25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
25.04.1955, First FFA P-16 prototype flight; F-Type cloth helmet, P- visor, modified US MS22001.
Mk.1, FFA P-16 FIRST FLIGHT 1955
​
The first flight of the FFA P-16 took place on April 25, 1955. Designed by Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein (FFA), the P-16 was a fighter-bomber of entirely Swiss design.
Despite promising performance during testing, the P-16 program was abandoned due to technical problems, accidents during tests flights and political opposition.
​
During the first flight, test pilot Hans Häfliger used a modified Mk.1 / F-Type helmet fitted with a P- series visor.
Instead of the standard H-Type, he used an MS22001 mask, which had also been modified to possibly be compatible with the British helmet comm system. ​
​
Häfliger had experience with British equipment as he was involved in the evaluation of the DH-112 Venom aircraft in 1952; a few days before (on April 5/6) the maiden flight of the P-16, he had also flown a Hunter F.2 at Bitterswell (GB).
To our knowledge, there are no official documents concerning the modifications made, which were most likely “home-made” on the pilot's instructions at the ALSE department in Dübendorf.
During those years, the Swiss Air Force was testing various types of helmets. In the case of flights in aircraft equipped with ejection seats, it was deemed necessary to have a fixed visor fitted to the helmet's shell instead of the goggles in use at the time.
The Mk.1 did not have one.
​
The use of the modified helmet was probably short-lived, as in other photos from the period Mr. Häfliger is wearing an H-5.
Ours is a repro based on the few images and films from the period, If anyone would have any information or documents on this matter, I would be more than happy to get in touch.
Note: the above degraded image is taken from the book " Das Düsenkampfflugzeug P-16", by F.H. Meier, Guarda, 2020, for educational purposes only, in accordance with the Berne Convention, Art. 10.
