c7zx Posted March 29, 2017 Share #1 Posted March 29, 2017 Hello, recently picked up this flight helmet on eBay and thought I would ask members of the group as to its origins. Beautiful reflective tape job, the best I've ever seen. Interior is all leather. Chrome Oxygen Mask receivers (marked Flight Suits Ltd.) Removing the ear cushions revealed a small cloth tag indicating the pilot's name / HGU-33 designation / and Size Medium. Helmet is missing the visor knob, so wonder which type and color it should be ? Is this a civilian or military helmet ? and what are the black bumpers on the visor cover screws ? Any info appreciated, c7zx. . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycretan Posted March 29, 2017 Share #2 Posted March 29, 2017 I think it is a Grumman test pilot helmet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c7zx Posted March 29, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted March 29, 2017 The name Grumman is hand written on the inside of the visor cover. I thought it had something to do with the pilot's name. It would be cool if it had something to do with Grumman Aircraft. c7zx . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted March 30, 2017 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2017 I also think it is a Grumman helmet. Look at this link, shows a Grumman helmet at the very bottom of the thread. I have the matching flights suits. Chris http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/281937-grumman-flight-test/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted March 30, 2017 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2017 Agree, a Grumman aircraft company pilot, etc. flight helmet most likely flown in a USN/USMC aircraft<br />because of the added reflective tape and Velcro patch for the survival strobe light. Most likely<br />from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s. The Flight Suits Ltd. custom HGU-33/P helmets usually used<br />a USAF style Astrocom mfr. white visor lock knob assy. with a smaller screw on the top. The helmet<br />that is pictured in the link probably has a USN/USMC PRK-37/P lighter blue colored tapered style<br />visor lock knob with a larger center screw that is covered with black leather. The helmet shell was<br />most likely manufactured by Gentex as a HGU-33/P shell (not modified HGU-22/P or PRK-37/P) along with<br />many of the other parts and assembled by the custom flight clothing and equipment company Flight Suits Ltd.<br />(now Gibson & Barnes). The black bumpers on the visor housing screws were installed to prevent the<br />screws from scratching the aircraft canopy. These rubber bumpers were issued with the PRK-37/P<br />quarter helmet assemblies and were popular with USN/USMC aviators flying training aircraft such as<br />the North American T-2 Buckeye, McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk, and the Beech T-34 Mentor in the<br />VT-, etc. squadrons. The oxygen mask would have been a USN/USMC variant of the MBU-12/P such as<br />the MBU-14/P. The mask could be all green with green straps, all gray with black straps, or a<br />gray face piece with green hose and green straps. Possible Grumman aircraft that your helmet was<br />flown in would be the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, and the EA-6B Prowler. Maybe even used with the<br />F-14D and A-6F programs? Also, your helmet has the later black plastic visor tracks which replaced<br />the white ones beginning around 1986-late 1980s with custom flight helmet companies. Hope this helps.<br /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c7zx Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted March 31, 2017 Thanks to all for the great information ! c7zx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 26, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 26, 2017 Found an online picture of one of these helmets being worn by a Grumman Flight Test Aviator. This picture is in the back end of an E-2C Hawkeye and is from the Northrup Grumman website. Notice the boom mike on the O2 receiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 26, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 26, 2017 Here is a picture of a display at the Grumman facility on Long Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkALSE Posted April 27, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 27, 2017 Well now I'm intrigued seeing that pic of the pilot next to the F-14 wearing a USAF style torso harness with ejector snaps yet equipped with Navy type Koch fittings similar to an adjustable harness for the Army MK-J5D seat in the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk. I wish I could see what the lap belt setup is like on that pilots harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 27, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 27, 2017 This picture you can see more of the lower attachment points of the harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkALSE Posted April 27, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 27, 2017 Yeah the display has just a MA-2 harness on, standard. Look closely at the picture of the actual pilot next to the jet. His harness has an ejector snap equipped chest strap like a USAF PCU series torso harness yet clearly equipped with the Navy Koch riser fittings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted May 7, 2017 Share #12 Posted May 7, 2017 I see what you are talking about now. Here are two more pics of Grumman Pilots wearing a similar setup harness chest snaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkALSE Posted May 8, 2017 Share #13 Posted May 8, 2017 Awesome! I love it, some sort of integrated torso harness and survival vest/LPU setup. I want one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted February 21, 2021 Share #14 Posted February 21, 2021 Found another pic online of one of these Grumman helmets being worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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