Extremely rare original 1957 U.S. Air Force MA-2 high-altitude partial pressure helmet made by International Latex Corporation (ILC) of Dover, Maryland. The helmet’s face shield, ports, and ear cups have been professionally replicated by Astrosmiths artisan Stephen ‘Sven’ Harris, the oxygen hose is new old stock, and all other components (shell, liner, ear speakers, and two microphones) are original and in excellent condition. In very good to fine condition, with two cracks to back of helmet, which bears various scuffs and marks, and some staining to inner seal. A great historical representation of a famous Cold War-era helmet.
The MA-2 was used by the USAF, NACA, and C.I.A. in U-2 Reconnaissance, F-100, F-102, F-14, F-106, B-52, and B-58 high-altitude jet and experimental rocket-assisted aircraft. The helmet was made famous by the 1960 U-2 incident when C.I.A. pilot Francis Gary Powers and his Lockheed U-2 spy plane were shot down during a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace.
The MA-2 was a K-1 derivative that featured the following modifications: a fiberglass shell painted white to increase heat reflection; a high pressure, small diameter, reinforced oxygen hose; a visor with a 24-volt heating circuit, fitted with in-flight drinking/feeding port; improved defogging system; a longer neckpiece that covers the upper chest and shoulder areas; snap fasteners to prevent the neckpiece from pulling out of the suit; a deeper neck seal; a three-way stretch cloth inserted in the neckpiece to increase head mobility; an in-turned bladder; and an improved microphone.
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