The first test with the MBU-12 (before it got the name MBU-12) date back to 1974. The first pre-production ones where fielded in 1976 and around 1979 production started. So it is very well possible that they used MBU-12 soft parts for this mask. (same as they did on the HGU-51/P mask and some others) The 12/P is made out of a soft and an hard part that are bonded together. (makes more sense then handcraft an identical part)

UA3          

Sir, you are one lucky man for that amount! It is worth a bit more than that.  

Speculation… is the MBU-12/p based on this mask? The shell/body are distinctly similar..

I'll try to find the 111th again to get a better picture if needed.

Greetings! That's quite a stretch to assume this helmet was a "Little Bird" helmet used by the TF160 or later the 160th SOAR. I wore this helmet along with thousands, literally 10's of thousands of Army Aviators and Crewman from the early 80's till the mid 90's. Black CARC or any other black paint is not a validating factor. I kept my helmet as others did, it was painted by ALSE personnel various times, during Desert Storm there was wide latitude in painting helmets. No name or inspection data leads me to think it was a surplus or salvaged helmet.  Additionally the helmets used by the AH-6 or MH-6 crews were beat to hell. The cockpit is tight and there's very little room to stow it when taking it off or preparing to fly..every one I've seen are scratched m scarred and have indications of multiple modifications present.  Also if it belonged to the individual referenced in the obituary, it's surprising that his service in an elite aviation unit wasn't mentioned. It could have been something a crew chief or armament tech might have worn.

Thats amazing! I got it for 15$ so im quite shocked it is actually as rare as it is. Thank you guys!

Trying to determine value- brought back by me - member of 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team ( Artic Wolves- 2006- awarded valorous unit award) we were the unit in Mosul for a year that got extended for four more months for the surge and sent to Baghdad.  This is a 7 ft x 4 ft sign for the first election held in modern Iraq- i brought it back because of the historical significance.  AI says value $350-700-  just trying to see if that is accurate. Military show coming to town soon , and daughter starting college soon….. any input would be appreciated . 

and wanted to say hello. I’m in Somerset County, ‘bout 120 miles west of Gettysburg on Rt 30. Been a Civil War buff since I learned to read. So was my Dad. Also became infatuated with The Alamo and The Indian Wars on the Plains, particularly Custer and The LBH. I was a 63W in the Army (3rd shop wheeled vehicle mechanic) from 1985 to 1989 at Ft Lewis. My Old Man was a WW2 vet of the Second Armored Division (41srt Armored Infantry Regiment). Lately read “Dawn Like Thunder”  by Glenn Tucker, and I’m about 1/3 way into Ian Toll’s “Six Frigates”. I haven’t figured out quite how to work this forum yet.  But I’m looking forward to sharing some thoughts and discussions. PTRN