MA-2 high-altitude partial pressure helmet

The MA-2 was a development of the previous K-1 helmet and was produced by International Latex Corporation from 1956 onward. Main improvement consisted in a high pressure breathing system instead of the low-pressure one used on the K-1.

The helmet was made from 3 distinctive parts: zippered hood, white painted fibreglass shell and Plexiglas faceplate. A USAF logo decal was usually applied on the shell front.

The faceplate incorporated all the breathing system and was equipped with a built-in electrical defogging wire. A small feeding spring-loaded port in front mouth enabled pilots to eat or drink from tube-contained food.

It was worn with the MC-3 and MC-4 partial pressure suits series. It flew with every type of high performance jet in use at the time, including USAF, NACA and CIA operated types well into the 60’s.

The MA-2 has been typically associated to the Gary Powers case, when his U-2 was shot down over Russia in 1960.

The MA-2 has been probably issued to some foreign F-104 users (i.e. Taiwan and Sweden).