littlegto Posted January 18, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2016 I bought this pair of Army SPH-4 flight helmets in Tucson, Arizona. Both are named to a Captain Merino. One of the helmets is marked "Dragon Flight 55th Aviation Company". From my research, the 55th Aviation Company was based in Korea and Dragon Flight flew the UH-1H Huey helicopter. Both helmets are size X-Large and both are in great condition with honest flight use. The earlier helmet is dated 1971 and the "Dragon Flight 55th Aviation Company" marked helmet is dated 1978. I am thrilled to have these in my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted January 18, 2016 More SPH-4... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted January 18, 2016 More SPH-4... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted January 18, 2016 More SPH-4... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted January 18, 2016 More SPH-4... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted January 18, 2016 Share #6 Posted January 18, 2016 Nice helmets. The 1971 dated SPH-4 has been modified with a ball and socket type boom. The earlier one was a black hinged type. Also, the visor housing may have been replaced. The earlier housings were painted olive drab plastic and matched the helmet shells. The later housings were molded in olive drab plastic. The Velcro on the visor housing could be for NVG goggles?. Just curious, who are the manufacturers of the helmets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 18, 2016 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2016 You are having some success. Love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted January 19, 2016 Nice helmets. The 1971 dated SPH-4 has been modified with a ball and socket type boom. The earlier one was a black hinged type. Also, the visor housing may have been replaced. The earlier housings were painted olive drab plastic and matched the helmet shells. The later housings were molded in olive drab plastic. The Velcro on the visor housing could be for NVG goggles?. Just curious, who are the manufacturers of the helmets? The helmets came directly from the veteran. The 1971 helmet is Gentex and the 1978 helmet is Astrocom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted January 22, 2016 Share #9 Posted January 22, 2016 These are also very nice scores! Did you find these on Craigslist as well? At lease you filled up your luggage on the trip home -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegto Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted January 23, 2016 These are also very nice scores! Did you find these on Craigslist as well? At lease you filled up your luggage on the trip home -Derek Derek, I actually found a militaria dealer named Jeff Albiniak in Tucson through the USMF. I e-mailed him prior to my visit and called him when I arrived in town. He met me at a local antique mall and we made a deal on the pair of SPH-4 helmets. I actually went to a local Walmart in Tucson and bought another roll aboard bag to carry the helmets home. I sometimes use the Fed Ex store to ship stuff home but it was roughly the same price to buy another suitcase that I will use later and since I was booked in first class I was allowed to check up to three bags for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theguiltyone Posted January 26, 2016 Share #11 Posted January 26, 2016 Great additions to your collection! Thanks for the share. marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTLewisBrat Posted February 3, 2016 Share #12 Posted February 3, 2016 Nice helmets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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