Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:55 pm
Tim
As bad as it sounds now days the helmet is more or less a suspension assembly for the mask, communications and NVG's, this is right from the Technical Order. The helmets of old the ballastic style afforded more protection. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to crack a HGU-55/P helmet. The new style helmets are cut back further than the old ones to provide better peripheral vision. As for frontal impact, from what I've been told they really don't , but I really don't know, I'd have to talk to one of my crewdogs, or maybe Randy Haskin might have a better answer. The old HGU-39/P/SPH-4 Helicopter helmets are a bear to break, along with the HGU-26/P. The Special Tactics guys jump with a Kevlar version of the -55/P and it is a great helmet. I can tear one apart and rebuild it, I can inspect and maintain it, but hell if I can tell you the true capabilities of it.
Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
As bad as it sounds now days the helmet is more or less a suspension assembly for the mask, communications and NVG's, this is right from the Technical Order. The helmets of old the ballastic style afforded more protection. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to crack a HGU-55/P helmet. The new style helmets are cut back further than the old ones to provide better peripheral vision. As for frontal impact, from what I've been told they really don't , but I really don't know, I'd have to talk to one of my crewdogs, or maybe Randy Haskin might have a better answer. The old HGU-39/P/SPH-4 Helicopter helmets are a bear to break, along with the HGU-26/P. The Special Tactics guys jump with a Kevlar version of the -55/P and it is a great helmet. I can tear one apart and rebuild it, I can inspect and maintain it, but hell if I can tell you the true capabilities of it.
Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:44 pm
The current '55 that fighter guys are issued is the Kevlar version.
Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:00 pm
Hey Greenwood, you forgot the rimshot!
Thx,
VL
PS: Speaking about Great Pumkin, did you notice the color tones on Randy's pix inset?..............I digress.......!!
PPS: Tim-good question about impact protection. I always thought the aircombat guys had a wider cutout for peripheral at the expense of front impact.
Thx,
VL
PS: Speaking about Great Pumkin, did you notice the color tones on Randy's pix inset?..............I digress.......!!
PPS: Tim-good question about impact protection. I always thought the aircombat guys had a wider cutout for peripheral at the expense of front impact.
Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:00 pm
Hey Greenwood, you forgot the rimshot!
Thx,
VL
PS: Speaking about Great Pumkin, did you notice the color tones on Randy's pix inset?..............I digress.......!!
PPS: Tim-good question about impact protection. I always thought the aircombat guys had a wider cutout for peripheral at the expense of front impact.
Thx,
VL
PS: Speaking about Great Pumkin, did you notice the color tones on Randy's pix inset?..............I digress.......!!
PPS: Tim-good question about impact protection. I always thought the aircombat guys had a wider cutout for peripheral at the expense of front impact.
Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:35 pm
I've been out of the Fighter Community for 12 years now,in fact when I left we were in the process of bringing the Combat-Edge system on-line in the F-15's at Tyndall. When it comes to helmets the Special Operations Community still uses the older style 55/P, and I tell you they can tear a helmet up quick.
Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:43 pm
vlado wrote:PS: Speaking about Great Pumkin, did you notice the color tones on Randy's pix inset?..............I digress.......!!
The self-portrait photo was taken at sunset, hence the orange hue. It looks much less bizarre in the full-size version.
Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:17 pm
Notice, that steely eyed fighter pilot look. Do they teach that in fighter pilot school, Randy ? 
Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:54 pm
RickH wrote:Notice, that steely eyed fighter pilot look. Do they teach that in fighter pilot school, Randy ?
It's a natural reaction to staring directly into the bright yellow orb hanging low in the western sky for dramatic effect!
Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:47 pm
Tim, I don't know about the impact protection, but I can tell you two things. One, the vendor includes numerous disclaimers regarding limited impact protection, including the invoice and a sticker on the helmet. Two, the only reason I bought a helmet was for impact protection (duh!). I never had a problem with my old DC's. Just kept envisioning what my nose would look like if it ever hit the panel.
Regarding the original question, thanks to all who responded. Sounds like Oregon Aero is the ticket.
Regarding the original question, thanks to all who responded. Sounds like Oregon Aero is the ticket.
Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:17 am
I think Bill Greenwood flies his Spitfire with an old football helmet complete with face mask. I think it's the same one Jack Nicholson wore in "Easy Rider". Great crash worthiness, poor communications capabilites. 
Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:24 pm
Bill?