WWII US NAVY Headsets

[t28pilot]

Im sure there are numerous WIX'ers out there that will know this so I thought I'd ask for your help.
What was worn by US NAVY pilots flying trainers and fighters from early WWII until they started wearing a helmet in 19??. BOTH in the South Pacific AND in the States while training(I would guess it would be the same type).
Heres what I'm interested in knowing...
leather or cloth helmet?
Type or Model# for official US NAVY ?
Time frame(for above type or model)?
Color (brown or tan or ?),
Goggles?
and if so what type or model?(again, US NAVY style)
Color?
Lens type(flat or curved etc.)
So Im sure someone sells great authentic replicas, Who?

And last lets have pics to back it up.(this is where Jack Cook comes in)

Remember, US NAVY ONLY, nothing else will do at this time.

Lay it on me guys...
Thanks
Chuck Wahl
and YES, the SNJ-5C is about to fly!
Ok, here's a few teasers...

[mike furline]

There are numerous types to pick from.

Most typical goggles/easy to find would be the AN 6530. A complete box will usually come with clear, amber & green lenses.

Late war Summer cloth helmet AN6542
Late war Winter leather helmet AN6540
Mid war cloth M450

The list goes on and on and on.

This book explains most of it. I'm sure you can find a copy used/cheap.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse ... %2DProdger

Regards,
Mike

Last edited by mike furline on Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Matt Gunsch]

Chuck,
Just a suggestion, please put a spreader bar between the mains until you get the wings on, just a little extra safety.

[Jack Cook]

These guys like the canvas stuff!

2Lt Gene Dillow VMF-221

Capt "Butcher Bob" Hanson VMF-215

2Lt Ed Olander VMF-214

1Lt Alvin Jensen VMF-214 Swashbucklers

[t28pilot]

hey does anyone have an original MaeWest?

[Jack Cook]

Original Helmet, Flight Suit and Mae West of Ed Schiess a 3kill FG pilot of VBF-83 on the Essex.

[tom d. friedman]

the 6530 goggles if original & in decent condition cost roughly 300 bucks. i remember when they went for peanuts!!!

[Taigh Ramey]

AN6530 goggles:

http://desc.shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=an6530&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=an6530&_osacat=0&_rdc=1

More goggles:

http://www.bellsaviation.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BA&Category_Code=GOG

If you need different colored lenses for the AN6530's let me know I have a bunch of them.

Reproduction M450 helmet:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAVAL-AVIATORS-CARRIER-PILOT-M-450-FLYING-HELMET_W0QQitemZ200363786775QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4722QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26ps%3D5

Some original helmets including an M450:

[url]http://www.bellsaviation.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?
Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BA&Category_Code=CFH[/url]

Helmets parts ear and chin cups:

http://www.garciaaviation.com/cgi-local/storepro5/agora.cgi?cart_id=3241597.57613*yT8WT7&product=Flight_Helmets_&_Accessories

Grey Mae West although I would prefer a yellow one while bobbing around in the ocean:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-WWII-U-S-Navy-Pilot-or-Crew-Life-Preserver-Vest_W0QQitemZ130319799178QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e57aa538a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A2124%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Not sure why the last three links don't work

Last edited by Taigh Ramey on Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Holedigger]

Late war variety, pick behind the mannequin has older style goggles.

[Taigh Ramey]

What is the specific time period that you are restoring to?

Bernie Poppert's Father trained in an SNJ-5C on March 15th 1950 on the USS Cabot CVL-28. Here is a photo of him at that time wearing what looks like typical late WWII gear. ANH-15 helmet, M-1944 goggles, Looks like a WWII AN6519 Mae West but it is hard to tell.

[t28pilot]

Hey Taigh,
Bernie called me yesterday. He said his dad trained in -4C's. Either way still a cool deal.
Restoration time frame is late 1940's to early 1950's and several PEN OH stints. No specific date like Date of manufacture since TailHook wasnt on it when it left Dallas. Thanks for the info and pic. That puts the helmet and goggle numbers it in the time frame I'm looking for.
Im sure you have seen a few pics today at the "secret site", if you know what I mean.
Will talk soon.
Chuck

[Jerry O'Neill]

Chuck;
Don't forget that the headset in these helmets should be a TH-37 set, not the AN that the Air Corps used. They are a stiff thick wire that has a large, two snap, quick release fitting close to the helmet. They make reproductions, but if you don't have that set-up for the electronics, it won't look WWII Navy.

Also, as you can see by Jack's photos, there are several different types of ear cups that held the TH-37 electronics. Tan chamois covering red rubber, red rubber cups with out the chamois, soft brown leather cups with snaps and tan leather cups with snaps. late war the had the large black rubber donuts that were integral to the helmet.

If you would like an original set of TH-37 receivers, without the wire unfortunately, I'll give you set.
SNJ looks great!
Maybe I can hand you the receivers personally at the Sacramento show this September!
Blue skies,
Jerry

[pilot06]

Chuck,

Not actually a headset but related to the topic.



On epay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SS:US:1123

Patrick