mwesson030 Posted June 4, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 4, 2020 I picked up this helmet earlier this year along with a flight suit, dress uniform, and a few other pieces of equipment all belonging to one John Apple. After doing some digging online and through the National Archives, I was able to find that he had a distinguished career. Some highlights include an aerial victory in WW2, extensive time as an experimental test pilot, participation in Operation REDWING, and distinction in Vietnam with two Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The helmet flown in 559th TFS from 1968-1969, an F-4C Phantom squadron based out of Cam Ranh Bay. Unfortunately it is heavily damaged, but it certainly has character. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwesson030 Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted June 4, 2020 Photo of another pilot from the 559th in 1969 with a similar helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwesson030 Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted June 4, 2020 Medal papers pertaining to his service in the 559th. Most of them are somewhat generic, but one is given specifically for his actions during the Battle of Duc Lap, a besieged special forces camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted June 4, 2020 Share #4 Posted June 4, 2020 A very nice grouping.Love the F-4 items.The helmet visor and track have been damaged over the years.He never would have flown it in that condition.I would be tempted to replace the visor cover and track,but that's just me. It would drive me crazy like that. I have about 15 or 20 of these visors covers if you want one PM me. Visors and knobs and tracks are available as you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted June 4, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 4, 2020 That's a great helmet! Thanks for the photos. It is a bummer that the visor cover is so broken and that chunk is missing. Perhaps you can at least glue it back together at the rear visor track so that you can put a visor and visor knob back in it without messing too much with it. Worth a shot anyway I think! What does the flight suit look like? Are there any patches on it? -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted June 4, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 4, 2020 Awesome helmet...love it when you can get the complete setup as found... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwesson030 Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted June 5, 2020 Here is the flight suit, model K-2B. Unfortunately no squadron patches, but this is the one he flew in during his tour in Vietnam. The reference photo of the pilot in the squadron is one from a veteran of the 559th during 68-69 I tracked down and spoke to while researching this group. He said that he didn’t remember anyone having squadron patches outside of rank and name tapes on their flight suits. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted June 5, 2020 Share #8 Posted June 5, 2020 killer!..all that patina..named...wonder what is call sign was...can only imagine... 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