Original U.S. 1950s USAF K-1 High Altitude Partial Pressure Flight Helmet - As Found Condition for Parts or Restoration - Lockheed U-2 Spy Plane

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a heavily worn and torn example of an exceptionally rare K-1 High Altitude Partial Pressure Helmet. The USAF 1950's era "Test Pilot" K-1 partial pressure helmet was used in such aircraft as the B-47, B-36, F-80, F-100, U-2 and various X-planes. This example is missing the faceplate, and the hood is heavily torn and ripped into. This would be a great representation piece, or a restoration project!

The K-1 high altitude partial pressure helmet was composed of an inner hood/neck skirt with rigid metal frame and a one piece green fiberglass outer shell connected to the rigid metal frame of the hood. The removable face plate was made of molded plexiglas for light weight, improved visibility and cost reduction. To reduce fogging the face shield was electrically heated by way of tiny wires moulded inside it and used a low pressure oxygen system.

Original face plates for these helmets are seldom seen, as most were destroyed by the government due to safety concerns. This example retains the frame for the faceplate, but the plate is now gone. It has the correct green fiberglass shell, but does not have the USAF decal. The USAF K-1 high altitude partial pressure helmet hood/neck inner skirt with rigid metal frame is intact but has very heavy tearing, wear, material loss, and does not retain a data tag. The zipper on one side is entirely torn away and the material it was attached to is gone. The rubber hood appears to be gone. The shell is missing one of the mounts for the headphones, but the helmet hood/neck inner skirt does retain an electrical plug marked U-75/U.

This example is very rough overall, but the metal frame and hood still attach to the shell via the three turning latch points.

A very rare excellent High Altitude "spy plane" helmet from the early days of the United States Air Force. Ready to restore or display as is.