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With
the advent of a new series of flight helmet, there inevitably
comes another way to attach the oxygen mask. Many times these
attachment methods are put on older helmets before they become
obsolete, so dates are hard to nail down. Below you will find some
of the methods you will come across for attaching oxygen masks to
helmets. |
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Hardman "Christmas
Tree" Bayonet Clip and Bayonet receiver. Note receiver is
chromed. Used on early US Navy APH-5 series helmets and US Air
Force P-4A & B series flight helmets. Circa late 1950s and early
1960s. |
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USN "Butterfly Clip" as
used on MS22001 oxygen masks. The "receiver" is built into the
APH-6 series flight helmet, featuring a chromed flush metal
housing cut into the shell. Circa 1968 through late 1970s. |
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US Air Force "Single
Strap" straight bayonet clip. Used on early MBU-5/P oxygen masks
utilizing a special strap assembly. Circa early to mid 1960s. For
use with the straight cast bayonet receiver. Examples of helmets
used on- HGU-2 & 2/P series. |
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US Air Force and Navy
"T" Bayonet clip, also called straight bayonet clip. Used by the
Navy in the early 1960s until the butterfly clip, then again in
the early 1970s on early HGU-33/Ps. The 2 straps allow for
individual adjustment for fitting. For use with the straight cast
bayonet receiver. Helmet examples- early HGU-33/Ps, Navy APH-5s,
HGU-26/P, HGU-2/P series. |
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US Air Force and Navy
"Offset" bayonet clip, also know as "J Clip." First introduced in
the late 1970s (around 1978 or 79) with the MBU-12/P oxygen mask,
this style of clip is the standard for most oxygen masks in use
today. Similar to the "T" bayonet clip, the offset unit has dual
adjusting straps on each side. The clip itself has been angled
about 45 degrees upwards and the strap bar has been mounted so it
is flush with the inside of the helmet. This allows for better fit
of the oxygen mask. Receivers- at the top is the Cast Offset
Bayonet Receiver. The same receiver unit as the above, just when
drilling for it, it is rotated approximately 45 degrees downward.
Next is the Lightweight Bayonet Receiver. Used on the HGU-55/P in
the silver color, and on the HGU-68/P & 85/P in a blackened
version. This lightweight receiver is the "guts" of the cast
bayonet receiver, just minus the cast metal shell for lighter
weight. The next photo shows a Plastic Lightweight Bayonet
Receiver. This is used on the
HALO HGU-55/P and features no edges to snag parachute shroud
lines. The receivers on the 55/P series helmets are custom fit on
each pilot, so you won't always see them set at the same angle or
exact location on every helmet. |
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This offset bayonet
clips is from the MBU-20/P Combat Edge oxygen mask. Very similar
to the standard offset clip, it has a different strap bar for the
different fitting mask. The Combat Edge HGU-55/Ps use the
lightweight bayonet receiver. |
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