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Posted

I’m going with a 33… too pretty for a 2😁👍✌️

Posted

Thanks, brother worked the 512 in the early 80's

Posted

No shinola? I was there 84-87 great times 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

Posted

A good "hint" could be the position of the comm cord coming from the helmet shell.

In this case further back then on your usual HGU-2 or 55. So that might indicate an PRK-37 shell (as the HGU-33/P is just a version of that helmet shell)

It seems it is fitted out with GA comm?

 

Cheers,
Ron

 

 

Posted
On 11/24/2024 at 5:45 PM, AMT500E said:

Maybe Flightsuits LTD - 33p

 

It that's the case, there should be a label on the inside. But I doubt it, as the bayonet receiver plates don't show Flight Suits. (looks like Scott or Sierra)

  • 4 weeks later...
FlightGearSTL
Posted

Nice PRK37. Not a FSL or the comm location would be on the side. Does it have styro liner and pads or a form fit liner? 

  • 1 month later...
amateuraero
Posted

With the Sierra mask receiver plates, can not rule out the the helmet is the earlier Sierra PRU-37/P shell assy. that was introduced during the mid-late 1970s before the PRK-37/P shell.  The vast majority of the PRK-37/P helmets that I have seen and had had mask receivers by Gentex/GENTEX and SCOTT.  There could be a label underneath the visor housing also.  I am almost certain the PRK-37/P was introduced 1979-1980.  Nice helmet.  The Gentex HGU-33/P, Gentex/Scott PRK-37/P (there was a HGU-33/P configuration with this shell), Sierra PRU-37/P, Protection Inc. and Sierra custom helmets can look very similar.  Also modified APH-6 series and HGU-22/P shells with leather edge rolls can look similar also.  There was a helmet matrix chart for the HGU-xx/P variants of the PRK-37/P shell.  I do not know if there was one for the PRU-37/P.  Also VTAS helmet shells and modified helmet shells for the VTAS that were converted back to non-VTAS applications can look similar to the HGU-33/P style.  Almost forgot to mention the Gentex DH-151 helmet shell with leather edge roll, etc. ...

 

Mikeym_us
Posted
On 11/18/2024 at 4:59 PM, phantomfixer said:

I’m going with a 33… too pretty for a 2😁👍✌️

I'm seeing earcups in there so it probably has a foam impact liner PRU-40. So safe bet HGU-34 as that has the foam impact liner and earcups. HGU-33 form fit liner and leather covered earpuds.

Mikeym_us
Posted
30 minutes ago, amateuraero said:

With the Sierra mask receiver plates, can not rule out the the helmet is the earlier Sierra PRU-37/P shell assy. that was introduced during the mid-late 1970s before the PRK-37/P shell.  The vast majority of the PRK-37/P helmets that I have seen and had had mask receivers by Gentex/GENTEX and SCOTT.  There could be a label underneath the visor housing also.  I am almost certain the PRK-37/P was introduced 1979-1980.  Nice helmet.  The Gentex HGU-33/P, Gentex/Scott PRK-37/P (there was a HGU-33/P configuration with this shell), Sierra PRU-37/P, Protection Inc. and Sierra custom helmets can look very similar.  Also modified APH-6 series and HGU-22/P shells with leather edge rolls can look similar also.  There was a helmet matrix chart for the HGU-xx/P variants of the PRK-37/P shell.  I do not know if there was one for the PRU-37/P.  Also VTAS helmet shells and modified helmet shells for the VTAS that were converted back to non-VTAS applications can look similar to the HGU-33/P style.  Almost forgot to mention the Gentex DH-151 helmet shell with leather edge roll, etc. ...

 

Don't forget that with this helmet depending on liner configuration can be either HGU-33 or HGU-34. But since this helmet also has a boom mic along with the mask receivers there is also HGU-39 to consider as well. 

amateuraero
Posted

I am almost certain that the PRK-37/P shell matrix chart originally mentioned that 14 configurations could be made and given a HGU-xx/P designation, anywhere from HGU-33/P to HGU-52/P or HGU-52A/P.  I guess what makes a true HGU-33/P type/style shell is being manufactured with a face opening that is cut higher at the top and maybe a little wider at the sides, along with maybe being cut a little higher at the back.  Having a leather edge roll also.  Possibly only configurated with a single visor assy.  Possibly only being configured with a form fit liner?

 

Is the foam core of the edge roll on your helmet dense as with the PRK-37/P shell?  The PRU-37/P may have had a foam core with less dense foam or foam that broke down quicker?  Also, it is most likely that the original black plastic ear cups for the PRU-37/P were marked Sierra with Sierra marked black ear seals that did not have a bump on the bottom.  The original visor assy. for the PRU-37/P may have been a fiberglass single visor housing with manufactured gull wing cut outs along the front edge and two white plastic pieces that were installed along the center visor lock knob track?  Also, from the front top center of the shell to the back edge might have been a shorter distance than with the PRK-37/P shell?  The original liner for the PRU-37/P shell might have been the 2pc poured form fit leather covered type without a styrofoam or thin fiberglass back.  The visor lock knob for the single visor assy. on the

PRU-37/P may have been the tapered type with grooves on the top with a large silver center screw (smaller LH marked).  Color of the knob most likely white or the darker blue, both as with the APH-6 series. 

Posted

The below is a write up taken from the best of flightgear website discussing the PRK-37 shell and it's configurations.

 

The PRK-37 helmet shell assembly 
 by: Steven C. Norris

About 1978, the U.S. Navy began using the PRK-37/P Helmet Shell as the basis for nearly all of its non-helicopter flight helmets. Collectors, dealers and a few authors have misidentified or failed to identify the variations of the PRK-37/P. The following information is several years old and does not take into account recent developments for U.S. Navy flight helmets. But, should clear up some of the mystery surrounding the PRK-37 Helmet shell.

For starters, the PRK-37 helmet shell is listed as a Lightweight version of the APH-6 series helmet. The manual goes on to explain how various components are attached to the basic shell assembly to get the desired configuration (and there are a bunch). The parts of interest:

Visor Assembly Parts

EEK-3/P Laser Protective Visor Assembly. Looks like the standard dual visor assembly only has the Green colored laser protective visor instead of the tinted visor.

EEK-4A/P Single visor Assembly. Standard Navy single visor assembly.

PRU-36/P Dual Visor Assembly. Side actuated standard dual visor assembly.

VTAS Dual Visor Assembly. Visual target Acquisition System (VTAS)

Liner Assembly Parts

PRU-39/P or 39A/P Form fit Liner. Take a cast of the wearers head and make a liner off of it, custom fit.

PRK-40/P Liner Assembly. Two piece Styrofoam liner used with sizing pads

Communications Headset Assembly

The standard Navy communications setup with CX-4708A/AIC cable with two H87B earphones, with the U-172/U connector and MK-634/AIC Clip.

AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier and mounting bracket. Used helmets that use the M-87/AIC boom microphone which require amplification.

CX-13164/A communications cable is used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier and mounting bracket. This cable adapts the boom mic and amplifier to the OV-10 aircraft.

CX-13155/A communications cable. Slight variation of the CX-13164/A. It is also used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier and mounting bracket. This cable adapts the boom mic and amplifier to non-fighter type aircraft (S-2, E-2A, EA-3 etc.)

CX-4832A/AR Communications Cable. Adapts the flight helmet to communications equipment on the P-3A/B/C aircraft. CX-13128/A Communications Cable. Adapts the flight helmet to communications equipment on the S-3 aircraft.

The Finished Units

HGU-33/P: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRU-39 Form fit liner and Headset. Officially for use in aircraft where an oxygen mask is used exclusively.
HGU-34/P: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRK-40 liner assembly, and Headset. Officially for use in aircraft where an oxygen mask is used exclusively and the guy didn't have time to get a cast of his head made. The only difference between a -33 and -34 is the liner. It gets better.
HGU-43/P: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-3/P laser protective dual visor, PRU-39 Form fit liner and Headset. For use in A-6 TRAM aircraft. (HGU-33/P with a laser protective dual visor).
HGU-44/P: Same as the HGU-43/P only use the PRU-36/P dual visor or same as the HGU-33/P only with the PRU-36/P visor. 
HGU-45/P: Same as the HGU-44/P only a boom microphone is attached, and the CX-13164/A communications cable is used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier and mounting bracket. This helmet is used in the OV-10A aircraft when both an oxygen mask and boom microphone is used.
HGU-45A/P: Same as the HGU-45/P only swap the PRU-36/P for an EEK-3/P laser protective dual visor assembly for use in OV-10D aircraft.
HGU-46/P: PRK-37/P shell, VTAS Dual visor assembly, PRU-39 Form fit liner and Headset. Used in F-4 aircraft equipped with Visual target acquisition system.
HGU-47(V1): PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRK-40 liner assembly, and Headset boom microphone is attached, and the CX-13155/A communications cable is used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier and mounting bracket. Used by pilot, co-pilot and crew-members on the following aircraft: S-2, E-2 A/B/C TE-A2, KA-3B, TA-3B, T-28B/C.
HGU-47(V2): PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRK-40 liner assembly, and Headset boom microphone is attached, and the CX-13155/A communications cable is used. No amplifier is used. Used by pilot, co-pilot and crew-members on the following aircraft: C-1A , C-2A.
HGU-47(V3): PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRK-40 liner assembly, and Headset boom microphone is attached, and the CX-13164/A communications cable is used. No amplifier is used and the cable is the CX-13164/A instead of the CX-13155/A. Used on the T-34 Aircraft.
HGU-47(V4): PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRK-40 liner assembly, and Headset boom microphone is attached, and the CX-4832A/AR communications cable is used on P-3 A/B/C.
HGU-49: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRU-39 Form fit liner, standard Headset and boom microphone is attached. The CX-13128/A communications cable is used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier Used in the S-3 aircraft.
HGU-50: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRU-39 Form fit liner. Standard headset wiring is replaced with the 20039 Communication cable. The helmet is equipped with a boom microphone and two CX-13154/A communications cables are used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier. The helmet is used in the aft stations on EA-3B aircraft.
HGU-52: PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P single visor, PRU-39 Form fit liner and standard headset. The helmet is equipped with a boom microphone and the CX-13155/A communications cable used with the AM-3597C/A Boom Microphone amplifier. The helmet is used on E-2 and A-3 type aircraft.

Posted
17 hours ago, cricket said:

The below is a write up taken from the best of flightgear website discussing the PRK-37 shell and it's configurations.

Good to see the site still is of good use after 20 to 25 years. 

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