CROC Posted November 4, 2015 Share #26 Posted November 4, 2015 Hi, The name is LOUGHMILLER, James, you can see him on the squadron picture I posted before. Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROC Posted November 4, 2015 Share #27 Posted November 4, 2015 About your jacket, Richard "Dick" Birtwistle III was VA 81 CO from 3 jun 1976 to 30 jun 1977, he previously made two WestPac Vietnam cruises with VA 153 as Lcdr aboard USS Oriskany in 1970 and 1971 and made a safe ejection on 18 august 1966 from a A7A at NATC Pax River. Best Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share #28 Posted November 4, 2015 Hi Croc - I can't believe I missed that about the name! Thanks for pointing that out to me, a big "duh" on my part for sure... Very cool that I have a named helmet. No doubt about this now as to the squadron or time frame. Wow! Also, I appreciate the info. on Dick Birtwistle and my jacket. Best regards, -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROC Posted November 4, 2015 Share #29 Posted November 4, 2015 You're welcome Best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share #30 Posted December 12, 2015 I finally have a small update on this helmet. I did replace the broken visor knob. Also, I found a pair of black plastic discs that I think match up well with the helmet. They look black in the cruise book photos so I'm very happy with them. -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share #31 Posted December 12, 2015 And left side: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share #32 Posted December 12, 2015 My only problem now is I'm still searching for a used (but not abused or corroded) set of chin & nape straps. The ones on the helmet are pretty rough, and I really don't want to put them back on the helmet. Here's the nape strap. Check out the corrosion on the metal eyes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share #33 Posted December 12, 2015 The chin strap is even worse, plus the blue is faded very badly... -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #34 Posted August 20, 2017 Hi, Sorry to bring this old thread back from the dead but I had to tell/show someone I was able to find a nice set of used chin and nape straps for this helmet on Ebay about 6 months or so ago. They had the used look I was going for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #35 Posted August 20, 2017 Trying to find a mask was the hardest and most expensive part of course... I was really looking for one that was in the right time frame as well, i.e. prior to the 1973 Hancock cruise. Well all I can say is that two years of patience finally paid off last month. I passed on several other MS22001 masks that recently sold on Ebay for around $325. I felt fortunate to find this one for just a little over $200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted August 20, 2017 Share #36 Posted August 20, 2017 Looks great! Nice work, I have seen some replacement pads for the interior on eBay occasionally. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #37 Posted August 20, 2017 This helmet is one of mt favorites and I'm even happier now that I have the correct mask in place. It looks great in my war room! I'm not sure why USN MS22001 masks are some much more expensive and harder to find that similarly dated USAF MBU-5/P masks, but sometimes with a little patience and luck you can find what you need... Thanks for looking! -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #38 Posted August 20, 2017 Looks great! Nice work, I have seen some replacement pads for the interior on eBay occasionally. Chris Thanks Chris. I actually have two of the original interior pads. They fell out of the helmet when I cleaned it up. I'm sure I will glue them back in at some point I was just really excited about finishing this one up finally! -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted August 21, 2017 Share #39 Posted August 21, 2017 Looks great Derek...the mask was a good score...dig it...nice helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted August 21, 2017 Share #40 Posted August 21, 2017 Derek, Looks great and displays well.On another note,I recently remembered the motorcops I knew,used Pledge Furniture polish(yellow spray can) on their bikes windshields. I tried it on some helmet visors. It did a great job of cleaning and hiding minor imperfections. Once again.Great Job! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultra Hog Posted August 27, 2017 Share #41 Posted August 27, 2017 Hi all ! I recently sniped one at $325. If you want the correct type with CRU-79/P & REDAR hose, that's the price to pay ! Yours is the correct price for sure but you also need mini regulator & REDAR as a fighter helmet shell ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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