Warbird Information Exchange

I recently purchased an HGU-33 helmet from Gibson & Barnes (formerly Flight Suits). The ear protection is very poor and I expect rapid hearing loss in the current configuration. While thinking about improving it, I thought about WIX. There are a lot of creative people here and I am just wondering if anyone has addressed this problem and would be willing to share information. Either PM or share with the group. Thanks,

Rob Coussens

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

Rob,

Call Oregon Aero--a few years ago at Oshkosh I stopped by their exhibit and on the spot they did a complete overhaul of the liner and headphones on my HGU-55 helmet. They do a lot of business with the military and provide great service and products.


http://www.oregonaero.com/p69_2001.html#reducesound

I have a gentex 33 and an RAF MK2. The RAF helmet is great in jets and war birds as it has a tight seal around the whole head in leather. Very comfortable and quiet even in the nosiest of the jets.

I second the recommendation on Oregon Aero. I have the triangular "SoftSeal" in my HGU-55 and it works great, both in noise reduction, and in comfort. With the stock ear seals the bones behind my ears would hurt quite bad after a long flight.

There is also this ENR kit available for helmets. I know a few people that have put it in and have been very happy with it. It's on my list to do. Somewhere on the web there is a detailed write-up on installing it...but I couldn't find it with a quick Google. However, here's the web address of the mfr:

http://www.anr-headsets.com/Html_folder ... rder.shtml

Another thing you can do is actually get custom-fit ear buds with an integral speaker that you put in your ears like earplugs - and then put the helmet on.

I flew C-130s for 13 years and used foam ear plugs in addition to the David-Clark headsets we had and the helmets we wore. The ear plugs are the best defense in addition to the headset/helmet.

In the P-51 and other piston fighters, I use foam ear plugs with the helmet. I have found the helmet does not 'squeeze' tight enough around my cranium (ok, insert jokes, pleeze!) to make an effective seal for the ANR systems to work properly. Plus, over time, the helmet and ear cups become loose/soft, thus further reducing the ability of an ANR system to work. However, a headset accomplishes the 'squeeze' because of its design and thus ANR headsets work well. In jets, the cockpit noise is less and thus I do not use foam ear plugs.
My 2 cents,
VL

As a USAF Life Support technican I agree with the Oregon Aero suggestion. We use the hush kits made by them on our HGU-55/P's, my crew-dogs love them. A big issue is also making sure that the helmet is properly fitted and adjusted. Too loose of a helmet and it doesn't matter that type of earcups you have. Using them with the foam earplugs is your best defense against hearing loss. My unit flies MC-130E's which is pretty dang loud. The new HGU-55/P helmets incorporate an Intergrated Chin and Nape Strap Assembly, the tightness of the nape strap is accomplished by pulling the chin strap tighter, ensuring that over time that the helmet doesn't become loose.


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

I'm with Vlado.
I have ANR in mine but I still wear foam plugs too if the flight is going to be of any length.

Which jets are you referring to? I've worn foam earplugs under my helmet in every military jet I've been in...it's painful without them IMHO.

I am rapidly becoming the deaf old guy (at 40?) and have been through two ANR setups in the past 15 years or so. In my experience either the ANR wiring goes bad because of movement within the helmet or you lose the battery pack or you forget to have extra 9v batteries and then you keep forgetting and get more deaf. And if your cranium swells like Vlado then your helmet doesn't fit right and then more noise gets in which then causes an overpowering of the ANR setup which makes it worse. Maybe it's canopy wind noise or something but my ANR actually makes more noise in my C model then without it. Get the Oregon Aero inserts for your helmet. That's my suggestion anyway. Jim

Randy: Slow jets...T-33, L-39, Galeb, A-37, etc. (slow= no bombs, under Mach 1).
Jim: I like it!...."cranium swells"......my wife understands that one!
Along with the helmet, buy a big box of foam ear plugs to always be readily available. OregonAero is a good investment too.
Thx,
VL

Helmets usually come in three main sizes, medium, large, and x-large. For guys like Vlado ,on special order, you can also get Great Pumpkin.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

The standard helmet sizes are Medium, Large and X-Large, this is true for the HGU-55/P and the HGU-26/P and if I recall correctly the HGU-39/P AKA the SPH-4. I'd have to look at the Tech Order about the Small size. Not saying that they don't come in a Small size, I just have no knowledge of one. I have no knowledge of the HGU-33/P helmets. Also another great investment is to get a ZETA liner by Oregon Aero, tons more comfortable then the Thermal Plastic Liner (TPL) compressed bubble plastic.


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

Mike-

Can you speak to the frontal impact protection that the current military jet helmets provide. I have heard that they aren't really designed for front impact and if you are really looking for that you need to be wearing a helicopter helmet. I am just interested in your perspective. I just ordered a helmet from the good folks at Campbell Aero Classics because I like the look, but they have also told me the front impact protection is much better because of the kevlar shell. Thoughts?

Mike-

Can you speak to the frontal impact protection that the current military jet helmets provide. I have heard that they aren't really designed for front impact and if you are really looking for that you need to be wearing a helicopter helmet. I am just interested in your perspective. I just ordered a helmet from the good folks at Campbell Aero Classics because I like the look, but they have also told me the front impact protection is much better because of the kevlar shell. Thoughts?