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.
View
Oxygen Mask Attachment Hardware available for sale here.
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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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