RAF mk 3 or 4 helmet

[amonty]

Hello all,
Im looking for any suggestions as to where i could get a mk3c or 4a helmet for use in a jet provost. I've seen them on ebay but in the main they seem to need a lot of work and i feel i could get stung. I cant seem to find anyone else who sells them.
cheers in advance for any help you could give.

[flyingwardy]

Try Mart Aviation they may have something....

Failing that you can pick up some good helmets from ebay, if your not sure about the electrics I think Headset Services Limited may be able to help!

[Dan Winterland]

Word of advice. if you do, get it fitted properly by someone who knows what they're doing. A badly fitted or incorrect size helmet can do a lot of damage if used in anger in an ejection.

[NigelOnDraft]

A few pointers... IIRC the Mk3 (heavy ) did not work well v a Mk4 i.e. before deciding on which, what will the "other" occupant normally be wearing?

Before even looking you need to know which size you are looking for - M? MB? ML?

If you can get a Mk10 / Alpha better still.

HSL are not cheap, but you'll get the best. Cheap / eBay stuff sounds good, but not only might not give you the protection if you need it but quickly adds up cost in wasted fuel due poor comms, headaches, loss of hearing.

NB if it has live seats, please do not go down the boom mic route

NoD

[amonty]

Thanks all,

The other chap will be wearing a mk3c. The jp is a mk3a and does not have live seats though i do want the helmet to do its job if i have to leave in a hurry by other methods
mart aviation has stopped selling helmets and seems to be getting rid of the related items.
HSL seem very helpful and i think what i may end up doing is buying a shell and having it fitted with alpha electronics.
Hay ho ebay here i come.
Thanks again
Mark

[NigelOnDraft]

The jp is a mk3a and does not have live seats though i do want the helmet to do its job if i have to leave in a hurry by other methods

2 comments highlighted are rather a contradiction in terms

I have recently started flying some JPs without live seats (after a long time only with) and it is hard to envisage the circumstances that would lead to a "bale out"... The act of being able to stand up, pull that chute pack out of the seat, and move to get out, within a JP3 cockpit needs to be practiced (have you?). Thinking of it, I am not sure it has ever been done

NoD

PS actually these are contradictons too

mk3a ... hurry

[amonty]

I don’t think it has been done but then I don’t suppose any one would try for the hell of it if live seats were fitted, though with my height and at the risk of leaving my legs from the knee down behind I may be tempted. I’m sure someone out there will be able to put us right if it has.
I haven’t practiced it yet and I should think as I said being tall it would not be the easiest of tasks to achieve but then I’m sure if the need ever arose I would have a dam good go at it.
I think as my co pilot said 'if it goes down we go with it'.
To be honest I really want a helmet that will give me some protection but more important coms that work, and I would rather pay just the once and get it right especially if the unlikely scenario occurs where my other half gives me my bank card back and I get the chance to use it in something with real bang seats

[orionsbelt]

I have the following for sale

- Alpha Helmet

Alpha Flying Helmet Size M Colour red with visor and visor leather cover Ser No 52577 fitted with Dave Clark electrics with NATO connector and extension Nato to twin plug/socket adaptor for civil aircraft. Plus full fitting kit and video.
Bought from new Cost £591 has a tiny scratch on visor (which you can hardly see ) otherwise in excellent condition with original box I have all original proof of purchase documentation.
Looking for £300ish

Pls PM me if interested

******This helmet is not for use with live ejection seats *******

[Human Factor]

...especially if the unlikely scenario occurs where my other half gives me my bank card back and I get the chance to use it in something with real bang seats.

If you're that lucky, your other half can buy you a brand new one!!

Be aware that a civvy "Alpha" isn't necessarily suitable for bang seats. There are several versions, some of which are and some of which aren't. Talk to HSL.

[D SQDRN 97th IOTC]

amonty

pm me if you wish. I have both a Mk3 and a Mk4 helmet.
The Mk4 is lighter...and doesn't cover so much of your neck as the Mk3.
If you are doing lots of G, you may find the lighter helmet a better choice. For me personally, I find the Mk3 more comfortable. The weight is not a problem as my stomach often tells me that I have had enough of aeros well before my neck muscles do.

Re the comms - I struggled for a long time to get this right.
The amp on JPs is on the aircraft, so any boom mic needs to be un-amplified. Racal sell them. The mics in the mask - oxy assembly will normally be un-amplified.
Dave Clark boom microphones will not work in JPs - because the Dave Clark mics have amplifiers built in.

IMHO, you should get whatever helmet you choose professionally fitted. A wrongly fitted helmet may not be a problem from an ejection point of view if the seats are not live....but inappropriate pressure on your forehead, or the visors not properly sitting in your field of vision, or not being able to close properly over the oxy mask will detract from your enjoyment of flying JPs.

[Wessex Boy]

And don't forget that it will need to be re-fitted everytime you have your hair cut! (Unless you have your hircut very regularly!)

[md 600 driver]

i have some brand new microphones and earphone kits if your stuck