Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Share #1 Posted September 17, 2013 Hallo! It's my first post on this forum, and I hope will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship (as Rick/Bogart tells to the french policeman at the end of Casablanca)! The helmet you see was buying by myself when I have been in USA, quite lots of time ago! I have ever ask to myself which is the era in which he fought... Pre or post Vietnam? Navy chopper? Any thought welcome! Best, Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted September 17, 2013 Back side ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted September 17, 2013 Inside... That's all! Thanks in advance! Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted September 17, 2013 Yep, quite small pics ... However, if you want some more datailed pics, please, ask me! Best, Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted September 17, 2013 Share #5 Posted September 17, 2013 The helmet is a SPH-3B or SPH-3C for use in helicopters. SPH stands for Sound Protective Helmet. Used by the USN/USMC and USCG. This helmet is a USN or USMC one because of the type of communications cable being used. This cable was used in helicopters except for the H-60 Seahawk. Also, the cable was used in patrol aircraft such as the P-3 Orion. This type of helmet was introduced around 1967-68 and was used into the 1990s. Later style visor lock knobs are being used along with an earlier (1970s-early 1980s) M-95B/UR boom microphone assy. Also, the liner for the earlier helmets would be a suspension assy. Later ones used a black leather covered form fit liner. The liner on this helmet appears to be a Styrofoam one that was used with the suspension assy. The helmet is covered in 100% reflective tape to aid in rescue. The tape design may represent a specific squadron. Because the helmet is covered in 100% tape with a large part of the design being white and the use of the later style blue visor lock knobs leads me to believe that the helmet is from the later 1980s to the 1990s era. Usually helmets in this era will have the form fit liner and the M-87/AIC black microphone element on a black ball and socket type boom. There could also be a rectangular amplifier installed in between the boom microphone cable and the larger communications cable. This was used in most helicopters. The Velcro patch on the right side of the visor housing is for attachment of the SDU-5/E strobe light that is used in signaling in survival situations. I will do more research on the helmet design to see if it relates to a specific squadron. Also, the SPH-3B had a fiberglass shell and the SPH-3C had a Kevlar shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted September 17, 2013 Share #6 Posted September 17, 2013 Very nice helmet Tiger. It looks Vietnam era. Very desirable art work as well. Is there a date inside ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted September 17, 2013 Share #7 Posted September 17, 2013 A manufacturers tag would be on the outside or inside lower edge of the shell. Also, there may be a contract date (.....-C) on the small tag around the larger communications cable. A tag could be covered up by the Styrofoam liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted September 17, 2013 Many thanks Northcoastero! Simply perfect! Among other things, I had founded the helmet in a place (that I didn't recall well) on your side of States! Thanks very much! Best, Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted September 17, 2013 Hi there! Thanks also to you Manayunkman!There's a 'silver' manifature's tag with Gentex logo under the left earphone... On the other side some hand writing with one that looks a name: Whalen .. Again, I have find a date on the connector on the back, it say DLA900-82 ... so an early 80s helmet! Thanks to all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted September 17, 2013 Share #10 Posted September 17, 2013 Hi there! Thanks also to you Manayunkman! There's a 'silver' manifature's tag with Gentex logo under the left earphone... On the other side some hand writing with one that looks a name: Whalen .. Again, I have find a date on the connector on the back, it say DLA900-82 ... so an early 80s helmet! Thanks to all! Yes, a 1982 contract shell, which makes sense. In addition to the other things pointed out by northcoastaero, the helmet has the later style Nomex cloth components in the liner and chinstrap, and the wide Velcro adjustment at the back or nape of the neck. The earlier, Vietnam-era helmets had leather reinforcing behind the O2 mask snaps on cotton cloth lining, and narrow nylon buckled nape strap and chinstrap. By the late 80's and early 90's, the TPL liners became more common. Very odd that it has that early microphone though, instead of an M-87. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted September 17, 2013 Share #11 Posted September 17, 2013 HS-5 could be the USN squadron flying the SH-3 Sea King helicopter. Check out bluejacket.com for the USN squadron patch/insignia page. Also, the liner seems to have USAF style fitting pads glued to the Styrofoam liner. I have never seen this done on a SPH-3B or SPH-3C. Usually just used the suspension or the form fit liner. Check out flighthelmet.com for SPH form fit liners for sale. Also, I believe that an amplifier was used between the communications cables for this aircraft. Usually used on present era helicopters except for the TH-57. The original visor lock knobs for the helmet were the white tapered style, later replaced with the blue taller knobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted September 17, 2013 Thanks for your input too, B229! Very odd that it has that early microphone though, instead of an M-87. I don't know much about these stuff, but seems to me that nothing was changed from the era this helmet was built. Also because all the studs made for fixing linear, earphones and the other parts of lining are under the tape. Nothing could be changed without cut or remove the tape.. And the tape has not been manipulated in any way.. Best, Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted September 17, 2013 Hi to you too, Nothcoastaero! HS-5 could be the USN squadron flying the SH-3 Sea King helicopter. Check out bluejacket.com for the USN squadronpatch/insignia page. Also, the liner seems to have USAF style fitting pads glued to the Styrofoam liner. I havenever seen this done on a SPH-3B or SPH-3C. Usually just used the suspension or the form fit liner. Check outflighthelmet.com for SPH form fit liners for sale. Also, I believe that an amplifier was used betweenthe communications cables for this aircraft. Usually used on present era helicopters except for theTH-57. The original visor lock knobs for the helmet were the white tapered style, later replaced with theblue taller knobs. I'll check the site you're talking about! Thanks a lot! Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted September 18, 2013 Hi there! I have found on forum's pages this helmet from Bebel member (that I hope will forgive me if I use an image from him!). His art seems almost the same of mine. Another age, of course, but same 'lightning' on each side, background and stripe and stars on the 'dome'. He refer to be owned by a SAC aircrewman (SAC stand for Strategic Air Command?). Any input wil be warmly appreciate! Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted September 18, 2013 Share #15 Posted September 18, 2013 The USAF Strategic Air Command helmet pictured appears to be a modified P-1B or a P-3. I have seen SAC helmets with decals that had white stars on a blue background. The oxygen mask is a MS-22001. The set is probably from the mid 1950s. The V on the sides of your SPH-3B/C helmet is probably the Roman numeral for the number 5, representing the squadron HS-5. Same with the five stars on the back of the helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted September 18, 2013 Thanks again, Northcoastaero! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now