Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet Original Items

Item: ONJR24READ177

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Experimental AN/PRC-34 Radio Operator’s Helmet

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Item Description

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an extremely scarce experimental US AN/PRC 34 Helmet. These helmets were developed after the Korean war to replace handheld squad radios. The helmet features a small modulated transceiver, batter, earpiece, and antenna incorporated into the helmet liner. They had performance issues and were never adopted into military use, making these a scarce find. This example has a plug but is missing the microphone.

Just after the Korean war, it was the US Army's intention to find a replacement for the AN/PRC-6 hand held squad radio. The first unit tested was called the PRC-15. The PRC-15 resembled the WW2 BC-611. It did not meet required specifications and was dropped. Two further models were trialed. These were the PRC-30 and PRC-35. Both of which also did not meet required specifications. This was mainly because they still used tube technology and by the time the required performance was attained the units were too heavy. More successful was the transistorized AN/PRC-34. This incorporated a small modulated Transceiver (transmitter and receiver unit), a control box, battery, an ear piece and antenna into a helmet liner. The microphone also plugged into the helmet liner.

The AN/PRC-36 used the very same Transceiver and battery as the AN/PRC-34. They were removed from the helmet liner and placed in a belt worn box which had a control panel on top of it. The microphone plugged into the panel. Both units were VHF and had 12 channels. Performance issues were cited as the reason the system was adopted.

The helmet retains its liner suspension system and its original chinstrap, the buckle on which still functions well. The label on the interior reads

U.S. ARMY SIGNAL
ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
RADIO SET AN/PRC-34 (X1)
ORDER NO. 35-PH-53-93
R.C.A. CAMDEN, N.J.

This is an extremely scarce piece of military equipment that is ready for further research and display. It’s the first we have ever offered and we aren’t sure when we’ll find another. Don’t miss it!

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