jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Oct 23, 2012 18:06:17 GMT 12
Does anyone happen to have photos of an SPH flight helmet as apparently used by the Red Checkers?
I am looking to recreate the helmet but would like to know what it looked like.
Many thanks.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2012 18:34:48 GMT 12
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jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Oct 23, 2012 18:55:14 GMT 12
Thanks Dave. I had looked at your site; full of lots of fascinating information.
I think the 1973 photos show a MArk 1A helmet, not an SPH. The 1981 photos also show another helmet type.
Hopefully a photo turns up .......
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2012 19:07:44 GMT 12
Ah, OK. Sorry I am not a helmet specialist, even though that was my trade I was never on a squadron so seldom worked on them except a little at PTS and the helmets by then were all Alphas, which I do recognise.
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jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Oct 23, 2012 19:17:02 GMT 12
No worries Dave; really appreciate you taking the time to post a response.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2012 20:19:46 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2012 20:26:56 GMT 12
Jaybee is referring to the Alpha Helmet's predecessor in the Red Checkers, which was the SPH-4 helmet. Alpha Helmets took over from the SPH-4 in the 1980's I think.
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Post by ngatimozart on Oct 23, 2012 20:53:45 GMT 12
The SPH4 was a helicopter helmet. Images of it here. This the manufacturers, Gentex website. Now its something like 35 odd years ago and the brains cells may have been somewhat addled since then, but I think that the bone domes used by fixed wing aircrew then were a different model. I used to be involved in the issue and authorising of issue of clothing etc., so if my memory serves me correctly the SPH4 was issued on its own because it already had a built in liner and specifically designed for helos. The fixed wing helmet was issued seperately from the inner helmet which had the earphones plugs etc. So you may need to find out what type of helmet that was. |
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Post by beagle on Oct 23, 2012 21:07:32 GMT 12
I have a SPH-4 dual visor helmet about 2 feet away from me, just checking to see if I have a photo of it or not. It hasn't got any red checker colours on the visor shroud at all though.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2012 21:32:38 GMT 12
From what I was told Paul, ABH6 was the strike pilot/nav helmet and SPH4 was used by everybody else. As I say, by the time I was in everyone had Alpha helmets, so my info may be wrong. Beags should remember back to those days?
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Post by beagle on Oct 23, 2012 21:55:49 GMT 12
Does anyone happen to have photos of an SPH flight helmet as apparently used by the Red Checkers? I am looking to recreate the helmet but would like to know what it looked like. Many thanks. as in you have one but want to paint it up like a red hecker one or you trying to build one for a model |
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Post by lesterpk on Oct 24, 2012 2:41:44 GMT 12
Pretty sure APH-4 is right based on the few photos I've able to see of them. APH-6 was the strike/jet version. ALPHA's came in about the late 80's, we had plenty of broken ones to train on in '94. Heres the best pic I found on DH's Red Checkers pages.  |
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Post by martytheduck on Oct 24, 2012 6:22:36 GMT 12
Thanks Dave. I had looked at your site; full of lots of fascinating information. I think the 1973 photos show a MArk 1A helmet, not an SPH. The 1981 photos also show another helmet type. Hopefully a photo turns up ....... I see 4 SPH4 helmets in the 1981 photo |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2012 14:42:16 GMT 12
Oooohh my bad hahaha :/
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Post by ngatimozart on Oct 24, 2012 15:30:37 GMT 12
From what I was told Paul, ABH6 was the strike pilot/nav helmet and SPH4 was used by everybody else. As I say, by the time I was in everyone had Alpha helmets, so my info may be wrong. Beags should remember back to those days? Like I said I'm doing this from memory and this is back in 76 - 77, & I had a lot of beers & spirits around then and since so I may be wrong. |
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jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Oct 24, 2012 18:31:21 GMT 12
Thanks everyone for all the responses. I am not a helmet expert but it’s a fascinating area because the RNZAF tended to mix and match equipment. I understand that the RNZAF used SPH-4 helmets but in many cases with an SPH-3 dual visor, and which looks quite different to the helmet depicted in the 1981 photos. I have been fortunate to be given this Gentex visor shield for an SPH-4:  Unlike those featured in the 1981 photo, the visor shield has no ‘nut’ in the middle. For those interested in the SPH range, a starting point is this link: reviews.ebay.com/SPH-Helicopter-Flight-Helmets?ugid=10000000002054827Essentially I am looking for photos so I can recreate a Red Checkers helmet using this visor shield. Hope that better explains my detective type exercise! |
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Post by beagle on Oct 25, 2012 6:38:46 GMT 12
It ceratinly looks the basic shape of a visor shroud for an sh4 or similar but the visor would have to be fixed in the down position as there is no provision for a single or dual action visor up or down mechanism
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Post by beagle on Oct 25, 2012 6:48:17 GMT 12
my apologies. just checked my dual visor one and the machanism is under the shroud
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Post by martytheduck on Oct 25, 2012 18:23:00 GMT 12
Will look in my pile, think I have some surplus stuff for the dual visor.
Will let you know
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jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Oct 25, 2012 18:46:54 GMT 12
Thanks for the kind offer. Just drop me a PM if that suits.
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