Original U.S. Post-WWII Era Type H-71 A-13 Leather Flying Helmet with Broken MBU-4/P Oxygen Mask
In stock
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Original Item. Only One Available. Appearing after WWII in the mid/late 1950's the H-71 / A-13 was reportedly intended for use in piston and jet propelled transports, tankers, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. With the arrival of jet fighters and fighter bombers with ejection seats focus was initially and logically switched towards hard shell helmets (or „bone domes“).
But it soon appeared after Korea, and with the beginning of the „Cold War“, that soft helmets proved more practical and comfortable in large aircraft, with pressurized cockpits and crew areas, while flying long and tiresome missions for hours on end. The nomenclature seems to have been inverted at some stage, the designation A-13 for the helmet and H-71 for the earphones rather being more logic. But the label tells us something different, the exact reasons remaining unknown.
This is a good example of the H-71 which is service worn, with some popped stitching and heavy wear. The headphones and electrical cord are retained, and the original maker’s label reads:
HELMET, FLYING H-71/A-13
HEADSET TYPE A-13
S/N 8415-222-7750
LITE MFG. CO. INC.
AF 33(602)-6468
U.S.
SIZE EX. LARGE
The Air Force logo is present but faint. The leather tabs on the back to hold flight goggles have broken.
The original MBU-4/P Oxygen Mask is in very rough condition and one of the attachment pieces to connect it to the helmet is now broken. There is also breakage in the tube and stiffness in the rubber overall. As such, it will not attach to the helmet on both sides but should look fine for display.
A good helmet and mask set, ready for display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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