USA APH-5 II

WWW.FLIGHTGEAR.CH

ARMY APH-5

	The APH-5 Flight Helmet was introduced in the late 50's as a replacement for the US Navy H-4 series for use on fast jets. With the appearance of the newest APH-6 in the USN inventory in the early 60's, the APH-5 was phased out and relegated to helicopter use for all branches of service. The APH-5 had an Epoxy shell, single clear/dark visor, and US ARMY models were equipped with an M33 boom mike. Early versions were issued in white color had a metal rail fixed to the visor cover. The APH-5 was the main helicopter crew helmet during the Viet-Nam war, until completely replaced by the SPH-4 type around 1972.
	Here's an Air Cav Huey pilot's comment on the APH-5 flight helmet. "This standard Army issue helmet proved to be grossly inadequate, and the high-pitched whine of the engines caused all Vietnam helicopter pilots to lose high frequency hearing. The Army had to lower their flight-physical hearing standards just to keep combat instructor pilots." (from Tom A. Johnson book "To the Limit")