because they flew with an open cockpit, the helmet to keep warm and the goggles to allow them to see. A good number of these pilots did not wear this apparel

Answer 5

This one gets asked frequently.
They were not real helmets as from today but leather hats that held the ear pieces for the radio, oxygen mask and goggles. Since they flew at high altitudes it was necessary for warmth also.
They did not serve as protection in a crash. That itself is not a true statement since the rest of your body gets smashed in an air accident, saving your head seems redundant.

That being said the kamikaze's who killed themselves in action were bad pilots.
The good ones never made it through practise.

Answer 6

They wanted to be sure they had the best chance of completing their missions. The only reason a WWII era pilot wore goggles inside the closed canopy was to protect his eyes in case shrapnel from flack or bullets fired by anti aircraft guns or combat aircraft shattered the Plexiglas canopy.

Answer 7

Their communications equiptment was in the cloth caps and the goggles were to protect the eyes in case of damage to the cockpit windows before they hit their targets.

Answer 8

They didn't want to die before they completed their mission so if they crashed they'd need some form of protection. Their helmet also housed their radio and the goggles were needed for better visibility.

Answer 9

open cockpits, originally, goggles kept the wind out of their eyes. Helmets contained radio gear so that communication was possible. I only know this because it bugged me for years. Good question mate!

Answer 10

Protect their eyes if the windscreen was smashed so that they could aim the aircraft properly. I understand tha most of them missed thankfully

Answer 11

Regulations.