US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D FLIGHT HELMET HS-38 Y LOOM HEADSET
After establishing a fearsome reputation operating from land bases with US Marine Corps pilots in the South Pacific, a new landing approach and special training finally allowed the high performance Chance Vought F4U Corsair to be deployed from Navy carriers. The Corsair soon replaced dive bombers, torpedo planes, and Hellcats, as it could accurately deliver the same load as a dive bomber while retaining its deadly air to air capabilities. In January 1945, the Navy began establishing fighter bomber (VBF) squadrons flying the Corsair off fleet carriers. VBF-1, nicknamed the "Royal Flushers", was assigned to USS Bennington (CV-20) after she completed repairs in the Pacific in mid-June 1945.
Bennington could then better protect herself and the fleet with the air wing while wielding a powerful offensive strike package. VBF-1 flew strikes against Japanese warships and installations on the home islands until the surrender was signed in August 1945. This US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D FLIGHT HELMET HS-38 "Y LOOM" HEADSET is in good condition, with moderate stiffening and some scattered hardened black residue to the wiring, some warping, whitish soiling, and light edge chipping to the plastic end plug, and with some overall age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the headset is in fine shape, with no other damage.
Most interestingly, it boasts the original ANB-H-1 receivers marked MADE IN U. / BY / UTAH-CHICAGO", sports the classic "Y loom" wiring with a "PL-354 red plastic end plug, and is attributed to Ens. Ensign (later Commander) Harold O. "Bo" Bosacki served as an F4U Corsair fighter pilot with VBF-1 during the squadron's entire deployment aboard the Bennington from June to August 1945, twice earning the Air Medal for number of combat missions flown. On August 13th, 1945 Ensign Bosacki's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a strike on Central Honshu, but his rugged bird brought him home safely.
Fine example of a rare, original US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D FLIGHT HELMET HS-38 "Y LOOM" HEADSET. GOVERNMENT at the left front. The item "US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D FLIGHT HELMET HS-38 Y LOOM HEADSET" is in sale since Saturday, March 23, 2019.
This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.