Vtg USMC Marine HMH-363 HELICOPTER PILOT GENTEX SPH-3C RAMS HORN FLIGHT HELMET
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), better known as the "Lucky Red Lions", boast a long lineage going from the present day back to 1952. In the early 1980s, HMH-363 flew the CH-53D Sea Stallion during training exercises on deployments to the Western Pacific and Far East. USMC helicopter pilots of that era wore the classic Gentex SPH-3C flight helmet, often embellished with reflective tape designs in their unit's colors. This Vintage USMC Marine HMH-363 HELICOPTER PILOT GENTEX SPH-3C "RAMS HORN" FLIGHT HELMET is in very good condition, with some light vertical scratching to the middle tinted visor, some "browning" and edge nicking to the nomenclature tag at the lower reverse, some light crazing to the upper portion of the main wiring receiver at back, some ongoing deterioration to the foam padding of the interior ear cups, and with some light overall age wear evident (ALL pictured).
Otherwise, the helmet is in fine shape, with absolutely no cracking or other damage to the tough fiberglass construction. Most interestingly, it's a Size X-Large, boasts a striking reflective pattern around the exterior, with a white base, "HMH 363" in orange on the visor housing, centered by a four leaf clover in orange with the number "64" in the middle (the clover plays off the squadron nickname "Lucky Red Lions", and "64" was likely the pilot's individual or chopper number), the letters "YZ" in orange at each exterior ear, and three orange stripes running vertically down the middle back crown, and is dated 1982 on the original "HELMET ASSY, SPH-3C" nomenclature tag at the lower reverse, which is also marked with its maker, the famous "GENTEX CORPORATION". It sports the original Gentex dual visor "rams horn" housing with fully functional white plastic pull down knobs, black velcro distress light attachment squares at the middle visor housing, tinted and clear visors, boom mic with wiring, dual darkened brass "glove" snap closure OD nylon chinstrap with sliding pad, wide OD cotton neck band, brown leather and OD HBT nylon interior suspension, black rubber edge rim, black rubber interior ear cups, metal ear phones, styrofoam crown liner, and main wiring receiver with end plug, and is a fine example of a very rare, original.
Vintage USMC Marine HMH-363 HELICOPTER PILOT GENTEX SPH-3C "RAMS HORN" FLIGHT HELMET. The item "Vtg USMC Marine HMH-363 HELICOPTER PILOT GENTEX SPH-3C RAMS HORN FLIGHT HELMET" is in sale since Thursday, August 20, 2020.
This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Vietnam (1961-75)\Original Period Items\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.