hink441 Posted October 8, 2019 Share #1 Posted October 8, 2019 I consider myself lucky and was able to win this nice VA-34 Blue Blaster HGU-33 helmet at a local auction. I hope you guys like it as much as I like this helmet. I also know the Naval Aviator who owned this helmet and actually launched him a few times as a young Plane Captain in the A-6 Intruder community. The mask was added by me and was not included in the auction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted October 8, 2019 Share #2 Posted October 8, 2019 VERY nice helmet. It's even better that you have a personal connection to it. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted October 8, 2019 VERY nice helmet. It's even better that you have a personal connection to it. Congratulations! Thanks Steve B. This Aviator is a top knotch guy. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwesson030 Posted October 8, 2019 Share #4 Posted October 8, 2019 Awesome looking helmet. The ones that show some honest use always look the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horridohutch Posted October 8, 2019 Share #5 Posted October 8, 2019 Outstanding helmet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted October 8, 2019 Share #6 Posted October 8, 2019 You need an "in use" photo from your pilot as a topper to this beautiful helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted October 8, 2019 You need an "in use" photo from your pilot as a topper to this beautiful helmet. That would be a great picture to have. I did get a picture of him handing the helmet to me after the auction. This guy was a career A-6 Aviator going back to Vietnam. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted October 8, 2019 Awesome looking helmet. The ones that show some honest use always look the best.Thank you, your VA-176 helmet is a beauty also. They were in the same hangar as the Blue Blasters. Thank you for all the comments. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted October 9, 2019 This helmet came with this hand-made (Rigger made) helmet bag. I also got another one of his helmets with bag and some flight gear, and flight suits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted October 9, 2019 Share #10 Posted October 9, 2019 He supposedly was quite the character....wearing a leather helmet instead of a hard helmet during his Vietnam tour. Also one of the youngest Navy pilots to fly combat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT500E Posted October 9, 2019 Share #11 Posted October 9, 2019 These squadron level, rigger taped and flight used helmets from the past are (IMO) the apex of helmet collectables and the patina they often display are just a subtle form of recorded history. Excellent find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted October 9, 2019 He supposedly was quite the character....wearing a leather helmet instead of a hard helmet during his Vietnam tour. Also one of the youngest Navy pilots to fly combat! Great detective work! Yes this is the same Aviator. He is well known in the A-6 community. I would like to keep his name private though out of respect for his privacy. Thank you for the kind comments. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted October 25, 2019 Share #13 Posted October 25, 2019 Chris, just saw this post... really cool taped helmet! Glad you got it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted October 25, 2019 Chris, just saw this post... really cool taped helmet! Glad you got it! Thank you Linda for the heads up on the auction!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted March 3, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted March 3, 2020 Just wanted to add these two other pics to this thread. This is the retired Aviator on the right and yours truly on the left. This is a picture of the Captain's last helmet while on active duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted March 3, 2020 Share #16 Posted March 3, 2020 Great looking helmet. Add to it you got to shake the hand of the man who used it!! Priceless!!! Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted March 3, 2020 Share #17 Posted March 3, 2020 Very cool-! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted April 6, 2020 Found a couple more blue blaster helmet pics online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share #19 Posted April 9, 2020 Another Blaster helmet from the same time frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRIS FORD Posted April 9, 2020 Share #20 Posted April 9, 2020 VA-34 also had the honor of the last A-6 Intruder cat shot on my old ship, the USS George Washington. I'm the guy up in Vulture's Row lol They were a big part of the birds I saw in my time in the Navy. I'm SURE he and I were on board the GW at the same time. (I was 92-96) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now