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Note: Shipping available outside the USA with a Mail Forwarding service such as Shipito, as well as other global freight shipping services. ( I ship to them here in the USA, they ship to you). Please do your research with them for a quote.
This Helmet does NOT qualify for 'sGlobal Shipping Program, but I WILL sell to buyers from outside the USA. I will ONLY ship to a USA address, Friend, relative etc. Or you can make arrangements with a Mail Forwarding service as mentioned above. I ship to them here in the USA, they would then ship to you. For example, if you live in France, there is a company here in the USA that ships only to France.Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of that company. You will have to do the research.
If you have further questions, please be sure to contact me through .
It's come time to thin out my personal collection of historic militaria and vintage aviation collectibles.I’ve been collecting for 40+ years, with most of my items coming directly from Veterans estates.
This is a U.S.A.F. K-1 High Altitude Partial Pressure Flight Helmet with RARE Original Face Plate. The Face Plates for these helmets are seldom seen, as most were destroyed by the government due to safety concerns. This helmet is dated Dec 20 1954. Size is not noted. All K-1's as well as MA-2's were made by the International Latex Corporation. USAF
The tape on the front has the faint name of the Pilot who wore it,Colonel George Birdsong...a decorated pilot who flew 245 combat missions from WWII to Korea to Vietnam. I've listed some of his extensive history below.
This helmet is super clean and comes from my personal collection, having been displayed in a glass enclosed case. The original outer Green shell is in excellent condition, with no cracks or repairs. There are small nicks & scratches here and there. Some of the photo's may show fading, but there is none, that's just my lousy photographic lighting. The USAF decal is partially covered with tape, showing the pilots name. If the high buyer wants to replace the decal, there are very nice replacements available.
The interior is complete with electronics, nice, un-torn chamois lining and the correct M-6A/UR mic and cord with U-75/U plug. The inner rubber liner is present and showing some slight deterioration. The nylon hood is excellent with zipper and drawstrings working as intended.
The Original face plate is in beautiful shape with only a few smudges/marks which could be polished out if desired. TheOxygenHose is nice and flexible, but does have some of the usual , very minor, age related cracking.
Also included is a nice Gentex padded nylon Helmet Bag.
Fred the Head (Styrofoam Display Head) is not will be shipped fully insured via USPS registered mail with restricted delivery.
I Have this listed locally (CL) .
This helmet is considered to be a collectible military surplus helmet as well as an aviation transportation collectible George Birdsong:
Born 12th of October 1919 and raised in Clarksdale Mississippi. Birdsong earned a football scholarship at Southwest Mississippi Junior College. Winning his pilot's wings in April 1942, he was immediately assigned to a B-17 with the 91st bomb group in Bassingbourne, England, and was flying combat missions in the fall of 1942.
As a pilot, he participated in the first daylight raids over Germany and his plane, "The Delta Rebel," was the first to complete 25 missions in the European theatre.
Receiving a regular Army commission, he remained in the Air Force until November 1970. His combined military service was over 32 years. He experienced four wars, flying a combat tour in B-17s 1942-43, in the Eighth Air Force in the European Theatre. He flew B-29s, B-47s B-52s and B-58s during the Korean and Cold Wars.
He was a Wing Commander of the 633rd Special Operations Wing, Pleiku Airbase in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, where he flew A-1 Skyraiders. He wore the wings of a command pilot and was a rated navigator, bombardier and radar observer.
He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Nebraska, Omaha and his MBA from Michigan State in East Lansing. He was a published author and wrote articles for aviation magazines and journals.
245 combat missions including 220 in Vietnam.
Please ask all questions before offerding.
A note Re. Shipping prices:
I always ship at the cheapest rate possible, (which also means the slowest) but Due to 's notoriously inaccurate shipping calculator, I have been forced to quote a flat rate, for all buyers, on some sales.
The price will not be more than quoted, and If I can ship for less than quoted, for example, if you live close to me, I will always refund the difference after the item has been shipped.
You only pay for actual shipping charges, nothing extra.
I have a 100% response Rating for a reason, so offer with Confidence.
Please Note: The quoted shipping price is for the 48 Contiguous U.S. States only. Alaska & Hawaii may be Extra.
I will ship outside the U.S. but ONLY through 's Global Shipping Program, which will cost extra. Please contact for those additional charges.
Thank you
Please note:
Although some of my sales say No Returns, under the rare circumstance that I have left something out or grossly misrepresented an item, please let me know and we will work something out.
I combine shipping whenever possible.
Thank you
Please ask all questions before offerding.
Return Satisfaction Policy
I want your experience to be a 5 Star one! Therefore, all items are examined and every attempt is made to describe them completely and accurately. Items are guaranteed to be as stated, and a refund of purchase price, less shipping cheerfully given, upon return of item, if not as stated. However, most items are antique/vintage, and by virtue of their age will not be perfect.
Upon receipt if you have any concerns please contact me! If for any reason you are inclined to rate your experience less than Five Stars, please contact me first - lets discuss. Customer support is important to me as is your satisfaction!
Thank you for considering this sale – I truly appreciate it!
The Fine Print:
Please look at the pictures carefully, they are part of the description.
I may have overlooked something and do not guarantee that this listing includes every feature, aspect, defect, or imperfection. If in doubt, please ask questions BEFORE offerding.
Payment Instructions
Buyer pays flat rate shipping, must pay within 5 days, and is responsible for all shipping charges. In most cases, Insurance is included in the shipping price.
responseRegarding response:
I now have an automatic system that leaves response within 24hr's of receiving it.
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