Spanish F-4 Phantom HGU-26/P set (mid-70's / 80's)

[Vark_07]

Greetings everyone ! 😀

Today, I'm excited to present you a PHantastic find that is clearly not your traditional USAF or USN helmet set !

Behold this HGU-26/P named shell that belonged to an F-4C / RF-4C driver of the Spanish Air Force's 12th Fighter Wing (Ala 12), during the mid 70's / mid 80's era.

 

 

 

First, a little history : the Phantom in Spain

The "Ejército del Aire" (=Spanish Air Force, or SpAF) received its 36 ex-USAF F-4C Phantom II airframes between 1971-72 through the "Peace Alfa" military aid program.

They were locally named C-12, C standing for fighter (Caza) and 12 indicating that it was the 12th fighter type to enter service since the end of the Civil War.

These planes were operated by the "Ala de Caza n°12" (12th Fighter Wing) based at Torrejón de Ardoz -near Madrid- within the 121st and 122nd Escuadrones (squadrons). Consequently, the more modern and capable Phantoms quickly took over the old F-86s and F-104Gs in the air defense role.

 

 

In 1978 came 4 more F-4Cs, and the first 4 recce RF-4Cs (named CR-12) with "Peace Alfa II".
Since these recon jets were too few to constitute a squadron by themselves, they were poured in the 122nd Sq. within a small reconnaissance pool mixed with the F-4C fighters.

 

 

In 1989, eight more RF-4C airframes (ex- Kentucky A.N.G.) arrived to complete the recon fleet, just by the time 121 and 122 Sq. started to transition to EF-18A Hornets, withdrawing all the air defense F-4Cs in the meantime.

As a result, all the remaining Phantoms of the Spanish Air Force were RF-4Cs as of 1990.

Since the young EF-18 of 121 and 122 Sq. weren't equipped to perform recon missions at that time, the recce Phantoms were therefore transferred in a third squadron, the 123rd Escuadron "Titanes", that operated up to 14 planes (6 additional airframes came in 1995 and the whole recent fleet was upgraded at that time, while the oldest 1978 examples were grounded and used for spare parts).

 

The last RF-4C Phantoms were withdrawn from service in 2002, leaving the Hornets to perform both recon and air defense missions in Ala 12.

 

Throughout their service, Spanish Phantoms sported 3 distinctive color schemes, but in fact, they had just kept their original US camouflage after delivery.

 

1. Three-tone "woodland" camouflage (F-4C and first RF-4C)
2. Two-tone grey (additional 1989 / 1995 RF-4Cs)
3. Full grey (additional RF-4C as well)

Patches of Ala12 and its F-4C / RF-4C squadrons

 

The ALA 12 motto "No le busques tres pies... [al gato en lugar de cinco]" is a shortened version of a local proverb inspired by the novel "Don Quixote".

This expression, that can be translated litterally by "Don't argue trying to find three legs on a cat instead of five", is used in Spain to imply "Don't test my patience !..."
The choice of the hissing black cat as an emblem illustrates both the hidden text and the meaning of the motto.

• F-4C (C-12) : 40 planes, 1971-1989
• RF-4C (CR-12) : 14 planes, 1978-2002

 

 

The shell

This colorful painted shell features some cool refercences, starting with the Phantom's of course, and sports a wonderful patina with countless dents and scratches, yellowing and grime, evidence of an intensive flight use.

 

As you can see at first sight, this example comes as a real "off the shelf" -26/P, with all its iconic components :

The classic PRU-36/P dual visor housing, stud / strings earcups' external retentions, cast bayonet receivers, white chin / nape straps, a thin tan edgeroll, and the left comm port.

On the inside, can be seen an early one-piece polystyrene liner without cooling holes (confirming the helmet is based on the HGU-22/P shell) + 3 sizing pads fixed with velcro, brow pad, and velcro-fixed earcups. The usual HGU-26/P "before poured liner introduction", so to say.

 

 

This impressive red jagged cross pattern that covers the back and both sides is actually no random decoration.
I found out it was a reminder of the traditional "Cross of Burgundy", which was the official Spanish flag during the 1506-1701 period.
The iconic Phantom "Spook" is present on the center of this painted pattern with a cool-looking sticker !

 

Detail of the Spook sticker holding the Spanish roundel, splitted with the black on white "San André's cross".
This cross marking has been present on the tail of every SpAF plane since the end of the Civil War (see planes' pics in the previous paragraph).

 

The PRU-36/P visor housing features an inverted Vee pattern painted in the colors of the Spanish flag roundel (red / yellow / red).

I sports a slightly faded black flocked inscription "ALA12" on the left side, and a partial Phantom silhouette stenciled on the right.

 

The back label tells that the shell was manufactured by SCOTT, size LARGE.
It indicates a part number (PN), but lacks the contract date as you may notice. However, a quick search for the PN easily led me to a 1972 introduction for this type of shell.
Also note the small engraved metal plate riveted above the mfg. label, which seems to be characteristic of SpAF helmets of this era (pilot tag, or helmet serial N°...).

 

Other Spanish -2A/P and -26/P showing a similar (or evidence of) metal tag.

 

 

A Dymo embossed name label of the aviator is sticked on the brow area, visible when the smoked visor is retracted.
The shell was named after TTE Morate (TTE = Teniente, which means Lieutenant).

 

The PRU-36/P dual-visor mechanism works just fine ; a look on the inside of the housing tells us it was GENTEX-made.
The SCOTT clear visor is in very good shape, although the GENTEX smoked one sports a few scratches (the foil label fell off while unpacking).

 

Close-up on the chin and nape straps. Note the black padding.

Detail of the worn out offset cast bayonet receivers (Lang MFG.)
Noteworthy, a partially covered hole in the shell in this area (see arrow) proves that the receivers were formerly mounted straight.
So there's definitely a sign of retrofit during this shell's lifetime.

 

The mask I chose for this set (found on the used market) is a SCOTT-made MBU-5/P - see further explainations later in the review.

It is fitted with a crossed harness, coiled comm cord + delta-amplifier, 3-pin O² conector, and offset J-bayonets to fit the cast receivers' position.

Dated 4th quarter 1988, it's a size REGULAR NARROW, and a well-preserved used example.

 

Since it was a fairly common habit in the SpAF just as in the USAF, and given that my shell was already named, I decided to add a Dymo label to customize the hardshell (luckily, some colleague had an embossed label maker at home).

 

 

 

About the retrofit & decoration

Various Spanish HGU-2A/P and -26/P shell decorations of the mid-60's / 80's era (flown on F-5, F-104, F4...)

As you can see, the use of T-bayonets was the norm in the SpAF during this period with the MBU-5/P masks, which corroborates the retrofit statement.
Besides, according to the stickers / decals showing different planes on the same helmet (picture with the F-5 and F-104), I imagine the pilots were to keep the same helmet throughout their service.

 

Evidence of Ala 12 -26/P shell decorations during the Phantom II era.
Note the J-bayonets on the left pilot's mask, and T-bayonets for the one on the right.

The wear marks on the paintjob and sticker do indicate my shell saw flight use after this decoration was applied, although I noticed it covers a part of the dents and scratches on it.

My guess is that the aviator was issued this shell with straight bayonet cast receivers when he joined the SpAF ; then he decorated it later at some point of his carreer while entering or serving in the Ala 12, probably at the same time the cast bayonets were mounted offset to accomodate the J-bayonets on a new MBU-5/P mask.

 

 

 

Dating the shell & finding the right mask

Wrongly listed as a 90's era set because of a suspicious MBU-12/P that was sold with it (dated 1992, with a US callsign engraved and some odd demand valve attached to the hose end...), my searches and reasoning led me to the mid 70's - mid 80's for dating this Spanish helmet's time of use.

 

Starting by the end of the -26/Ps timeframe, the last years of these shells in the SpAF were not extremely hard to figure, because according to Phantom pictures and videos from the 80's I found on the web, it looks like these shells started to be replaced by HGU-55/Ps circa 86-88, preparing the crews to the flight gear they'd use on the upcoming Hornets (some were already training in the USA).

By the year 1989 and forth, the -55/P had undoubtedly become the norm.
Same goes with the MBU-12/Ps : these O² masks paired with HGU-55/Ps had replaced the former MBU-5/Ps as of the late 80's.

 

ALA 12 Phantoms 1971- early 80's
HGU-2A/P and HGU-26/P
MBU-5/P masks with T bayonets

 

Ala 12 Phantoms circa 1985
HGU-26/P
MBU-5/P masks with T and J bayonets

 

Ala 12 Phantoms in 1988
Mostly HGU-55/P, scarce 26/P still in use (see WSO on the top pic)
Remaining MBU-5/P masks with J bayonets + grey / green MBU-12/P

 

Ala 12 (123rd Sq. RF-4C) 1989-2002
HGU-55/P + MBU-12/P

Now, as we've seen before, my shell's PN corresponds to a 1972 introduction, so l assumed it was manufactured by SCOTT between that year and the mid 70's (thinking by analogy with the following 73 and 75 Sierra examples that show the same PN), even if nothing allows us to know precisely the year it was issued to Lt. Morate.
 

 

Putting all the previous informations together, the most reasonable -and plausible- dating I could make of such HGU-26/P shell retrofitted for J-bayonets lies within the 75-85 period, and therefore necessarily meant to be paired with an MBU-5/P mask, iconic of Ala 12's first Phantom II era (1971-1989)... and most Phantoms worldwide at that time, actually 😁 (the naval versions put aside).

 

 

 

Possible squadrons of Ala 12 Lt. Morate served in

 

Even if the listing mentioned that the set (with MBU-12 mask) was the aviator's in the 90's while serving in the 123rd Sq. (second SpAF Phantom II era : 1989-2002), I found it highly unlikely given this unit started flying its RF-4Cs as of 1989 after the HGU-55/P transition.
Thus, given the information gathered previously, while a -55/P paired with a remaining MBU-5/P could still be possible in the late 80's (early 90's, tops), a 1992 MBU-12 mask and a -26/P shell were both an anachronic & mismatching pair regarding the seller's statement.
However, I'm not arguing about the fact the aviator may have seved in the 123rd during the 90's, but I'm almost certain it was not with this HGU-26/P shell.

 

As a result, only the 121st and 122nd Escuadrones match this -26/P for the estimated 75-85 period, so it's pretty safe to assess that Lt. Morate served in one of those units during his time on the first Phantom II era (1971-1989) with this particular helmet.

According to the planes in service before 1989 (40 F-4C and 4 RF-4C) within these two squadrons, that makes it a 90% probability in favor of the F-4C, and 10% for the RF-4C.

Or perhaps both, who knows ?! 🙂

 

This is it, folks, hope you enjoyed this new writeup !
As always, I'll gladly appreciate you to leave your opinion, or any helpful comment, hypothesis & additional information 😉

 

Cheers !
- Gauthier / Vark_07

 

In the case you wanted to take a ride back in time with Spanish Phantoms and see how it was like being an Ala 12 pilot between 78 to 91, I warmly invite you to visit the public personal photo album of Captain Carlos Ramirez LEDESMA, SpAF retired (I used some of his pictures to illustrate this writeup).
It's a rare and unique testimony that is sure worth the look, and I thank him very much for putting it online 👍 !

[72psb]

An excellent history and a beautiful service used helmet! I have one question. If the ear cups are held in with velcro, why the need for the string retainers?

I always assumed the the strings were to aid in pulling in the earcups on the spring loaded mounts. Up and secure to ease removal of the helmet. Free to let the spring mounts to put pressure on the earcups to aid protection and hearing of the pilot.

[Vark_07]

Thanks for you comment Bob !

 

I know what you mean, and that indeed makes obvious sense for headsets that were spring-loaded (on early / intermediate HGU-2A/P for instance).

As far as I know, I've encountered 3 configurations for the headsets using the string / stud retention :

 

• with spring-loaded earcups (HGU-2A/P and Army APH-5A), where the strings help pulling and maintaining the earcups in retracted position,
• with basic foam spacers glued on the earcups or the shell (HGU-2A/P and -26/P), where the strings secure the headset in position,
• with velcro-fixed earcups, sometimes with foam spacers as well (HGU-2A/P and -26/P), where the strings are either present but kind of useless, or either removed (both cases can be seen on the web ; my other 26/P still has them for instance).

 

I confess though that the velcro headset retention on the Spanish -26/P is worn out (missing parts of the velcro, glue remains on earcups and shell, perhaps a former foam spacer ?), and the strings show wear marks and blackening where they slide inside the shell's grommets.

So in the end, the headset hangs loose when the strings are removed from the retention studs, which makes them useful again, after all 😁...

[Wayward Son]

WOW! Great write up. Thanks for the history and photos. Tremendous addition to your collection!

[AMT500E]

Vark_07, this is a very refreshing post with lots of interesting info & questions.

The string/velcro combination is not uncommon for the early earcup upgrade during that 

era of development.

Bravo!!  for your latest score! 

 

 

[Paulruss]

Outstanding!

[mohawkALSE]

Great looking helmet. 

[Vark_07]

Thanks a lot for the comments, gents 🙂.

 

By the time I got this writeup posted, I grabbed on the French used market a CRU-60/P 1981 example (with parachute harness platform) that occured to have been manufactured by SCOTT, so given the prominence of SCOTT parts on this helmet set and the datation fitting right in, I decided to connect it to the mask.

 

 

[mohawkALSE]

That CRU should fit just right.  Its missing the rubber O-ring at the bottom above those 2 pin disconnects.  Scott usually had a green O-ring, Gentex and another make seemed to have Red and older Sierra ones were usually white.  There was no real rhyme or reason to the colors, was probably just what was on hand.  

[Vark_07]

Yeah, I knew the O-ring was missing, but for 17$ with the harness platform, it was a bargain I couldn't miss anyway ! 😁

Thank you for the color information, didn't know if it had something to do wether with the manufacturer or the era.
I'll eventually see in a home improvement store if I could find some green rubber rings of the same size that would do the trick.

[72psb]

Check down at the local garage  that fix  automotive air conditioners. They use various colors of o-rings for their connections. They are usually green and blue.

[mohawkALSE]

3 hours ago, Vark_07 said:

Yeah, I knew the O-ring was missing, but for 17$ with the harness platform, it was a bargain I couldn't miss anyway ! 😁

Thank you for the color information, didn't know if it had something to do wether with the manufacturer or the era.
I'll eventually see in a home improvement store if I could find some green rubber rings of the same size that would do the trick.

Hell 17 dollars and knowing it was in Europe too  that is a steal.  Id probably pay 17 for the mounting plate.    The first CRU-60 I got was a brean new sealed in the package Scott from 1990 for 39 dollars, thought I did good them.  Took me a few years later to get the mounting plate, which I sort of spent 200 on since I bought it with a complete BA-22 parachute that actually originally came from Europe but ended up back in the US after it was pulled from service. The logs and yellow tag showed it was at a NATO E-3A unit in Germany if I recall correct.  But even back then 200 for a whole complete back parachute was a pretty good deal too.

 

The O Rings are kind of a mix, both of era and make