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Flight helmet for identification


Silvio
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Hi all,

 

I need some help to find out wich type helmet this is.

No label or maker tag.Single visor,Woodland tape so probaly 80/90

 

Thank you.

 

 

post-158216-0-16419500-1443109298.jpg

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Looks like a late production APH-5 with the M87 boom mike. Probably produced circa 1968. The tape actually looks like ERDL pattern to me, not woodland. The USAF used this type tape in the late 60's through the 70's at least, from what I recall.

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This appears to be an APH-5 flight helmet. Couple of issues I see: the comms is standard SPH-4. The bracket attaching the comms to helmet is also SPH-4 and not the standard rubber bracket on APH-5. Lock knob is SPH-4 also. Looks like the helmet was refurbished/restored but not with all the right parts.

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Thank you guys.

 

I thought is was Woodland but are u sure it is ERDL.

The Panthers and lightning on the visor housing could be fantasy or applied later i think.

I will post images when i have the helmet in hand.

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northcoastaero

The visor housing and screws look to be from an AFH-1 helmet. The helmet could possibly be a modified HGU-22/P shell used by USAF special ops or AC-130 gunship pilots/crew? Looks to be upgraded during the 1980s-the same era as the HGU-36/P. The camouflage tape seems to be contact paper that was sold in local stores years ago. The three piece liner could be from an AFH-1 or APH-5. In my opinion, a really sharp looking helmet. What type of earphones are in the ear cups? What type of plug is at the end of the communications cable? Also, could be a helmet with replica or commemorative markings because there seems to be little use?

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The visor housing and screws look to be from an AFH-1 helmet. The helmet could possibly be a modified HGU-22/P shell used by USAF special ops or AC-130 gunship pilots/crew? Looks to be upgraded during the 1980s-the same era as the HGU-36/P. The camouflage tape seems to be contact paper that was sold in local stores years ago. The three piece liner could be from an AFH-1 or APH-5. In my opinion, a really sharp looking helmet. What type of earphones are in the ear cups? What type of plug is at the end of the communications cable? Also, could be a helmet with replica or commemorative markings because there seems to be little use?

 

post-158216-0-80981400-1443290051.jpg

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I agree that the woodland camo tape is likely a commercial product. We discussed the evolution of the camo tape on the 2nd and 3rd pages of this thread ( http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/208015-hgu-2-pictures/ ) a while back. Current thought is that the camo tape was introduced no earlier than mid-1972 as result of a PACAF study. This timeframe appears supported by period photos. The tape pattern shown on this helmet does not match either of the two known camo film patterns used by USAF.

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Thank you for the reply.

I read that thread about the camo sheets so i have to agree.

I also read that the pilots assambled there helmets by themself so my question is if they had permission to use for example commercial tape etc,the taping technic looks decently done.

All the helmet parts are original so that is a good sign.

Any idea about the machine typed tape with the text "live support"i have seen similar ones with names,slogans etc

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northcoastaero

The microphone element and communications cable plug are compatible with USAF and Army flight helmets. The 993 earphone elements look to be from an Army Combat Vehicle Crew (CVC) helmet? The military sometimes used commercial hardware store parts, etc. If a USAF helmet, I would say special ops helicopter, AC-130, or MC-130 aircraft. If Army, I would say OV-1 Mohawk or C-23 Sherpa aircraft? The helmet is most likely from the 1980s-1990s. The panthers/tigers and lightning bolts on the visor housing could give a clue on the squadron/unit the helmet came from. Possibly electronic warfare because of the lightning bolts? Maybe EC-130 or Beechcraft (Super) King Air acft.? The life support text could mean the helmet was for the Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) shop. Maybe this helmet was used as a spare helmet or as an example helmet to build other helmets in a similar way?

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