Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

This helmet aph 5 belonged to a VMA 121 ( attack squadron) pilot.

Rank - Captain

USMCR ( R for reserve) . The officer is a reservist.

The mask ms 22001 belonged to the same pilot and same period (1960)

Vma 121 squadron used the A4 Skyhawk in 1959 and in the beginning of 60's

I tried to shearch some items (photo , gear , ) of the vma 121 squadron in the beginning of the 1960's

IMG_20230902_193839.jpg

IMG_20230902_193907.jpg

IMG_20230902_193954.jpg

IMG_20230902_194028.jpg

Posted

Thanks. The pilot. Captain Richard Francis Gross was in the vmf 141 squadron before vma 121 ( vmf 141 and the name of the pilot written on the mask)

Posted

I had some documents ( dog tags , name tag with wings of gold...) and some gears of him

I add them on the topic soon ( as soon as I find the box

Posted

I have 2 Navy helmet groups. 
 

I need to get them out and photo them

Posted

Thanks. Happy to see them soon .

Tiring to get out the items from  boxes or showcases particularly helmet and O2 mask which are fragile

  • 5 months later...
  • 3 weeks later...
BlueBookGuy
Posted

sorry having noticed this thread lately, one thing sure is interesting to me   -   I have a nearly identical APH-5 together w/ a MS-22001 mask (this one having a much simpler MC-3A connector) dated 1958, that does sport the Hardman Kit as well. 

My mask like your's is equipped w/ the old MC-254 mic that had been replaced by the newer kind, dynamic M-32 AIC microphone when a new and different kind of comm. sets for US military airplanes arrived around 1954. Evidently the change wasn't meant for all the masks?, maybe had this to do with wich the airplane model was back then?

 

Any opinion is very welcomed.   Tinking at first someone who knows where and when, could have replaced the correct microphone in my mask with an older (and uncorrect) one but, likely it isn'the case?

Posted

Hello.

Thé Mask has the date 54/55/56

Some others photos

IMG_20240310_235507.jpg

IMG_20240310_235529.jpg

IMG_20240310_235604.jpg

IMG_20240310_235613.jpg

IMG_20240310_235650.jpg

IMG_20240310_235658.jpg

BlueBookGuy
Posted

most likely the present high-pressure hose + regulator have been fitted later to a mask body sporting such dates? Or maybe not, yet the older and outdated M-254 mike still is there and is part of the integrated hose/comm. system, that's what I've noticed.

Posted

On the green rubber (date 54/55/56) is written " richard gross/ vmf 141/ MAG 2.

 

So this pilot used This Mask from 1954/55 through 1962. Perhaps the connected /system where updated between 55 and 62

IMG_20240311_135027.jpg

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

The "pie chart" with the dots molded on the mask states it was manufactured in October 1956, but that doesn't mean it was issued to the aviator immediately, though 🙂.
The miniregulator (sporting the specific A-4 / F-8 / A-3 REDAR hose) was inspected on March 62 and was due until March 65, so that clearly means he was using this mask setup before, and still flying Skyhawks in 1962 and on.
You should try to look on the mask's hardshell harness, there's usually a label sewn, perhaps it sports a date ?

This APH-5 is very likely from a late 50's contract (circa 57-59) because of the thick leather sizing pads replacing the original "sponge liner", and the Hardman receivers. Either issued as is, or upgraded slightly later with those receivers - but again, just like the mask, the helmet contract date doesn't mean it was issued to the aviator immediately. We can also take into account that Hardman receivers were replaced by Sierra 345-30 black cast receivers circa 1961 (with T-bayos on the masks), so it's safe to say your aviator was issued this helmet prior to 61 and most likely in the late 50's.

Overall, in that material configuration, I'd say you have a very nice Skyhawk APH-5 setup iconic of the late 50's / early 60's 😉 (most probably in the 59-63 period considering all the datation elements).

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

A scarce REDAR model from the 1st generation, I guess. Very nice!

BlueBookGuy
Posted
On 3/28/2024 at 3:39 PM, Vark_07 said:

The "pie chart" with the dots molded on the mask states it was manufactured in October 1956, but that doesn't mean it was issued to the aviator immediately, though 🙂.
The miniregulator (sporting the specific A-4 / F-8 / A-3 REDAR hose) was inspected on March 62 and was due until March 65, so that clearly means he was using this mask setup before, and still flying Skyhawks in 1962 and on.
You should try to look on the mask's hardshell harness, there's usually a label sewn, perhaps it sports a date ?

This APH-5 is very likely from a late 50's contract (circa 57-59) because of the thick leather sizing pads replacing the original "sponge liner", and the Hardman receivers. Either issued as is, or upgraded slightly later with those receivers - but again, just like the mask, the helmet contract date doesn't mean it was issued to the aviator immediately. We can also take into account that Hardman receivers were replaced by Sierra 345-30 black cast receivers circa 1961 (with T-bayos on the masks), so it's safe to say your aviator was issued this helmet prior to 61 and most likely in the late 50's.

Overall, in that material configuration, I'd say you have a very nice Skyhawk APH-5 setup iconic of the late 50's / early 60's 😉 (most probably in the 59-63 period considering all the datation elements).

 

A well detailed post with many useful infos!

I wondered time ago about a more or less precise datation of when the Hardman retention kit was first placed into service. I had many years ago a photocopy of a 1960 USAF manual describing all the personal flight items (clothing and equipment) and the said kit was cited as introduced in early 1958 if I remember correct. Some sources I had found on the web gave instead the 1957 but w/o any further details.

Any way in order to narrow the timeframe as much as possible?  Thanx very much.

Posted

Thanks. Others pics or the mask

IMG_20240409_232050.jpg

IMG_20240409_232111.jpg

IMG_20240409_232127.jpg

Posted

Others pics. Sorry for thé inverted pics.

IMG_20240409_232317.jpg

IMG_20240409_232300.jpg

IMG_20240409_232247.jpg

IMG_20240409_232231.jpg

Posted

Few of his files and his kneeboard

IMG_20240410_002423.jpg

IMG_20240410_002433.jpg

IMG_20240410_002736.jpg

  • 6 months later...

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...