Original U.S. Modern F-16 Fighting Falcon Pilot Helmet HGU-55/P with Oxygen Mask

Original Items: Only One Available. Good condition genuine late 1990s era U.S. Aviator HGU-55/P flying helmet in size large that comes with detached earphones, oxygen mask, and tinted bungee visor. This is a good example offered in a used and very worn condition, with the earphones detached from where they originally were, but they should sit fit when on a display head.

The interior shell is missing its tag, or we just aren’t able to get to it, but the interior cover retains its tag denoting manufacture by GENTEX with re-inspection up to 1997.

The original visor is in good shape still strapped in. The oxygen mask is in similar condition and one has a sticker reading 28APR 98 & F06. The back of the helmet has a tag reading LITAVNIKS F06. The mask and helmet tag F06 likely refers to the gear locker assigned to an individual pilot, and Litavniks may refer to Experimental Test Pilot Andy Litavniks of the Canadian Air Force, a good research project!

Ready for research & to be displayed!

During the 80s modifications continued to be made as advances in aircrew protective helmet technology led to new products, incorporating both new materials and improved fabrication techniques. These modifications included communication upgrades, visor and external shell design, more comfortable internal liner and updated oxygen breathing mask systems. Advanced research on new Tactical life support systems led to a new generation of helmets for use in high performance aircraft and for Nuclear Biological Chemical protection. During the early 90s the USAF standard flight helmet HGU-55/P was modified to incorporate the COMBAT EDGE system designed to improve high performance fighter pilot tolerance to high G maneuvers.

The HGU-48/P made by Gentex was in the early version based on a modified HGU-22/P shell (PRK-37/P was used in the later version). The shell was trimmed by a life support technician at Nellis Air Force Base to appease pilots complaining about the poor visibility and weight of the HGU-26/P. internal custom fit liner was normally used and dark gray leather sections were glued to the outside of the shell to provide a resting surface for the visor in the stowed position and prevent scarring of the helmet surface when raising or lowering visor. Snap-on visor assembly attached to the outside shell by snap fasteners on each side was utilized. Cast retainers were used to secure the MBU-5/P or MBU-12/P oxygen masks.