H4 Gentex Helmet Late 1940's & Photo Of Pilot In Flight Wearing Helmet

[mds308]

This was one of the helmets from the grouping. These items (plus more) came from the estate of LCDR James Odonnell USNR. LCDR was a WWII fighter pilot. In the first post I have his helmet and in the next post I have the picture of him flying an F8F Bearcat and his wing man snapped a picture of him. There is glare across the cockpit but you can clearly see the Vargas style stickers on his helmet. I believe this picture was taken in the late 1940s or very early 1950s. A very nice pair.

[mds308]

The rest of the story.....

[1canpara]

That is a very cool helmet and the photo nails it! Wow!

 

Rick

[tarbridge]

I like both also...t he plane image is really neat.

[northcoastaero]

Nice helmet! The helmet is actually an H-2. Much more difficult to find than the later H-4.

The H-2 did not use a separate liner like the H-3 and H-4 did. Also, the communications cables

are different and there should be a switch on the lower right rear of the H-2 to select the boom

microphone or oxygen mask microphone. Hope this helps.

[hink441]

Great helmet with a period picture to boot!!! Awesome!!

[mds308]

Thanks northcoastaero. H2. I would have never known. Here are some other images including the switch.

[mds308]

Two more images. Leather padding is still soft and supple.

[northcoastaero]

I just read that the single letter tail code was introduced sometime during 1950 for the Naval Air Reserve

units. The letter S represented NAS Norfolk, as stated on the F8F Bearcat.

[mds308]

Thanks northcoastaero. As always, you are full of knowledge. I'll be posting another helmet for you and others to review or just view.<br /><br />

[Bebel]

It's very difficult to get H-1 and H-2 helmets. And most particulary if complete as your and personalized. A very nice set with the picture!

 

Franck