anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 13, 2014 Picked this up on ebay. USMC Pilot Helmet of Maj. J.H. Buchanan He was a pilot during the Vietnam War. I found this link: http://media.nara.gov/usmc/077/00004677.pdf Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted May 13, 2014 more photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted May 13, 2014 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted May 13, 2014 Share #4 Posted May 13, 2014 That's an APH-6C helmet from VMA(AW)-121, the "Green Knights". They were in SEA from 1966-69, but as VMA-121 flying A-4E Skyhawks. They became an all-weather squadron (hence the AW) in 1969 after returning to Cherry Point and transitioned to A-6 Intruders. The helmet is most likely from after the transition to Intruders and not from Vietnam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted May 13, 2014 Share #5 Posted May 13, 2014 Correction: I just noticed your helmet has the three piece foam liner instead of the two piece of the later helmets, so it's actually an APH-6B. The ear cups are the later gray plastic type, which threw me off. They were probably replaced at some point. The APH-6A/B helmets were adopted in 1968, so it's possible this helmet could be from the VMA-121's time in Vietnam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted May 13, 2014 Share #6 Posted May 13, 2014 Just found this: http://books.google.com/books?id=4GyncDi0LxoC&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=john+h.+buchanan+usmc+a-4+skyhawk&source=bl&ots=MnzLBc1dei&sig=vmVGZ5opziIeeBkIxM6MB6Dl7O4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5XByU5jyIrHmsASlvoL4Dw&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=john%20h.%20buchanan%20usmc%20a-4%20skyhawk&f=false Note the photo caption on the right. Major John H. Buchanan. Awarded the DFC for action in Vietnam, but with a different Skyhawk squadron: VMA-311. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted May 13, 2014 That is great. Thank you very much for the research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted May 13, 2014 Share #8 Posted May 13, 2014 No problem. Here's info on VMA-311: http://a4skyhawk.org/4e/vma311/vma311.htm Not sure how all this fits together since the helmet is from a different squadron, but he obviously transferred from one to the other. Both squadrons were assigned to MAG-12 in Vietnam, so it's entirely possible that he transferred between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted May 13, 2014 Here is the photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted May 13, 2014 Here is the type of plane he would have flown. This is a model I found on ebay. Notice the horse head on the side just like my helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted May 13, 2014 Share #11 Posted May 13, 2014 My understanding is that the Velcro patch on the visor cover is a post Vietnam thing. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted May 14, 2014 Share #12 Posted May 14, 2014 My understanding is that the Velcro patch on the visor cover is a post Vietnam thing. Thoughts? The velcro on the visor cover is for attachment of a strobe light to aid in SAR in the event the pilot must punch out. Since velcro was widely used on flight clothing during the Vietnam War, I don't see why it wouldn't have been applied to the helmet. It's possible the regs specified it as some specific point, but normally this sort of thing is unit SOP. We need an ALSE guy to comment on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted May 14, 2014 Share #13 Posted May 14, 2014 A great grouping either way......any chance the thread could get moved over to the Aviation helmet section? You may get even more information over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted May 14, 2014 I didnt realize there was a section on Aviation helmets (I generally collect M1s) sorry about that. I will ask the administrators to move it. BTW, the picture of the plane I posted is a 1/72 scale die-cast plane. I may purchase it and put it with the group on display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted May 14, 2014 Share #15 Posted May 14, 2014 Mark, If you ever want to see a Skyhawk in person (an A-4M, not the A-4E in your photo) they have one on display at the Wing's of Freedom Museum at the Willow Grove Airbase: http://wingsoffreedommuseum.org/index.php/our-aircraft/17-aircraft/aircraft-fixed-wing/22-aircraft-a4m-skyhawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted May 19, 2014 Picked up the diecast plane and I am waiting for the book which I have ordered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted May 19, 2014 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROC Posted January 17, 2015 Share #18 Posted January 17, 2015 Hi, APH6 with grey Sonex hearcup following MIL-H-22995A was introduced in 25 april 1969. The black velcro on the visor for SDU5E Strobe lignt appeared in 1971 following Aircrew Systemps Bulletin n°150. Best Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted January 17, 2015 So, like B229 said, the ear cups are the later gray plastic type, which were probably replaced at some point. The APH-6A/B helmets were adopted in 1968, so it's possible this helmet could be from the VMA-121's time in Vietnam. However CROC told me in a PM that: The first APH6 is older than 1968, the first model APH6 MIL-H-22995 is from 27 july 1961. Also, Major Buchanan was in a different squadron in 1968 (as per the article) so he could have transferred to VMA-121 during a later time in Vietnam. As CROC knows I picked up a 1969 dated flight suit which will go nicely with this grouping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted January 17, 2015 Share #20 Posted January 17, 2015 That helmet sure looks great displayed with that model plane!....mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted November 20, 2015 Share #21 Posted November 20, 2015 This would compliment your display even more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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