Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an ultra rare excellent condition full pressure United States Navy high altitude Mark II flight helmet with original gold paint. Manufactured by the Firewel Company, Incorporated. The data plate on the left side of the helmet lists the helmet as part number GR60 with serial number 264. Features a clear glass retractable visor in excellent fully functional condition and a added leather suspension liner with chamois ear cups. Offered in overall excellent condition, this is a very very hard to find helmet as it became an iconic look of l960s and 70s outer space movies and television shows. There were never many produced and after the Navy moved on to a different design, the ones which weren't scrapped, were sold off to film production companies and Hollywood costume houses. Fining one with original paint and felt lined carry bag is notable. The interior liner denotes the size of the "headpiece" and LARGE X-LARGE. The liner is marked by B.F. GOODRICH CO. Also included is an orginal felt carry/storage bag with USN wings embroidered on the side.
The US NAVY MK-II or Mark II full pressure flight suit was an improvement of the MK-I with improved mobility as well as more comfort than the previous naval high altitude gear. The relevant helmet offered improved visibility and new tiedown system to prevent the helmet from rising under pressure.
The high altitude helmets and relevant suits have been developed to protect the human body against the lack of pressure and extremes of temperature at high altitude. During the 30s the first experimental pressurized suit manufactured by B.F. Goodrich was worn by Wiley Post during an actual flight above 50,000 feet. Early prototypes of pressure suits have been developed and tested during the WWII but the full operative high altitude equipment was introduced in the US armed forces during the late 40s. Because the USAF was already developing partial pressure suits the USN was tasked with developing full pressure suit. After the first prototypes which were lacking in mobility, proper ventilation, comfort and helmet restricted vision. The MK series was successfully developed in four versions used by US NAVY flight crew from the middle 50s through the early 70s.
The US NAVY MK-II or Mark II full pressure flight suit was an improvement of the MK-I with improved mobility as well as more comfort than the previous naval high altitude gear. The relevant helmet offered improved visibility and new tiedown system to prevent the helmet from rising under pressure.
The high altitude helmets and relevant suits have been developed to protect the human body against the lack of pressure and extremes of temperature at high altitude. During the 30s the first experimental pressurized suit manufactured by B.F. Goodrich was worn by Wiley Post during an actual flight above 50,000 feet. Early prototypes of pressure suits have been developed and tested during the WWII but the full operative high altitude equipment was introduced in the US armed forces during the late 40s. Because the USAF was already developing partial pressure suits the USN was tasked with developing full pressure suit. After the first prototypes which were lacking in mobility, proper ventilation, comfort and helmet restricted vision. The MK series was successfully developed in four versions used by US NAVY flight crew from the middle 50s through the early 70s.
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