Original U.S. 1950s Navy High Altitude Full Pressure MK IV MOD. 2 Flight Helmet & Mark IV Mod 3 Pressure Suit with Helmet Transit Case - NASA Mercury Program

Original Item: Only One Available. A nearly identical example of this MKIV High Altitude helmet can be found in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum at this link. A nearly identical example of this Mark IV Pressure Suit can be found in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum at this link.

This is an excellent set, the first complete set we have ever offered, consisting of a very rare U.S. Navy  Mk IV, Mod 2, Type 1 Helmet and an even more rare Mark IV, Mod 3, Type 1A Pressure Suit.

The MK IV Mod 2 is undoubtedly one of the absolute hardest examples of the U.S. Military Flight Headgear to locate, with very few having been made, and even less surviving to today. These helmets seldom come to market, with most being retained in museums and private collections. We have had the opportunity to offer very few of these helmets in the past, however, this is the first complete helmet and suit set we have ever had the pleasure of offering.

This Helmet is dated “10-61” (October 1961) and was manufactured by the B. F. Goodrich Company. These Helmets, along with the corresponding suit, were later used as the basis of NASA’s original Earth-Oribital Suit used during the Mercury Program. In fact, the original Mercury Program Prototype Suits were reworked MKIV Suits reworked to meet the needs of the space program!

The Helmet is complete with both clear and sun visors, US Navy decal and earphones (marked “H-143/AIC / ROANWELL CORP”). The circular crown padding at the top of the interior suspension reads as follows:

3626
HEADPIECE, MK IV MOD 2
FULL PRESSURE SUIT
TYPE I
STOCK No. RG 8475-736-4394-LF50
MFG’D BY THE B.F. GOODRICH CO.
DATE MFG’D  10 61
CONTRACT NO. N383-70891-A
U.S. NAVY

The reverse exterior of the Helmet features a B.F. Goodrich logo decal, and below a “USN” Decal. The electrical cord coming from the back of the helmet is still retained, marked U-93A/U. 

The interior of the helmet has some of the earphone material falling out, which happens often with these. The visor is mostly intact, but there is an unfortunate crack in the bottom right portion, though this is not very noticeable.

The Mk IV Pressure Suit is in very fine condition, but the primary zipper is now seized in place with the cloth around it torn apart, so it can never be moved again. This means the suit won’t likely be able to be on a mannequin, but it still has very much display potential hanging on its own with the helmet attached. We were able to attach the helmet for the most part, but due to the age of the rubber washer around its length, it is now a bit expanded and we couldn’t get the helmet 100% locked into place. However it is still in place and should look great for display. 

Much of the suit is stiff, and the insignia including the USN lettering on the chest and arm, and the Navy wings on the other arm, show heavy fraying and wear to the embroidery. The arms are in fair condition with the small orange tabs still sticking out, now very stiff. The leg retains the pressure gauge, a very cool detail, and the suit retains its harness.

The suit retains the original label inside, very hard to reach:

SUIT, HIGH ALTITUDE
FULL PRESSURE, MK IV
UNIT: TORSO SIZE LARGE LONG
TYPE: MK IV MOD 3 TYPE 1A
THE B.F. GOODRICH CO., AKRON, OHIO
CONTRACT NO. N383-82956A
DATE OF MFR.
SPECIFICATION: MIL-S-21395A (WEP)
U.S. NAVY

The helmet retains its original scarce transit case, which the helmet locks into. The case has four latches which close to allow the case to be carried from the handle at the top. The case has a U.S. Naval aviator wing decal on the side. The case is roughly 12” tall and 13” in diameter. One of the four latches is missing the securing loop.

This is an outstanding set, the first we have ever offered! Comes ready to become the centerpiece of your collection.