Assistance in PRK-37 identification

[Rooter]

Hello! I have here a PRK-37 shell with some parts I put on it already. When I got it, it was the shell, the CX-4832 cable, and a PRK-40/P liner, which was worse for ware and loose in the shell, so I took it out momentarily to work on the rest of the helmet a little better. Afterwards, I got that EEK visor housing, taped it up and screwed it on, and that nape strap too. Thats all I've done to the helmet for now.

From the looks of it, I think its an HGU-47 (V4), but I have no idea where it was used, nor what squadron it was once attached to. Another thing is that it has holes drilled for the bayonet receivers, but at one point was taped over, as you can see these "dimples" in the tape.

 

[AMT500E]

The comms pig tail and boom mount hole alone might suggest S2, P3 etc.

 

[amateuraero]

Guessing P-3 Orion variant from a squadron stationed at a NAS in California such as VP-19 with NAS Moffett Field, etc.  Mask receivers previously installed were probably removed after previous assignment with a training squadron or P-3 crew position change.  The crew on the flight deck such as Patrol Plane Commander and pilot positions might have used oxygen masks when needed?  Seems like that I have seen the helmet artwork before in a book or online.  Maybe in a documentary.  There should be a contract date on the communications cable.  For example ...82-C-... for 1982.

 

 

 

 

[Mikeym_us]

Those earcup piles need to be refoamed as the original foam disintegrated. Pretty easy to do with 1/8" thick anti static foam sheets which is what I did with the earcup  piles in my HGU-55. Visor cover is also missing the velcro pile patch on the visor for attaching the distress strobe onto the visor cover.

[Rooter]

On 11/22/2025 at 7:53 PM, Mikeym_us said:

Those earcup piles need to be refoamed as the original foam disintegrated. Pretty easy to do with 1/8" thick anti static foam sheets which is what I did with the earcup  piles in my HGU-55. Visor cover is also missing the velcro pile patch on the visor for attaching the distress strobe onto the visor cover.

Thank you very much Mike, I didn't actually know that was something I had to do, so I'll be doing that very soon. As for the velcro, I have it on standby for after I finish adding some more designs to the housing there. 

[Rooter]

On 11/20/2025 at 10:40 PM, amateuraero said:

Guessing P-3 Orion variant from a squadron stationed at a NAS in California such as VP-19 with NAS Moffett Field, etc.  Mask receivers previously installed were probably removed after previous assignment with a training squadron or P-3 crew position change.  The crew on the flight deck such as Patrol Plane Commander and pilot positions might have used oxygen masks when needed?  Seems like that I have seen the helmet artwork before in a book or online.  Maybe in a documentary.  There should be a contract date on the communications cable.  For example ...82-C-... for 1982.

 

 

 

 

The date on my cable says 88-C, but thank you for all the information, I'm pretty interested in learning about the helmet and its history.