{"product_id":"original-u-s-navy-early-cold-war-h-4-pilot-helmet-nylon-flight-suit-and-mae-west-flotation-vest-grouping-circa-mid-1950s","title":"Original U.S. Navy Early Cold War H-4 Pilot Helmet, Nylon Flight Suit and “Mae West” Flotation Vest Grouping - Circa Mid-1950s","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Group Available. This is an impressive early Cold War U.S. Navy pilot equipment grouping consisting of an original Type H-4 protective flight helmet with its soft inner helmet, microphone, headphones and Rochester Optical B-8 goggles, a lightweight Navy nylon flight suit, and a “Mae West”-style flotation vest with a 1956-dated internal bladder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, the components create an outstanding representative mannequin display depicting a U.S. Navy aviator during the transitional early jet age of the mid-1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe equipment was assembled as a display grouping and is not presented as a named set that remained together from military service. The individual components nevertheless complement one another extremely well and convey the distinctive appearance of a naval aviator operating during the period immediately following the Korean War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType H-4 Protective Flight Helmet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe centerpiece of the grouping is an original U.S. Navy Type H-4 protective flying helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe H-4 was issued to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators during the mid-1950s. It represented a refinement of the earlier hard-shell protective helmets developed as increasingly fast jet aircraft created a need for improved head protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet features a rigid fiberglass shell with molded reinforcing ridges. The National Air and Space Museum describes H-4 helmets as having fiberglass shells, separate soft inner helmets, receiver headphones, boom microphones and front Naval Aviator wing insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe soft inner flying helmet incorporates the headphones and attaches to the rigid outer shell through snap-fastened straps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example retains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRigid H-4 fiberglass outer shell\u003cbr\u003eSoft inner helmet\u003cbr\u003eBoom microphone\u003cbr\u003eInternal headphones\u003cbr\u003eChinstrap\u003cbr\u003eRochester Optical U.S. Navy B-8 goggles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet is named: \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLEX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis name appears in several locations. No complete identity or service history has been established for the aviator represented by the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior paint shows extensive service wear, with scratches, scuffs, finish loss and discoloration throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Naval Aviator wings formerly displayed across the front are now almost entirely worn away, although traces remain visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis heavy wear gives the helmet an authentic, well-used appearance and suggests repeated handling and use rather than long-term storage in untouched condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe soft inner helmet also shows substantial wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the snap-fastened attachment straps has broken away. The detached strap is presently snapped into position and hangs from the helmet but no longer functions as originally intended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe microphone, headphones and chinstrap remain present, giving the helmet an unusually complete display appearance despite its condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRochester Optical U.S. Navy B-8 Goggles\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet is accompanied by a set of Rochester Optical U.S. Navy B-8 flying goggles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eB-8 goggles were used with protective flying helmets during the transitional period when hard-shell helmets were becoming standard equipment for high-speed aircraft crews. The Smithsonian documents B-8 goggles being worn with experimental protective helmets used by early American jet pilots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe goggles remain in very good overall condition and display extremely well with the H-4 helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir survival adds considerably to the visual completeness of the grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLightweight U.S. Navy Nylon Flight Suit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping includes an original lightweight nylon U.S. Navy flight suit in size 38 Medium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior label reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSUIT, FLYING, NYLON, LT. WT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBU. AERO - U.S. NAVY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONTRACT NO. NOA(S)3927\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE DRYBAK CORPORATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSIZE 38M\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bureau of Aeronautics label confirms that the suit was produced for U.S. Navy aviation use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flight suit remains in good overall condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main zipper functions properly, and the snaps remain intact and usable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is scattered fraying and general wear to the nylon material, consistent with age and service use. These areas should be reviewed carefully in the accompanying photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe suit presents very well when displayed beneath the helmet and flotation vest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Mae West” Flotation Vest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso included is an original-style naval aviation flotation vest commonly referred to by servicemen as a “Mae West.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vest retains its internal rubber flotation components. One of the internal bladders is dated: \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1956\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis date places the vest firmly within the early Cold War period and makes it contemporary with the mid-1950s H-4 helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo exterior manufacturer’s label or other identifying markings were located.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vest remains in good overall display condition, with the expected wear, aging and deterioration to the fabric and internal rubber components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rubber bladders have not been inflated or pressure tested and must not be considered functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Complete Grouping Includes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eU.S. Navy Type H-4 fiberglass protective flight helmet\u003cbr\u003eSoft inner helmet with headphones\u003cbr\u003eBoom microphone\u003cbr\u003eChinstrap\u003cbr\u003eRochester Optical U.S. Navy B-8 goggles\u003cbr\u003eDrybak lightweight nylon Navy flight suit, Size 38 Medium\u003cbr\u003e“Mae West”-style flotation vest\u003cbr\u003eInternal flotation bladder dated 1956\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Development of the U.S. Navy Protective Flight Helmet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rapid introduction of jet aircraft after WWII transformed naval aviation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigher speeds, stronger turbulence, tighter cockpits and the possibility of ejection made traditional soft flight helmets increasingly inadequate. The Navy began issuing hard protective helmets that combined impact-resistant shells with communications equipment and oxygen-mask compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe H-1 was the first hard helmet issued as standard equipment to U.S. Navy jet pilots. Later H-2, H-3 and H-4 designs progressively improved the shell, communications equipment, comfort and attachment systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe H-4 retained a separate soft inner helmet attached to a reinforced fiberglass outer shell. Its combination of a hard protective shell, integrated radio equipment and prominent Naval Aviator wings created one of the most recognizable American flight-helmet profiles of the mid-1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the era when U.S. Navy aviation was moving rapidly from propeller-driven aircraft to high-performance carrier-based jets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping captures that transitional appearance exceptionally well. The worn H-4 helmet, B-8 goggles, lightweight nylon flight suit and flotation vest combine into a convincing representation of a mid-1950s naval aviator prepared for flight operations over water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition and Display Notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe H-4 helmet shows heavy wear, including extensive paint loss, an almost entirely worn-away wing insignia, interior wear and one broken inner-helmet attachment strap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flight suit remains in good condition but has scattered fraying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flotation vest is unmarked externally, while one internal rubber bladder is dated 1956.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet is named LEX, but the individual has not been identified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe components were assembled as a representative display grouping and are not documented as having belonged to one aviator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping is sold strictly as a historical collectible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet, communications equipment, goggles, flight suit and flotation vest should not be used for aviation, emergency protection, flotation or any other operational purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the wear and assembled nature of the set, complete early jet-age naval aviation displays are extremely difficult to create. Helmets are often found without their inner caps, microphones or goggles, while matching flight clothing and flotation equipment are usually separated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe survival of all these visually complementary components makes this an especially appealing opportunity for a collector seeking an immediate, full-size U.S. Navy aviation display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dramatic early Cold War naval aviator grouping that captures the appearance of the U.S. Navy’s transition into the jet age and would form an exceptional centerpiece on a flight-gear mannequin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003eService: United States Navy\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Early Cold War, Circa Mid-1950s\u003cbr\u003eHelmet Model: Type H-4 Protective Flying Helmet\u003cbr\u003eHelmet Construction: Fiberglass Outer Shell with Separate Soft Inner Helmet\u003cbr\u003eHelmet Name: LEX\u003cbr\u003eHelmet Equipment: Headphones, Boom Microphone and Chinstrap\u003cbr\u003eGoggles: Rochester Optical U.S. Navy Type B-8\u003cbr\u003eFlight Suit Type: Lightweight Nylon Flying Suit\u003cbr\u003eFlight Suit Manufacturer: The Drybak Corporation\u003cbr\u003eFlight Suit Contract: NOA(S)3927\u003cbr\u003eFlight Suit Size: 38 Medium\u003cbr\u003eFlotation Vest: “Mae West”-Style Aviation Flotation Vest\u003cbr\u003eInternal Bladder Date: 1956\u003cbr\u003eCondition Notes: Heavy Helmet Finish Wear, Nearly Lost Wing Insignia, Broken Inner-Helmet Snap Strap, Flight Suit Fraying and Aged Flotation Components\u003cbr\u003eUse: Historical Display Only\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44640679231557,"sku":"ONJR26JARA024","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JARA024.jpg?v=1771009584","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-navy-early-cold-war-h-4-pilot-helmet-nylon-flight-suit-and-mae-west-flotation-vest-grouping-circa-mid-1950s","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}