Helmet on Ebay?

[boxerdogi]

This helmet went for over $1200. Can anyone explain why?

[hink441]

I saw this one.

 

I think this was Gomer Pyle's helmet. Look at the nametag. LOL

 

Chris

[northcoastaero]

The sale price could be because of the complete named USAF flight helmet and MBU-5/P oxygen mask set with

the helmet being completely covered in one of the earlier patterns of camouflage tape. The helmet shell

with leather edge roll, two piece form fit liner, and ear pads appears to have been made by a custom flight

helmet company during the 1970s. I had this pattern of camouflage tape dated 1975 and was new in the clear

packaging. The earliest date that I have seen on the side actuated dual visor assy. was 1974. The 1974

visor assy. was made by Sierra with a white plastic housing that was somewhat squared off around the rear

corners instead of being rounded. Also, the push in visor actuator knobs located on the sides of the early

Sierra manufactured assy's. were a semi-transparent white in color. The visor housing on this helmet

appears to be a later Sierra or Gentex manufactured one with the rounded corners, but not as late as the

housings with the riveted metal reinforcements on the sides. I had a black skull cap that was new in the

package and was dated 1975 also. The oxygen mask receivers on the sides of the helmet are in the position

to accept the T style bayonets from the oxygen mask. The offset or J style bayonets were introduced

sometime by the mid 1970s. I have had helmets that were configured with mask receivers that were

installed in a position that was half-way between a T and a J position to accept both types of

bayonets. I am guessing that USAF HGU-2A/P and HGU-26/P flight helmets were standardized with the

J/offset bayonets by the early-mid 1980s. The T bayonets could still be found on helmets such as

the HGU-39/P and SPH-4 during this time frame. I have had USAF helmets that were taped with both

the earlier style and later style of camouflage tape. They were probably from the early-mid 1980s

and had J/offset bayonets on them. The black plastic M-87/AIC microphone element was introduced

sometime during the 1970s or early 1980s. Interesting that the MBU-5/P mask has the earlier

CRU-8/P connector attached to the end of the mask hose 3-pin connector. The CRU-8/P connector

could have been left over from when the pilot was in flight training years before? The CRU-60/P

started to replace the CRU-8/P during the mid 1960s. I would guess that this helmet and mask set

was from the 1975 time frame at the earliest and possibly was used into the early 1980s. The custom

made helmet bag with nameplate and patches is sharp looking also. The following is a link from this

forum that discusses the various patterns of camouflage tape that were applied to USAF flight helmets.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/208015-hgu-2-pictures/?hl=%20vietnam%20%20camouflage%20%20flight%20%20helmet%20%20tape

[northcoastaero]

I guess that another reason for the high sale price could be that the pilot saw his helmet for sale and

wanted it back! Maybe the buyer was a relative or friend of the pilot? Just recently noticed that camo

taped USAF HGU-26/P helmets were being worn by the actors portraying the pilot and WSO in the F-4 Phantom II

flying scenes in the 2016 movie Sully. To some people, camouflage taped helmets look better than just

plain white ones and the tape on this helmet was applied very well. Maybe the buyer just had to have it

for one of the above reasons or for another reason not mentioned above and was willing to spend whatever it

took to win it!

[boxerdogi]

I was just thinking $1200 for a California Air National Guard, post Vietnam helmet was a little crazy.

[northcoastaero]

I agree on the crazy sale price. Sharp/cool/neat looking helmet though. With the boom microphone

added to the left side, the possible aircraft that the helmet was flown in would be the OV-10, C-130,

C-141, C-5, maybe the O-2, H-3, H-53, H-1, and C-23. Most likely was not used in the helicopters, but

I have seen USAF HGU-26/P helmets configured with boom mic assy's and mask receivers that were used in

rotary-wing aircraft. Also, as you stated above, the helmet was most likely used by the

California Air National Guard at some point in time. Prices in California are generally higher

than the rest of the U.S.! At least this is what I learned from The Price is Right game show.

[kammo-man]

Its a fantastic looking helmet an a great bag.

Beauty trumps money.

owen

[juvatwad]

I was just thinking $1200 for a California Air National Guard, post Vietnam helmet was a little crazy.

It is, indeed.