SPH-4 PROJECT GUARDRAIL
This SPH-4 Helmet belonged to an US ARMY pilot involved in PROJECT GUARDRAIL II and IV from 1972 to 1976. The helmet has been modified to take the MBU-5/P Oxygen Mask.
PROJECT GUARDRAIL (Guardrail Common Sensor Program ) was an Airborne Battlefield Signal Surveillance concept started by US ARMY in 1971 (Guardrail I).
As far as 1998 the system has reached the technological level of Guardrail XII.
The basic aircraft type used in the GUARDRAIL project was the Beechcraft RU-21 Huron. Starting with the piston-engined version of 1971, the type was later upgraded up to the RC-12Q version in 1998.
The original owner of this helmet was based in Hawaii from 1972 to 1975.
In 1973 he was sent in South East Asia in order to support a Missing In Action (MIA) search program over Viet Nam, under GUARDRAIL II program. During this type of activity the crew flew in civilian clothes.
In 1976, this same pilot flew GUARDRAIL IV missions along the North Korean border, flying from Taegu AB.
More on PROJECT GUARDRAIL HERE