Item:
ONJR24ASJ010

Original U.S. Vietnam War US Navy Pilot Dual Visor APH-6CMSI Flight Helmet by Sierra Engineering Co. with Original Early “Bowling Ball” Bag

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. At the end of the 50's the APH series helmets introduced a new generation of flight helmets characterized by the external visor covered with a protective shield. Improvement of the communication system, internal liner and oxygen mask retainers was also made and in some versions the dual dark and transparent visors system was installed. These types of helmets were the US Navy and USMC standard jet aircraft headgears during the 60's and throughout the 70's. In this period the first development of a flight helmet incorporating the Visual Target Acquisition System (VTAS I) was also made. Furthermore during the late 60's, flight tests were performed to verify the suitability of a full face "Clam Shell'' helmet designed to eliminate the oxygen mask and to give better protection during ejection.

This example is a late version of the APH-6 series, the APH-6CMSI. Its shell is constructed of a polyester impregnated fiberglass cloth laminate and the visor shield/locking mechanism was the same as the APH-5’s later version as well as the internal liners and earphone fixation system. The APH-6 shell introduced the new and unique "Butterfly" retention and release assembly used to secure the oxygen mask. The back of the helmet has a tag reading:

APH-6CMSI HELMET, MEDIUM SIZE

The shell is in good condition with much of the original paint. The shield cover features a beautiful set of Navy pilot wings with the word NAVY just below it. The helmet is in fair shape overall with the padding still intact. There is a data tag inside reading:

DUAL VISOR KIT, APH-6A
SIZE MEDIUM
SIERRA ENG. CO.
92114 PN 570-464
FSN 6RD 8475-792-5706-LXIX
CONTR. NO. DSA 100-69-C-0245

This dates the helmet to 1969. The included bowling ball style bag is in good shape with its straps retained, and the zipper functions well. There is a tag inside reading:

CASE, CARRYING, FOR FLYING
HELMET AND OXYGEN MASK
SPECIFICATION MIL-C-19666A (WEP)
CONTRACT NO. DSA-100-2904
STOCK NO. 8415-753-2901

A fantastic Vietnam War flight helmet ready for further research and display.

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