Hi All,

 

Well since I am on an APH-5 kick for some reason with my current restoration I have posted here, I wanted to share my latest two helmet pickups - both army APH-5s.

 

First up is a white 1962 contract dated helmet, pretty similar to the one I'm in the process of restoring. It's complete except for the nape strap. The earcups and chinstrap are pretty toasty but okay for the most part. I think all this one really needs is a good cleanup.

 

 

The fitting pads in the interior are still in place which is pretty nice. The edge roll is loose in places but a little contact cement should fix that.

The one odd thing about this helmet is that the comm plug boot is covered in tape... It looks pretty old, but does anyone have any idea what this may be all about? I would remove it but would it have been wrapped up in tape for a reason??

Next up in this 1966 dated APH-5. What's interesting about this one is that is seems to have come from the factory white, but at some point, someone sprayed it green. It looks it was applied "in the field" as the person that painted it didn't mask off the edge roll or other rubber bits. Even the screw heads have green paint on them.

This one is missing the fitting pads but is otherwise complete. I wonder who painted the helmet and when it was done. Without knowing any of it's history, we can only speculate. It could been done in the service or I guess in Jim Bob's garage last month At any rate, I like the look and use this helmet seems to have gotten.

 

Thanks for looking at these two new pickups. These just need to be cleaned up and will be ready to be displayed.

 

-Derek

 

I believe in the book "Chickenhawk" he talks about having white helmets in training and painting them green just before being sent overseas to Vietnam.

I still have my original 1969 APH 5 from Ft. Wolters but it is missing 2 visor screws and the 3 inside cushions have been lost over the years.Can anybody recommend a source for these?Thank you.

one of the more difficult parts to find for an early flight helmet, HGU or APH

are the original pads. Aviationhelmet.com (Gov Sales) in Ct. can help you

With the pads but they won't be like original issue.

Army APH pads pop up time to time NOS, but even being NOS they are usually dry rotted out. They would still have a good external look though. My fathers 68 dated helmet from Wolters had the pads dry out and crumble. Never bothered changing them out, some how the ear cups are still fully pliable.

Thank you both for your replies.I'll try Aviation Helmet.