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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Aug 2018, 20:47 
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Presumably the Alpha 220 is UK manufactured? What helmet do Rooivalk crew use - TopOwl?

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Aug 2018, 21:34 
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H1017412 wrote:
Presumably the Alpha 220 is UK manufactured?

Indeed, by Helmets Ltd prior to their take-over by Gentex.

H1017412 wrote:
What helmet do Rooivalk crew use - TopOwl?

AFAIK, yes.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 28 Aug 2018, 18:29 
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Here's an interesting helmet I collected when on a brief trip to PE this past weekend: A Mk1A(M) with Type G inner liner and a throat mike, as used by a Flight Engineer of 16 Squadron (Port Elizabeth) when on the Alouette III. Note the cut-out for the FE's nose! :lol:

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018, 07:53 
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Would be awesome to get your hands on the current 16 sqn Rooivalk helmet! :wink:
Although I do think these are slightly to scares and way to expensive to have them handed out to civilians, for now. Might be possible to get one ones these are discontinued or the Rooivalk is discontinued.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018, 08:21 
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boertjie wrote:
Would be awesome to get your hands on the current 16 sqn Rooivalk helmet! :wink:


From your lips to G-ds ears! [-o<

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 17 Sep 2018, 11:12 
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Not something you see every day ... a Helmet Mk 1A(M) with boom mike and Type G inner liner, as used by SAAF helicopter crew (I believe this one was used a by Super Frelon crew member).

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Oct 2018, 15:55 
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What a nice surprise, my refurbished Elno (Gueneau) 316 helmet (with Ulmer 82 mask) was hand delivered today! :D

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This, and the Gueneau 317, must be one of the most recognisable helmets in the SAAF. First issued in 1986, they are still operationally used in small quantities.
Thanks MG! :smt023

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Oct 2018, 19:39 
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Dean wrote:
First issued in 1986, they are still operationally used in small quantities.


On what aircraft types Dean?

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Oct 2018, 21:39 
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Apart from many Reserve Force members still using those issued to them back in the day, the Elno 316 is still used by the Silver Falcons, as they can be painted without invalidating any manufacturer warranties.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 23 Oct 2018, 22:41 
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Very nice 8) great condition, not easy to come by.

H1017412 wrote:
Dean wrote:
First issued in 1986, they are still operationally used in small quantities.


On what aircraft types Dean?
.

Firstly I am not Dean, but will take a shot at answering anyway.

In the SAAF it was used by Harvard, Impala, Mirage, Cheetah crew's. Not sure about Canberra's?

It was also used extensively by the French Air Force.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 24 Oct 2018, 07:00 
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Sorry, I thought H1017412 meant on what types the 316 is still being used.

Pilots of the following types used the 316: Harvard, Buccaneer, Impala Mk I, Impala Mk II, PC-7 Mk II, Mirage III, Mirage F1, Cheetah C, Cheetah D, Cheetah E and Hawk.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 24 Oct 2018, 20:22 
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Dean wrote:
Sorry, I thought H1017412 meant on what types the 316 is still being used.

Pilots of the following types used the 316: Harvard, Buccaneer, Impala Mk I, Impala Mk II, PC-7 Mk II, Mirage III, Mirage F1, Cheetah C, Cheetah D, Cheetah E and Hawk.


Correct Dean - and thanks Mars. Would it be fair to say it's one of the more or most widely issued helmet in recent SAAF history?

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 24 Oct 2018, 20:34 
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H1017412 wrote:
Would it be fair to say it's one of the more or most widely issued helmet in recent SAAF history?


Definitely!

It's helicopter companion is the Gueneau 317. Although superficially looking like the 316, it differs in a number of ways, such as having the mike/earphone lead coming out the back, having a chin strap, a single earphone holder tab on each side and, obviously, no mask clip receivers, but a boom mike.

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 24 Oct 2018, 22:50 
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Dean wrote:
H1017412 wrote:
Would it be fair to say it's one of the more or most widely issued helmet in recent SAAF history?


Definitely!

It's helicopter companion is the Gueneau 317. Although superficially looking like the 316, it differs in a number of ways, such as having the mike/earphone lead coming out the back, having a chin strap, a single earphone holder tab on each side and, obviously, no mask clip receivers, but a boom mike.


Difficult to comment without exact numbers, but I would have argued that Mk1 and variations would have been the most widely used based purely the types of aircraft it was used for.

Harvard, Impala, Mirage, Sabre, Vampire, Shackleton, Canberra, Wasp, Super Felon, Alouette, Puma

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 Post subject: Re: SAAF helmets
PostPosted: 24 Oct 2018, 22:55 
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Dean wrote:
Sorry, I thought H1017412 meant on what types the 316 is still being used.

Pilots of the following types used the 316: Harvard, Buccaneer, Impala Mk I, Impala Mk II, PC-7 Mk II, Mirage III, Mirage F1, Cheetah C, Cheetah D, Cheetah E and Hawk.


Apologies, it was I that misread the question.

But it follows nicely on to a question I had, what helmet is currently used on the PC-7MkII's and Hawks. It looks like a newer version of the 316?

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