MattS Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share #26 Posted April 20, 2018 My inspiration for this headset, as historically inaccurate as it may be, BG Frank Savage from the TV series "12 O'Clock High". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronald Posted April 20, 2018 Share #27 Posted April 20, 2018 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted April 20, 2018 Share #28 Posted April 20, 2018 So this guy is a gunner, not a pilot but his headset is pretty clear. In the original photo you can read the PL-354 on the plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share #29 Posted April 20, 2018 Looks like the earlier big ear cups, great photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted April 20, 2018 Share #30 Posted April 20, 2018 Nice pics and display guys..time the HS33 are getting their time in the sun... Why is he not a pilot? could be...nothing to really classify him either way...my bad...unless there is something in the original photo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronald Posted April 20, 2018 Share #31 Posted April 20, 2018 Could be any position. All the air crew positions used headsets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share #32 Posted April 20, 2018 True, but I think the original caption identified the man as a gunner with the 99th BG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted April 21, 2018 Share #33 Posted April 21, 2018 I double checked and his primary position was as a radio operator, not just a gunner. His last name and the last four of his service number are on his Mae West. The full data stamp is also legible on the Mae West as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted April 21, 2018 Author Share #34 Posted April 21, 2018 T/Sgt Joseph F. Aitken, ASN 12164822, 346th BS, 99th BG, born in 1922, enlisted at Newark, New Jersey, on October 29, 1942. https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&cat=WR26&tf=F&q=12164822&bc=sl&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=592527 http://www.99bg.org/aitken-joseph-a4822-99bg.cfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted April 23, 2018 Author Share #35 Posted April 23, 2018 I snagged another headset cheap and it came with this cord, which I believe is the one that goes from the HS-33 to the aircraft jack/intercom box? Any help is appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted April 23, 2018 Share #36 Posted April 23, 2018 looks like the extension cord that would go from headset/helmet to interphone control box... a nice cord to have...and now you will need the push to talk switch.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted April 23, 2018 Author Share #37 Posted April 23, 2018 looks like the extension cord that would go from headset/helmet to interphone control box... a nice cord to have...and now you will need the push to talk switch.... Yes I do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted August 5, 2019 Share #38 Posted August 5, 2019 I know there was a dicussion on the white foam ear cushion being post war use. I saw this pic and wanted to know what type is this gent on the upper left wearing? Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share #39 Posted August 5, 2019 I think those are the chamois lined type (post 25 on here) ear cups. They do contrast with the black rubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted August 5, 2019 Share #40 Posted August 5, 2019 I snagged another headset cheap and it came with this cord, which I believe is the one that goes from the HS-33 to the aircraft jack/intercom box? Any help is appreciated! hello, just noticed now - this kind of cord extension is strictly USN, not AAF. First letter a bit scratched is "N", N.A.F. for Naval Aircraft Factory. N.A.F. 215284-2 on this plug, and the radio jack at the other end must necessarily carry "N.A.F. PART N° 1136-1" , being not visible in this photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share #41 Posted August 5, 2019 hello, just noticed now - this kind of cord extension is strictly USN, not AAF. First letter a bit scratched is "N", N.A.F. for Naval Aircraft Factory. N.A.F. 215284-2 on this plug, and the radio jack at the other end must necessarily carry "N.A.F. PART N° 1136-1" , being not visible in this photo. Thanks, that makes sense. Guess I need to get a USN headset now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted August 6, 2019 Share #42 Posted August 6, 2019 I think those are the chamois lined type (post 25 on here) ear cups. They do contrast with the black rubber. That is what I thought. This is a war time picture. So these were worn during the war. Not post war like many suggest. Here is the full photo with the story/timeframe behind it. Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share #43 Posted August 6, 2019 That's my take on it, but it appears so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share #44 Posted August 6, 2019 It appears these ear pads were used in a modified form (with microphone attached) in the 1950s in SAC bombers according to this scene from "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart and Harry Morgan. I don't know the nomenclature for this set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted August 6, 2019 Share #45 Posted August 6, 2019 That is what I thought. This is a war time picture. So these were worn during the war. Not post war like many suggest. Here is the full photo with the story/timeframe behind it. Foam headset hutchs book.jpg Semper Fi Phil Phil, After a closer look at the photo you posted, I would have to disagree. I believe what you are seeing is an HS-33 headset that is using the cushions from an RAF air crew headset. Rather than "white foam", they are kapok filled, chamois covered "doughnuts" that were the inspiration for what the US used later on both flying helmets (A-11, AN-H-15, etc.) and headset cushions. Below is an enlargement from your photo. Note how far the earphones protrude and how much of the "doughnut" is showing, then compare that to the US version to see the difference. Also shown is the RAF aircrew headset without earphones, then one with RAF earphones and cord (and throat mic). Regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share #46 Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks for posting the RAF version, that's a good comparison with the HS-33. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted August 6, 2019 Share #47 Posted August 6, 2019 Also...the large rubber cups in the A-11 and the AN-H-15 were sewn into the flight helmets...there are examples of the HS headsets with earcups designed for the flight helmets, with the raw unsewn material still attached, being used as HS earcups ..that is earcups never having been sewn on to a flight helmet, redirected as headset earcups.. I am not sure if these flight helmet cups were wartime used or postwar use...but seems feasible they were used during wartime pic is from worthpoint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted August 7, 2019 Share #48 Posted August 7, 2019 Yes Paul it does look like a RAF headset when you zoom in . It has the same bumps on the side. Well I thought I was on to something. Thank you for the clarification and the excellent example of the RAF to compare. Spot on! Phantom that is another interesting example of American ingenuity. Thanks for that pic. Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted October 30, 2019 Share #49 Posted October 30, 2019 pararaftanr2 Do you think these are the same as the pic you posted above? Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted October 30, 2019 Share #50 Posted October 30, 2019 Phil, Yes, I'd say so, and the good news is that the typical British bell-shaped plug and fabric covered wiring they would have been made with has been replaced by what looks like rubber covered wiring and a US PL-354 (red) plug. That may possibly indicate they were in use by someone in the USAAF? Regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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