Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The US NAVY MK-II or Mark II full pressure flight suit was an improvement of the MK-I with improved mobility as well as more comfort than the previous naval high altitude gear. The relevant helmet offered improved visibility and new tiedown system to prevent the helmet from rising under pressure.

This is an extremely scarce transit case for the United States Navy high altitude helmet. This example is named via a tag attached to the handle reading ROBT L ABBOTT for Commander Robert L. Abbott.

The case has four latches which close to allow the case to be carried from the handle at the top. The latches show some surface oxidation The case has a U.S. Naval aviator wing decal on the side over U.S. NAVY. The case is roughly 12” tall and 13” in diameter. The shell of the case has some damage as shown, with a large crack to one side which has been repaired with thin metal wire. 

Inside the case is an original electrical wire set which would hook up to the helmet. The plug is marked U-93A/U and the other wire is marked at the end R.E. DARLING CO., INC. / REDAR 400-2-37. There is some corrosion as shown but nothing serious. The interior of the case itself does show very heavy wear and oxidation, but it could be cleaned with work.

Robert Lewis Abbott was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on 5 September 1916, son of Lewis F. and Maude E. (Daugherty) Abbott. He attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa. On 6 April 1940, he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve, and as Aviation Cadet had flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, where he was designated Naval Aviator and commissioned Ensign, USNR, on 15 March 1941. Through subsequent advancement and his transfer to the US Navy, he attained the rank of Commander, USN, to date from 1 July 1951.

Duty as Executive Officer of Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 119, operating from Sangley Point, Philippine Islands, from October 1950 until February 1952, was followed by service as Commanding Officer of that squadron. He returned to the United States in August 1953, and in September again was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics, this time as Head of the Cruise Control Branch, Power Plants Division. He remained there until October 1956, when he became Executive Officer of the Naval Air Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Commander Abbott retired from the US Navy in July 1968.

In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Commander Abbott had the American Defense Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Occupation Clasp; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

This is an outstanding case, the first we’ve offered on its own. Ready for display!