P-helmet headslings (strap suspension assemblies)
Latest update 29 December 2006
Message 1102:
Hello DocBoink and all, I have seen this sling assembly........ it was on a fairly unusual
helmet liner similar to a standard US GI steel pot liner exempt the sling assembly shown
was permanently attached and the shell was trimmed differently. I've seen three of these
and believed they where an attempt at a post WW-2 tank crash type helmet . The chin strap
( also shown in Doc's image ) is attached to the liner type shells garter studs ( normally
used for the helmet liner chin strap ) via a short leather tab arraignment. If memory
serves, this helmet / liner is shown in the book "Steel Pots " By Chris Armold.
The rolled heavy leather area near the yellow paint ( again in Doc's image ) is a padded
area for the brow. This sling assy. may well have been otherwise used though. Steve V.
Message 1097:
Hi Folks, Helmet quiz time again: has anyone ever seen a USAF P-3 helmet with a head
sling similar to the one in the attached images? This helmet belongs to a friend
who informs me that it came into his hands with this sling system installed in it;
appearances seemed to indicate that it was original equipment and not a modification or
substitution, although this isn't completely certain. The head sling and pad assembly is
certainly like nothing I have ever seed in any P-series helmet before. Anyone have any
answers? Cheers, DocBoink
Message 1039:
Hi Rich, This item reminds me of a somewhat similar helmet that I bought from Steve
Wilson, a few years ago. It was a P-1B that had been upgraded to P-4A specs, BUT...the
head sling had been removed, the lacing holes in the shell had been filled (and the shell
repainted), and inside pads installed in it were very much like those used in the APH-5.
In asking Steve about the history of the helmet, and in response to my statement that the
helmet did not provide adequate head protection when used in this manner (without either a
Styrofoam liner or a head sling), he told me it had been worn by a pilot who had remarked
that "...he wasn't as concerned about crash protection as with using it to keep his
earphones in place". The helmet is identified to a specific pilot ("Weber")
and over the years I have come to develop a special regard for this odd-ball P-helmet
conversion. The attached photograph shows the helmet I refer to (P-1B
"converted" to P-4A communications specs). The helmet you have directed our
attention to on eBay bears a certain resemblance to mine, at least with regard to its
having a strange and definitely 'out of TO specs' internal treatment. Cheers, DocBoink
Message 1038:
This item is a testament to the ingenuity of life support guys-- I wonder how they made
the liner "legal"-- were waivers ever issued? Could this be done under MAJCOM
authority? Or is it something even MORE imaginative? Rich Mays [Reference is made to
an eBay auction for a P-4B helmet with HGU-2 type fitting pads instead of the strap
suspension assembly]