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USN FLIGHT HELMET


anton67
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Cool VA-12 helmet. They were a A-4 and a A-7 attack squadron. They also almost became an A-6 squadron in the late 1980s. Looks like Vietnam era to me.

 

Chris

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Helmet is a USN APH-6 with some funky stickers...1960's

Looks like it has the tan canvas HGU-25 without the plastic cover, as a liner? Or semi permanent skull cap

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VA-12 went to Vietnam on the CV-42 USS FDR in 1966. Here are some pics of VF-14 helmets from the same cruise. They look identical to your helmet.

 

post-10825-0-40014200-1448060195.jpeg

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Here is a second picture from the same war cruise 1966. This one is the VF-14 Paraloft Crew. Look at the helmet in the bottom left. Looks like a match to me.

 

post-10825-0-77785300-1448060353.jpeg

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northcoastaero

The helmet looks to be a pre 1968 Gentex or Sierra APH-6A with the solid back visor housing and leather/foam ear cups. Most likely a Gentex APH-6A based on the type of chin strap. VA-12 Flying Ubangis flew the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk aboard the USS FDR during the 1966/1967 cruise. They also flew the A-4C aboard the USS Shangri-La during the 1970 cruise. Both cruises mentioned were Vietnam cruises. The APH-6A helmet was in service during 1966 and possibly earlier.

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I dont see the LIPS on the helmets in the photos.

That is because those photos are of VF-14 helmets not VA-12 helmets. Both squadrons were on the FDR in 1966.

 

Chris

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  • 4 weeks later...

I dig the helmet...and would like to know more about the liner..looks like it kept the sweat from the leather size pads...preserving the leather? The liner looks like a deck crewman helmet used as a skull cap...David Clark website shows that NSN to be a deck crewmans helmet...correct for that era...

 

You can see patterson on the styrofoam under the visor ..very nice helmet

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Hi,

Ltjg James Alexander PATTERSON flew A4 with VA 12 aboard USS FD Roosevelt during 1967-68 Med cruise and aboard USS Shangri La in 1969 Med Cruise too. He entered USN in october 1964 as 1315 (USNR Naval Aviator).

 

Aboard Shangri La in 1969

post-1289-0-19089200-1450167451.jpg

 

Best

Croc

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