HGU-64/P helmet

Message 872:
Anyone who can shed some light on the designation HGU-64? Recently there was an auction on eBay (item no. 541848070) for an HGU-64, but to my uninitiated eyes it looked like an SPH-3C with custom fit liner. The seller was an airborne photographer in the Navy and he signed for the helmet as an HGU-64. There were no labels on the helmet, though. The auction ended on January 20th, so you can still see it under completed auctions. Cheers, Steen

Message 1312:
Hi everyone, This helmet was advertised some time back on eBay as an HGU-64 helmet. The seller used to be an airborne photographer in the US Navy, and he signed for the helmet as an HGU-64. To me it looks like an SPH-3B or -3C. Can anyone confirm the existence of the HGU-64 designation and what is the difference between the SPH-3 series helmets and the HGU-64? Cheers, Bluelight 14

Message 1317:
Greetings Bluelight14   I can confirm the existence of the HGU-64P it is the US Navy designation for the helmet that followed on to the SPH-3C for that branch of the US Armed Forces. As far as I know there is no visual difference between them. However I seem to recall that the shell was kevlar based and this makes it quite different than the SPH-3 series and much lighter also... It went by the wayside of being aviator issue as the US Navy/USMC adopted the HGU-84P as their standard rotary winged helmet. I have little doubt that many a HGU-64 has been labeled as SPH-3 and has been sold or traded under that belief!   Hope this helps you out...     Best Regards, Kirk Sunley