Jump to content

Just Found a VA-176 Hgu-33


mwesson030
 Share

Recommended Posts

Great looking helmet!! Gotta love the A-6s !!!

 

What else are you planning to do to the helmet? I think it looks awesome!!

 

Chris

 

When I first got it I had to do a bit of work to it. The visor housing had a very large crack right at the bottom, the rails that the visor runs on were damaged and needed to be replaced, and there was no visor knob. Also the helmet was quite grimy and I had to do some cleaning. All what is left to fix as of now is to get the AM7607 block and the communication wire for the mask. In the future I might look into replacing some of the earcup foam as it is deteriorating, but the foam is still holding together for now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

When I first got it I had to do a bit of work to it. The visor housing had a very large crack right at the bottom, the rails that the visor runs on were damaged and needed to be replaced, and there was no visor knob. Also the helmet was quite grimy and I had to do some cleaning. All what is left to fix as of now is to get the AM7607 block and the communication wire for the mask. In the future I might look into replacing some of the earcup foam as it is deteriorating, but the foam is still holding together for now.

You have done a great job!!

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Status Update:

 

Found the proper amplifier block and mask cord. Now I just need to figure out how to attach a keeper to the bottom of the wire.

post-172448-0-11314000-1509556693.jpg

post-172448-0-14625200-1509556717.jpg

post-172448-0-36859200-1509556747.jpg

post-172448-0-82887200-1509556800.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You would need the elastrator tool to get the keepers together without ripping them unless someone has come up with a creative way to stretch em out. That tool is pretty much an off the shelf farm tool used for docking?castrating animals. I don't know what Gentex or Scott would have charged for one but I picked up a cheap one for 7 bucks that was from a Farm Supply place, works great. Has 4 prongs that when you squeeze the grips it pulls all 4 prongs away equally without stressing the silicone keepers both on the wide hose part and the cable portion. Makes the job pretty easy to slip the plugs through.

 

Where did you end up getting the Amp block? Were you the one who snagged that NOS set with the ICS cable as well? I need to find a 80s dated Amp for a MBU-17 project to finally finish it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Where did you end up getting the Amp block? I need to find a 80s dated Amp for a MBU-17 project to finally finish it.

Got both the Amp and the cable from FlightHelmet.com. Just a heads up though, all what they have left in terms of Amps are the ones in "excellent condition" and will run you 125$. Luckily, I got my Amp before they ran out of the lower priced ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah Ive seen them there and have held off at those prices. Someone just sold a NOS Navy comm kit for the MBU-12 mask from the 80s for 145, came with the Amp, coiled mask cable and all the attaching hardware for the Amp block. Should have pulled the trigger on that one I guess, I really only need the Amp and hardware though. Here is the MBU-17 Im trying to complete. Just need the amp and the mic mount with mic installed. Have the mount and mic, just no amp. Been working on completing a HGU-45 in a OV-10 Bronco setup with that mask.

 

post-11373-0-06133600-1509656012.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, 145 is definitely a better price than the 155 I spent on my wiring. I didn't mind paying that much though because I only paid 50$ for the helmet. I wish you the best of luck on your mask. Would love to see that HGU-45.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I actually got one of those 3 pin mask cords with a bunch of other stuff for cheap. Not sure if Ill hang on to it or let it go. Was a 2000s date on it though so would be for a later helmet. I had to look for the type I have on the 17P mask specifically that has the locking jack for the Amp block, other end would plug into the helmets mic jack when unplugging the boom mics. That cord came in another mixed lot of Navy helmet stuff. Took a couple helmet pics of the 45P. Its the PRK-37 shell with the PRU-36 dual visor, boom mic, in line amp and the 3 pin ICS cord. I stripped out the inside as I'm restoring it. I still need a new impact liner and sizing pads. Thats what it had when I got it but a big chunk of foam was broken off. I was going to put the fitted liner in but I'm not sure how to remove it safely from another helmet I have. I have another 45P that I bought initially for the project that was squadron marked from VT-27. Decided against killing an original decorated helmet.

 

 

post-11373-0-67970900-1509674773.jpg

post-11373-0-24398200-1509674781.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...