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P-1A Jet Pilot's Helmet


VMI88
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I thought I'd post today's purchase, a P-1A pilot's helmet. These helmets are rare enough anyway but this one has some really interesting squadron markings:

 

post-265-1291845994.jpg

 

The tigers are reminiscent of the one on the 14th Air Force patch and has a distinctly Asian look. Does anyone have any information on what squadron might have used this design?

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It's named across the visor frame but unfortunately it's a common name and I'd probably need to narrow it down to a specific squadron to research.

 

post-265-1291846896.jpg

 

It's also missing part of the chinstrap. All in all, a well-used flight helmet that could have seen some very interesting history! If anyone has any research leads for identifying it, I'd appreciate it.

 

Bill

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I thought I'd post today's purchase, a P-1A pilot's helmet. These helmets are rare enough anyway but this one has some really interesting squadron markings:

 

post-265-1291845994.jpg

 

The tigers are reminiscent of the one on the 14th Air Force patch and has a distinctly Asian look. Does anyone have any information on what squadron might have used this design?

 

Neat helmet. I did some internet research and found 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 'Geiger Tiger' . Maybe this was one of the pilots from that squadron. The internet has some info on the 498th.

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Johnny Signor

This could have been an F-80 pilot,F-84,F-86 ,F-89 etc , try the Fighter Escort and Fighter Interceptor Squadrons/Wings , the ones I know of that had a Tiger in one form or another are , 78th Fighter Sqd(20th Grp/Wg), 23rd Fighter Group(Wing), 53rd Fighter Sqd(32nd Grp/Wg), 11th Fighter Squadron, 26th Fighter Interceptor Sqd(51st FIW), 498th FIS(84th Grp/Wg), 437th FIS .

Johnny

The design doesn't neccesarily have to copy the unit's emblem exactly or at all it could have just been "nose Art" type too .

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Interesting artwork. This is a modified P1-A by virtue of its retro-fitted visor. Originally, the P1 series was designed to be worn in conjunction with the standard B8 aviators' goggles. Surplus examples of the P1 were frequently used by bikers who, naturally, applied their own distinctive colours and markings to the shells.

 

Sabrejet

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Re my previous post about it being a modified P1-A...does its label actually read "P1-A"? The factory-made version with the visor was designated P-4...unless yours is actually a retro-fitted P-1A? Either way, nice helmet!

 

Sabrejet :thumbsup:

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Re my previous post about it being a modified P1-A...does its label actually read "P1-A"? The factory-made version with the visor was designated P-4...unless yours is actually a retro-fitted P-1A?

Yes, the labels in both the helmet and the lining read P-1A. The label in the helmet has a space for the date of manufacture to be stamped but it was either left blank or is now illegible.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Yes, the labels in both the helmet and the lining read P-1A. The label in the helmet has a space for the date of manufacture to be stamped but it was either left blank or is now illegible.

 

Very nice P series helmet. Black leather pads for attaching mask are more typical of the earlier P-1A version. The P-1A with integrated visor is not P-4 but P-3. But many P-1A or B have been upgraded with visor (type I and II).

On P-1A, I have never seen any date on the label. The mfg date is present on P-1B label.

 

Franck

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  • 8 years later...

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