1canpara Posted May 30, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 30, 2020 Just looking for opinions on whether this early A-8 flight helmet may have been used in early jump training by an airborne officer. It’s named and has an officers number, but I don’t recall seeing any AAF flight helmets marked in this way so that’s why I wonder if maybe it could have been para training cap. The chin cup is clearly not an airborne issue one. Collector of WWII M-1helmets and WWII Airborne items Link to post Share on other sites
dmar836 Posted May 31, 2020 Share #2 Posted May 31, 2020 I have one or two of these but I have never heard of a way to determine if they were part of the early parachute program. I assume, like so many other items, that provenance is about the only way. If the O-number comes up as a parachute vet then I would be comfortable with the assumption. Otherwise, IMO, it is AAF gear. JMO, Dave Link to post Share on other sites
1canpara Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted May 31, 2020 Thanks Dave! Collector of WWII M-1helmets and WWII Airborne items Link to post Share on other sites
Allan H. Posted May 31, 2020 Share #4 Posted May 31, 2020 I have found that over the years, the A-8 helmet is REALLY hard to find compared to the A-9 and other flight helmets. Here is a photo of early WWII paratroopers wearing the balloon cloth coverall, A-8 flight helmet and jump boots with ankle buckles. I took the photo from this website- http://www.woo-life.com/dev/mister-freedom-spot-camo-chute-jump-scarf/ The A-8 really isn't good for a whole lot from an aviation point of view. It was basically a head cover for pilots in an open cockpit. It worked as intended for the paratroops, though it was eventually determined to be an unnecessary piece of clothing/ equipment as troopers wore the airborne version of the M1 steel helmet (the M2). Allan Never under-estimate the power of prayer. Link to post Share on other sites
1canpara Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted May 31, 2020 Thanks Allan, that’s great info. I’m leaning towards the possibility that this one could have been used in airborne trading then. If anyone can assist me in looking up the name or number to see if it comes back to an airborne officer I’d be very grateful. Collector of WWII M-1helmets and WWII Airborne items Link to post Share on other sites
Allan H. Posted May 31, 2020 Share #6 Posted May 31, 2020 7 hours ago, 1canpara said: Thanks Allan, that’s great info. I’m leaning towards the possibility that this one could have been used in airborne trading then. If anyone can assist me in looking up the name or number to see if it comes back to an airborne officer I’d be very grateful. I'm afraid that I can't read what is stamped there besides "JURY." Officer's numbers are harder to research than enlisted, but if you could type out what you are reading on the stamped info, we might get lucky. Allan Never under-estimate the power of prayer. Link to post Share on other sites
1canpara Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted May 31, 2020 Thanks Allan. I make it out to be F.H. Jury O-8328 ....there’s another two digits at the end, 28, but they appear to be a different font and I’ve never seen a “laundry number” with six digits, so I don’t know what to make of those extra numbers. Rick Collector of WWII M-1helmets and WWII Airborne items Link to post Share on other sites
Allan H. Posted May 31, 2020 Share #8 Posted May 31, 2020 Rick, That is his full service number. I'll see if I can find anything, but for now, the "Jury is out." Allan Never under-estimate the power of prayer. Link to post Share on other sites
1canpara Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted May 31, 2020 👍🏼😂....thanks Allan! Collector of WWII M-1helmets and WWII Airborne items Link to post Share on other sites
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