Original U.S. Vietnam War US Navy Pilot Dual Visor APH-6C Flight Helmet by Sierra Engineering Co. with Oxygen Mask - Dated 1971

 Original Item: Only One Available. At the end of the 50's the APH series helmets introduced a new generation of flight helmets characterized by the external visor covered with a protective shield. Improvement of the communication system, internal liner and oxygen mask retainers was also made and in some versions the dual dark and transparent visors system was installed. These types of helmets were the US Navy and USMC standard jet aircraft headgears during the 60's and throughout the 70's. In this period the first development of a flight helmet incorporating the Visual Target Acquisition System (VTAS I) was also made. Furthermore during the late 60's, flight tests were performed to verify the suitability of a full face "Clam Shell'' helmet designed to eliminate the oxygen mask and to give better protection during ejection.

This example is a late version of the APH-6 series, the APH-6C. Its shell is constructed of a polyester impregnated fiberglass cloth laminate and the visor shield/locking mechanism was the same as the APH-5’s later version as well as the internal liners and earphone fixation system. The APH-6 shell introduced the new and unique "Butterfly" retention and release assembly used to secure the oxygen mask. The back of the helmet has a tag reading:

HELMET SHELL ASSY, PILOT’S
PROTECTIVE, TYPE APH-6C
MIL-H-22995A (AS) SIZE MEDIUM
CONTR. NO. DSA-100-71-C-0134
SIERRA ENG. CO. PN 570-1101

This dates the helmet to 1971. The shell is in good condition with much of the original white paint. The shield cover and visors work fine. The helmet is in fair shape overall, but the styrofoam padding inside shows heavy wear, and the leather pad inside has fallen off. The helmet retains its microphone and cording. There is no tag on the interior.

The included oxygen mask is marked:

MASK, OXYGEN, PRESSURE BREATHING
MS 22001-5 MEDIUM
SIERRA ENG. CO.
PN 520-302

A fantastic Vietnam War flight helmet ready for further research and display.