Red Helmet Usaf Thunderbirds P-3 Toptex Gentex Jet Pilot Flight Reference Book

Just as the fighter jets used by the US Air Force flight demonstration team, better known as as the "Thunderbirds", continued to be upgraded with advancing technology, so too were the "bone dome" flight helmets worn by those daring aviators. The Thunderbirds started with the P series of helmets in the late 1940s and early 1950s, then transitioned to custom fitted Toptex T-3s and subsequent Protection Inc. (first a subsidiary of Mine Safety Appliances, then its own private company in Pomona, CA) flight helmets, and have worn specially modified HGU-55/E helmets for the last 28 years. All USAF Thunderbird flight helmets have been of great interest to collectors and enthusiasts for decades, leading Jeffrey D. Guidry to write an authoritative reference book on the subject in 2020, released by the publisher just a few months ago.

This "RED HELMET" USAF THUNDERBIRDS P-3 TOPTEX GENTEX JET PILOT FLIGHT REFERENCE BOOK is in near mint, unread condition, with only some light scattered storage wear evident (most pictured). Otherwise, the book is in near mint shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it boasts elegantly illustrated hardcovers, and sports 334 pages full of descriptive text, period pictures, and color photographs of US Air Force Thunderbird P-1, P-1A, P-1B, P-3, Toptex T-3, HGU-26/P, Protection Inc. Gentex, and Gibson & Barnes formerly Flight Suits Ltd. , wonderful accounts of Thunderbird pilots from the formation of the team to the present day, including many riveting flying stories, and a plethora of other invaluable information.

A beautiful example of a "RED HELMET" USAF THUNDERBIRDS P-3 TOPTEX GENTEX JET PILOT FLIGHT REFERENCE BOOK. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Vietnam (1961-75)\Original Period Items\Hats & Helmets".

The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

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