Early HGU-2A/P score

[viking73]

Hi Gents,

 

I wanted to share my latest score with you guys here, a nice named early HGU-2A/P with the spring loaded ear cups + an early MBU-5/P mask. I found this one in the DFW area via a Craigslist type app on my phone. We met up at a Home Depot parking lot to do the deal and when I saw the spring loaded ear cups (not visible in the for sale ad) I had to have it I couldn't negotiate the price down despite my best attempts since he claimed to have other offers for it (who knows) but that was okay as I think I did really good on the price.

[viking73]

Here's a shot of the label in the back - "8 - 63" or "8 - 65"?

 

Also here is a shot of the vent holes and spring on one of the ear cups.

[viking73]

Here's shot of the mask date wheel, the CRU-8/P connector, and the helmet sans mask.

[viking73]

Here's one picture of the springs.

,

And finally - this is the only really damaged area. Looks like the soft rubber of the mask has been permanently deformed. Not a big deal though on the mannequin head, you can't even see it

 

Thanks for looking at the newest member of my collection!

 

-Derek

[mohawkALSE]

That is a really nice find! Pretty damn good shape for its age, the helmet looks like its 8-63 to me. Awesome to find the straight single strap bayonets too with an earlier 5P mask. My OV-1 used HGU-2A/P was made by Sierra and is also a 1963 with spring loaded ear cups. The liner on yours seems pretty damn clean for its age too. Wonder if he was a airlift guy and that was an earlier issued helmet and he wore a H-157 headset more often than helmet. Or another thought, could have been a flight surgeon and only went on occasional check flights in a T-33 or something. Should look up the gentleman's name.

[72psb]

Very cool Derek!

Bob

[Longbranch]

Neat helmet!!! FYI, here's the obituary as printed in the January 28, 1994 issue of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

 

Information found via Newsbank Inc.'s "Access World News" website

 

FORT WORTH - [Name Edited Out], a retired military pilot who was commander of Air Force One during the Kennedy administration, died Wednesday at a Fort Worth hospital. He was 80.

Funeral will be at noon Saturday at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Willow Park, where he was a member. The Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

[Name Edited Out], was born in Beaver Falls, Pa., and lived in Fort Worth for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Tarrant County Sheriff's Posse.

He was a test pilot, fighter pilot and bomber pilot during World War II and the Korean War.

[Name Edited Out], was a member of the OX5 Club, Ridglea Blue Lodge 1341, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Q.B. and Sojourners. He was past president of the Moslah Mounties and was a York Rite Mason.

[horridohutch]

Named and numbers matching! Way cool, nice find!