Original Items: Only One Lot Available. This impressive collection is a must-have for enthusiasts of US Marine Corps fighter pilots! It originally belonged to US Marine Corps Pilot Captain William “Magnum” Lannert, who served in the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251). What sets this collection apart is Lannert's participation in the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, famously known as Top Gun. The collection comprises his personalized APH-5 Flying Helmet, which is featured in one of the accompanying photos, as well as his Top Gun school plaque, unit patch, insignia, and a selection of photographs. When exhibited together, these items form a truly remarkable and captivating showcase!

The Items In This Grouping:
- APH-5 Flight Helmet With MBU-5/P Oxygen Mask and Nylon Carry Bag: This is a nice example of a Vietnam War era APH-5 Flying Helmet, as used by all branches of service during the Vietnam War. This Helmet appears to have been very well used, evident from the “brittle” interior pads and detached ear pieces. Has a functional tinted visor as well as ear padding but no boom mic. The helmet’s exterior was heavily personalized having been painted black and covered with a glitter like coating, almost as if he was trying to simulate a “starry night” sky. The back of the helmet has an airbrushed image of a 15th Century Barbute Helmet over a set of crossed shields and crossed sword and lance. Beneath this is the name “Lannert”. This image is done extremely well and is one of the most attractive applied artwork we have encountered, especially on a flight helmet!

The MBU-5/P Oxygen Mask is in wonderful condition but is missing the electrical components and the “Hardshell Assembly” is unfortunately cracked on the nose bridge area. It is dated 1962 and was produced by the Sierra Engineering Company. The nylon bag is in fantastic condition with no signs of any extensive use or damage.

- 14 ½” x 12 ½” Photo: This is an incredible photo, not just because of the size and clarity of it, but the fact that Lannert can be seen holding the very same helmet that is included in this grouping! The picture is in great condition and is “framed” but without a glass pane.

- (3) Photos and Filled Photo Album: This is a fantastic assortment of photos, all taken during Lannert’s time in the service. After studying the photo album and the aircraft contained inside, we were able to “piece together” Lannert’s aircraft from his squadron position number on the nose, as visible in the above mentioned photograph. All images are in wonderful condition with all details present and no extensive damage. The only “real” issue is that the actual photo album came detached from the hardcover, but fortunately there is interior binding on the album that kept it all together. This could easily be remedied with a few dots of glue if you wish to do so.

- (6) USMC Officer EGA/Pilot Insignia: The insignia consists of (2) Officer EGA collar devices, (1) Officer Cap Device, (2) Set of Captain’s “Bars” and lastly a lovely USN/USMC set of pilot wings. All 6 items are undamaged and in fantastic condition.

- 8” x 10” TOPGUN School Plaque: The plaque is for graduating class of July-August 1980. Unfortunately the ceramic disc that has the School insignia present on it broke sometime many years ago and was pieced back together and appears to have been glued back in place. While the cracks are noticeable, this is a rather difficult piece to come by, especially a named example.

The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), more popularly known as Top Gun (stylized as TOPGUN), is a United States Navy training program that teaches air combat maneuvering tactics and techniques to selected naval aviators and naval flight officers, who return to their operating units as surrogate instructors.

The program began as the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, established on 3 March 1969, at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. In 1996, the school was merged into the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.

- VMFA-251 “Thunderbolts” Squadron Velcro Patch: The patch is in fantastic, service worn condition with all colors and details still present. The patch features a diamond shield with a maltese cross and thunderbolt going through the center dianally. The motto is present at the bottom with the squadron number, reading as: CUSTOS VMFA-251 CAELORUM. This loosely translates to “Guardians of the Sky”, very fitting for a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron!

Overall this is a fantastic grouping, one deserving to be proudly displayed. Comes more than ready for further research and display!

While we were unable to source information on Captain Lannert’s service, we were able to gain an insight into his career from the history of the Unit itself.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Known as the "Thunderbolts".

VMFA-251 During The Cold War
In 1961, VMF-251 was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. In August and September 1961 the squadron was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and to Jamaica during the time between the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. From February through August 1962, VMF-251 was the first Marine F-8 squadron to deploy on board an aircraft carrier as part of Carrier Air Group Ten on the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). During the cruise, VMF-251 set the record for the most flight time in one month for a Sixth Fleet based F-8 squadron by flying over 500 hours. In July 1963 the Thunderbolts were the recipients of the 2nd MAW Commanding General's award for achievement in competitive exercises which took place while the squadron was deployed to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

On 31 October 1964, the Thunderbolts became the first Marine squadron in 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to transition to the F-4 Phantom II and receive its current designation as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251). The Thunderbolts received the CNO's flight safety award in 1967 and again in 1969 as well as the Fleet Marine Force Atlantic safety award for the years 1967, 1968 and 1970. In 1969 they also received the Robert M. Hanson award, presented annually to the "most outstanding Marine fighter squadron of the year." Training exercises were conducted in Puerto Rico in 1964-1965, 1971, and 1973. In April 1971 the squadron stood "hot pad" duty at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida and provided additional support for the North American Air Defense Command. Further deployments in support of NATO were made to Cigili Air Base, Turkey in 1973 and to Rota, Spain in 1975 and the Thunderbolts participated in a Western Pacific deployment to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines during 1977-1978.

In September 1980 the Thunderbolts deployed to Trondheim in the Kingdom of Norway in support of NATO Exercises. In April 1982, the Thunderbolts again deployed to Keflavik in Iceland where the squadron intercepted six Soviet Bear Bombers while on "hot pad" alert. The squadron deployed to the Kingdom of Denmark in September 1982 for NATO Exercise "Northern Wedding 82" during which 102 Soviet aircraft flew sorties against NATO naval forces. The squadron was placed on alert for possible redeployment to Lebanon before returning to the United States.

After twenty-one years and 85,000 flight hours, VMFA-251 flew its last F-4S Phantom in November 1985. In January of the following year, the Thunderbolts transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. The squadron stood up as the sixth Marine F/A-18A squadron the following August and reported full combat ready in March 1987.