Warbird Information Exchange

What is so good about the newer MBU-20/23 (side-hose) mask over the old version MBU-12? From a user standpoint, do you see any benefits for the new style over the old style? (Curious about which to get when my old one wears out.)
Thx & Happy New Year,
VL

I'd have to check the T.O's on Wednesday to get you the technical aspects. But the MBU-20/P is the Combat Edge Mask, and is used in conjunction with a modified HGU-55/P helmet, Anti-G Suit and Anti-G Vest. In the late 90's F-15 drivers started using the Combat Edge equipment, the F-16's had already been using it for a while. Due to increasing G-LOC (G induced Lost Of Consciousness) incidents in the F-15's (We had one at Tyndall AFB around 94/95 resulting in a AC lost, and a long recovery for a pilot that is darn lucky), it was decided to incorporate the system in the Eagles.

The MBU-12/P is just a standard O2 mask. Non-Fighter aircraft in USAF still use this mask.

Due to the MBU-20/P having a hardshell and a soft inner face piece one could get a better fit with it versus the MBU-12/P. The -20/P brought back that feature from the -5/P. But being that the hardshell is rigid, it would be more likely to be cracked then the -12/P's single face piece construction. If I recall correctly the -20/P comes in more sizes then the 12/P does also.


Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"

Nearly everyone in the fighter world -- including trainers and other aircraft that do not have the PBG/COMBAT EDGE system -- is currently using the 20/P mask. Starting in '04 or '05 the T-38 squadron I was previously with stopped issuing the 12/P unless a pilot specifically asked for it due to fit or comfort.

There is nothing about it that makes it special or un-useable in other applications.

When I initially started flying with the 20/P mask, I did not like it. It fits quite differently than the 12/P, with the noticeable differences in the upper cheek and lower lip areas. There is an additional seal in the 20/P under the lower lip area that bugged the heck out of me. In additon, the 12/P fit me snug in the cheek area (I'm a bit of a chubby-cheeked dude to begin with) and it turns out that this was supporting the mask a little as I was wearing it. The 20/P is more open in the cheek area, and this mean that the "suspension" of the mask relied more on the bridge of my nose than before.

The important thing to note is that the angle of the j-clips that attach the mask to the helmet are DIFFERENT between the 12/P and the 20/P. The result is that if you just slap a 20/P on a helmet that you used to wear with a 12/P, the new mask will ride too low on your face. Both helmets I've had that switched from 12 to 20 required that the recievers be rotated "up" a few degrees to get the new mask placement correct. This is a known problem in the life support community, but I don't think the "commercial" helmet retailers would pass along this little gem when they sold you a new mask.

Eventually, I got over the differences...and NOW I absolutely love the 20/P mask and do not want to ever go back to the 12/P. I feel like the 20/P is so much more free and fits my face overall much better.

If you are going to be able to get the USAF to issue a 20/P as part of Heritage Flight, then DEFINITELY go for it. Otherwise, if you are going to be paying for it out-of-pocket, then do not bother. The mask goes for something like $800 alone, and the only real difference is how it feels when you wear it.

Be sure to get the recievers re-drilled when you switch over, too.

Hey Vlado, is it only coincidence that you are asking about an oxygen mask on New Years Eve? And if you are in Breckenridge, breathing is a waste of time since there's no oxygen anyway. A new mag has a story on the highest airport in the world, at 18,000 feet! You have to carry and oxygen bottle to do the walk around.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK