{"product_id":"original-u-s-cold-war-named-usaf-helmet-flying-type-p-4b-with-oxygen-mask-and-bag-dated-1959-maj-l-v-roberts","title":"Original U.S. Cold War Named USAF Helmet Flying Type P-4B with Oxygen Mask and Bag - Dated 1959 - Maj. L.V. Roberts","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition complete 1959-dated U.S. Air Force size large Type P-4B flying helmet that comes totally complete with internal cloth liner, ear phones, type MBU-3P high altitude oxygen mask, tinted visor, and carrying bag. The helmet is named to \u003cstrong\u003eMajor L.V. Roberts, USAF.\u003c\/strong\u003e The helmet features original white paint and a U.S. Air Force enamel badge. All parts are in excellent condition. This is an incredibly rare complete set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell is dated \u003cstrong\u003eAPR 2 1959\u003c\/strong\u003e. The liner tag reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSLING ASSY FOR HELMET\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFLYING, TYPE P-4B\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSIZE LARGE DWG 47D3185-1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eORDER NO. AF-36(600) 5417\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONSOLIDATED CONTROLS CORP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe oxygen mask is dated 1960. The original carrying bag retains the data tag. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1959, a final TO P-helmet specification was issued that consisted principally of a change in the headset communications cord assembly. The P-4B helmet specification did away with the helmet communications 'pigtail' cord and substituted a new helmet cord assembly designated the CX-4708\/AIC. This allowed the entire earphone and mask microphone communications system to be integrated into the aircraft radio and intercom systems via the oxygen mask communications cord  connecting the new H-149\/AIC system headset. The active earphone receivers were updated to H79\/AIC specs and the previously used, spring-loaded earphone cushion assemblies were done away with. Instead, in what would appear a 'retrograde progressive' move, the earphone cushions were again secured to the rigid helmet shell at upper and lower sections with small diameter nylon lacing in a manner not unlike the attachment system used in the P-1A\/P-1B helmet. Foam pads were again used to adjust the cushions to the pilot's ears. This system would also be used in the following, new generation helmet (the HGU-2\/P), before a return to a slightly different type of spring loaded earcup would return in the even later HGU-2A\/P helmet. [The reason given for replacement of the heli-coiled 'tophat' spring-loaded earphone system in the P-4A was that some pilots had apparently sustained severe injury in crash situations involving a crushing lateral impact on the helmet; in certain instances, it was found that the metallic spring units and their screw retainers could actually be driven into the cranium, resulting in non-survivable head injuries to the temporal skull.]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile older P-4A helmets were updated in the field to the new P-4B specs, newly manufactured stock featured all of these refinements directly from the factory run. The external rigid visor was unchanged from the new center-latching system used on the P-4A. Newly manufactured P-4B helmets had no rubber plug-filled circular orifice at the rear of the shell (where a former com cord pigtail exited); older P-4A helmets that had been updated by squadron personal equipment\/life support techs to P-4B specs featured a solid black rubber plug in this area. As before, the JJ-055 mic connector jack (outlet on pilot’s left) was used in the helmet earphone loom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe early H-149\/AIC headset, originally used with the late model P-helmets (B) and with the first of the HGU-2\/P helmets that replaced the P-series, was used with the new CX-4707\/AIC series oxygen mask hose routed, fabric-woven communications cords (these last specification cords are still in use today in slightly updated configurations). [It is not altogether uncommon to find that a P-4A specification helmet was occasionally ‘created’ simply by cutting and removing the ‘pigtail’ communications cord, a modification which resulted in the functional equivalent of the new P-4B wiring loom!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43760131768389,"sku":"ONSV25SSLF115","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25SSLF115__01_fc9a6a24-1bfe-4416-8b48-83bad1203bca.jpg?v=1759784850","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-cold-war-named-usaf-helmet-flying-type-p-4b-with-oxygen-mask-and-bag-dated-1959-maj-l-v-roberts","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}