reported New pilot model issues / helmet view issue

[Ala12Rv-Muscat]

En 7/4/2024 a las 23:20, ggerman2862 dijo:

Just for even more specifics...

The standard issue Air Force HGU-55/P Combat Edge helmet has gray elephant ears, gray leather stop blocks and a grey strip in the center that goes from the front edge to where the stop blocks are located (this is to prevent scratches on the inside center of the bungee visor.) It also has the NVG mounting brackets. Usually, when we have our HGU-55/P refurbished and the leather edge roll replaced, we omit the center strip (however some pilots choose to keep that because they have aftermarket mirror coated visors and don't want to risk scratches.) but when issued in UPT or B-Course, they usually have the center strip.

The standard Air Force HGU-55/P with a JHMCS visor has the gray leather edge roll but does NOT have the elephant ears, stop blocks, or center strip. But it does have the NVG mount brackets. In recent years, the Air Force decided to allow pilots to customize their helmets (both standard and JHMCS versions) so you will see many USAF HGU-55/p helmets with printed vinyl graphic wraps. These wraps are easier (and cheaper) to apply than custom painting - since pilots must pay the cost of customizing out-of-pocket.

The current issue Navy HGU-68/P now comes standard from Gentex with the bungee visor, black leather edge roll and stop blocks and has black leather elephant ears, as well as the NVG mounting brackets. The track-mounted visor is now optional, since most pilots prefer the bungee style visor (and many prefer to have aftermarket mirror coated visors - which are less expensive than mirror-coated track-style visors). There is also a standard 2" square of black velcro loop on top of the helmet for mounting the emergency strobe locator beacon in case of ejection on land or water.

The current issue Navy HGU-68/P with the JHMCS visor has black leather edge roll but does NOT have the elephant ears. It also has the black velcro loop on top for the strobe beacon.

U.S. Marine Corps HGU-68/P helmets run the gamut - some retain the track visors while other use the bungee visor. Many times, US Marine pilots wear camo helmets covers in the AOR, and they are easier to put over the bungee version than the track version.

And ... contrary to what "Top Gun: Maverick" depicts, fleet Navy pilots don't have those colorful custom painted helmets. Both U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine HGU-68/P helmets (and the new $400K F-35 helmets) are required to have at least 90% of their surface covered in white reflective tape for easier identification in case of CSAR at sea... the remaining 10% can be used for squadron markings - which are usually vinyl decals.

F-35 helmets have only the reflective tape and the carbon fiber pattern of the helmet. (no custom graphics)

 

very interesting, thanks for sharing this info