ccyooper Posted March 21, 2017 Share #1 Posted March 21, 2017 Can someone name the squadron for this Naval Flight Helmet? It is a Gentex Helmet. I found one similar on the web looking through images but the link is dead. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted March 21, 2017 Share #2 Posted March 21, 2017 USN/USMC issue APH-5 flight helmet probably from the early to mid 1960s in present form with the addition of the white and orange reflective tape to aid in rescue. The addition of a boom microphone assy. on the right side along with the removal of the leather tabs with snaps for oxygen mask attachment leads me to believe that the helmet may have been used by a helicopter pilot/aircrewman. Need a better image of the communications cables to ID the type and if there were any modifications. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted March 21, 2017 Thank you very much. I see a similar marked helmet in the flight helmets thread. Let me know what you need for identification. Regards, CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted March 21, 2017 Does this help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted March 21, 2017 Share #5 Posted March 21, 2017 The communications cables look to be unmodified, except for being taped together and the added clamp to the nape strap screw. This was a common practice. These cables were the standard USN/USMC and possibly USCG issue for the time. The ear cups and original fitting pads with the leather covering the sides seem to be in great shape, along with the rest of the helmet. Nice find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted March 22, 2017 Share #6 Posted March 22, 2017 The tape job is sort of generic and common. The helmet is not marked to any specific squadron. You would need a name or maybe markings inside the helmet to narrow it down to a specific squadron.....sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted March 23, 2017 Thanks for the feedback. However, since it has the same style design as the helmet in post 32 of USN/USMC pilots helmet thread I thought there might be a correlation. I have seen 3 helmets with this pattern, so I know it is not random. I also know some squadrons used their helmets as identifiers as I have seen pictures of them while trying to find one like it. I have an old retired friend who once was the cdr of VF-101, I'll have to see if I can look him up to see if he may be able to help. Regards and thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted March 24, 2017 Share #8 Posted March 24, 2017 I agree that the reflective tape design is most likely not squadron specific. It may have been a standardized design that was eventually adopted to aid in rescue and could possibly be found in a USN aviation clothing/equipment manual sometime during the early to mid 1960s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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