HGU-16/P and -16A/P helmets, Flitesound
Message 2942, Jun 16, 2001
John, Thanks very much for sharing the most fascinating photographs of your FliteSound D-8
helmet. I will share some information I have on the liner materials that you need for the
FliteSound helmet, but will have to broach this subject tomorrow (since it is later and I
need to crash). Fortunately, the fabric covered sponge liner for the FliteSound is similar
if not absolutely identical to that used in the Navy SPH-2 helmet and others, since the
SPH-2 was really just a military adaptation of the basic Bill Jack Scientific Instruments
model D-8 design. They (the liners) can be found with a bit of searching about, although
they are not quite as commonly found today as they used to be. Again, thanks for this
interesting contribution and I'll get back to you tomorrow on this.
Cheers, DocBoink
Message 2902, Jun 13, 2001
John, The PJ helmet liner ought to work in your requirements - I did a similar number to
restore an HGU-9 (the SAC helmet with the bill - did I get that right?) and it seemed to
fit OK.
Maggot
Message 2901, Jun 13, 2001
Hi to group, Last week I added my 2 cents worth in a discussion about Toptex / Bill Jack /
Flite Sound Helmets, finally got around to digging a few out and snapping some Jpegs. The
first set of Jpegs is a Flight Sound helmet that I got from the original owner who flew in
the early 1960's. It originally had a nice paintjob with blue graphics that the owners son
1/2 removed in the late 1960's in an attempt to use it for motorcycling. I spent about 5
hrs with a razor blade trying to remove the rest of the paint to make it presentable and
save the decals. It's a model D8 size 10C (??) and was apparently fitted with a P-3 visor
assy. It has the early cast Sierra mask fittings and the H143/AIC phones are dated Mar 20
1961. Got a couple questions for the group, does anyone have a similar helmet with the
liner still intact ??? The liner in this one has completely disintegrated, the owner said
it was foam rubber with a blue cloth ( poss. silk) cover. I have one of those Cal Mil
Plastic PJ helmets that are showing up on Ebay with a similar liner, If it's the same,
I'll use that to fix this one up.( right now the earphones are just hanging by the wires)
I could also use a Jpeg of the proper chinstrap as it appears to snap on on both sides and
is long gone.
John
Bill Jack Model D8 "Flite-Sound" helmet with P-3 visor © John 'Jetstuff'
Spencer
Message 2498, May 24, 2001
Gato, Venz and Members, I believe the helmet, Model D-10, as pointed out as being listed
on ebay, is one of several versions offered under the name Flight Sound. I have seen these
set up for civilian use ( crop dusting and others ) as well in what seems to be military
configurations.
I'm not sure what the connections are, but you may have noticed this type of shell is
common to the SPH-1 , SPH-2, HGU-9 and HGU-16. They all share some version of soft foam
impact liner covered by cloth, although some utilize separate earcups of one sort or
another while others have speaker elements set into the foam itself.
The HGU-9 in my collection [see pictures on the HGU-9/P page in message 202] has
a clear tag with the following info :
Bill Jack Scientific Instrument Co.
Helmet Assy AFD10-10C
8475-856-6187
90853
AF36(600)-10382
U.S.
You will notice the D-10 in the designation
similar the Model D-10 being auctioned. Maybe some of the other more "traveled"
members of the forum would be willing to talk about any connections etc they are familiar
with concerning Flight Sound, Bill Jack, Protection inc. and even Flightsuits Ltd. ( the
last being still around obviously ) and how or who the eventually became. This, it seems
to me may have been touched on in the past, but a refresher never hurts !
I look forward to any additional info the members could provide.
Milehigh
Message 2492, May 24, 2001
Hi Venz, It looks like an HGU-16/P with that chin strap, but it must be meant for a
different type of all-face visor or integrated visor and mask with those
"Pull-the-Dot" posts around the face opening. Could it be one of the HGU-numbers
missing in the gaps between HGU-2, HGU-16, and HGU-22? Any ideas Figmo?
Cheers, Bluelight
Message 2491, Jul 21, 2001
Model D10 helmet (I'm not familiar with this model helmet)?!? $49.95 Looks like a Chuck
Yeager era helmet
(ebay auction 1148025927)
Cheers, Venz
Message 2007, Apr 28, 2001
Hi Venz, It looks like the modified HGU-16A/P that came out of Vandenberg AFB in some
numbers a while back. Try to take a look at DocBoink's message no. 1447 here on the
flightgear site.
Cheers, Bluelight
Message 2006, Apr 28, 2001
Hello,
Yesterday I received an e-mail from someone who wants to know what kind of helmet he have
in his collection. I was not able to identify, I hope someone can help me out with this.
All the best, Sven Scheffers
Message 1463:
FIGMO, Not sure offhand about the possible make on that particular
HGU-16 type helmet you reference (without seeing more and first-hand), but again this
basic Bill Jack/Cal-Mil helmet appears to have been used a number of ways. I think the SAC
HGU-9/P was also a variant, as well, at least using a similar interior cushioning system
as the Flite Sound and HGU-16/P helmets (distinct lineage associations, to my mind), and
the HGU-9/P also had the white Sierra Engineering type receivers fitted.
Message 1462:
Chris, I have what looks like an HGU-16/P only it has white oxygen mask retainers. It
isn't marked on the back as an HGU-16 or HGU-16A/P. Any ideas, SteveN AKA FIGMO
Message 1461:
EXCUSE ME! I stated "...I had heard that the HGU-2A/P helmet was occasionally
modified in this manner....etc." I MEANT to say: "...I had heard that the
HGU-16A/P helmet was occasionally modified in this manner...etc." Wow, gang. Brain
fade for sure, as the HGU-2A/P was never configured in such a manner..... Sorry. Cheers,
(addled) DocBoink
Message 1452:
Thanks Doc, they are being offered on eBay, at a rather high price. Seller says they came
from Vandenburg AFB DRMO. Gato
Message 1447:
Excuse my butting-in, but I believe this helmet is in fact the one described by Chris on
the eBay auction site (item# 1118037664); at least that was my immediate impression, given
the description Chris gave of the helmet(s). The only puzzler was that Chris' helmets
apparently had an oxy hose fitting in their rear section. I have heard that the HGU-2A/P
helmet was occasionally modified in this manner for special applications involving rocket
fuel hazards, fuel loading, etc., but I have no details on that. You will note that these
helmets came out of Vandenburg AFB DRMO resales. That would tend to support the
"special application" theory, I think, as regards possible use around
missile/rocket fuel loading, etc. If it weren't for those rear-attached 02 hoses, this
would otherwise appear to be an ordinary HGU-16A/P para-rescue helmet. This helmet was
used for a variety of strange applications and was basically similar to the SPH-1, etc.,
without the shield. I believe it was also used as a HALO helmet at one time, in another
special mod. Anyone one have any additional information on the "special
application" HGU-16A/P helmets (fitted with rear 02 entrainment or otherwise)? Bill
Jack Scientific (and follow-on Cal-Mil) used the shell in a number of different ways, over
the years (Flite-Sound, etc.) Cheers, DocBoink (over & out for the evening).
Message 1446:
Gato, Did you get the picture from Chris (eBay #1118037664) ? Bluelight 14
Message 1445:
Well, looks like a nice clean specimen of the USAF HGU-16A/P para-rescue type helmet. This
helmet is pictured on page 33 of Alan & Mike's JET AGE FLIGHT HELMETS.
Cheers, DocBoink
Message 1443:
Hi all,Take a look at this helmet and tell me what you think it is.Gato
