US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D NAF 1092 LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET RARE
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 NAF 1092 LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET is in very good condition, with some patina to the hardware at front, some bending to the chin cup, some light loosening to the left end of the chamois chin cup lining, some side to side flattening to the crown, some twisting to the goggle retention tab at the middle back, some light whitish discoloration along the middle crown, and with some light overall age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the helmet is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough "pebbled" brown goatskin leather construction. Most interestingly, it's attributed to.
Ensign (later Commander) Harold O. "Bo" Bosacki, who 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.
The helmet is a Size 7 1/4. Boasts the original sewn brown leather ear cups, darkened brass A-14 oxygen mask snap-on hook at the right front, and two metal "male" snaps at the left front, and sports the classic front bill, triple crown seams, and goggle retention tabs at back. It features the original, matching goatskin leather chin cup, bears U. " stamped at the back left crown, and carries the traditional "NAF 1092 / B-G. US Navy contract label at the base of the clean chamois lining.
A fine example of a very rare, original US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D NAF 1092 LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET. GOVERNMENT at the left front. The item "US Navy WW2 F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID'D NAF 1092 LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET RARE" is in sale since Saturday, February 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.