Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This is a fantastic grouping attributed to US Navy Lieutenant-Commander Milton Dempsey Bouchillon, a Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran. Bouchillon served as a member of the US Navy’s “Hurricane Hunters”, a Navy squadron that was sent to seek out, track, and penetrate the worst of nature’s weather phenomena—hurricanes.
The first crewed flight into a hurricane happened in 1943 when a pilot-trainer flew into a Category 1 hurricane near Galveston, Texas on a bet.
In the past, before satellites were used to find tropical storms, military aircraft flew routine weather reconnaissance tracks to detect formation of tropical cyclones. While modern satellites have improved the ability of meteorologists to detect cyclones before they form, only aircraft are able to measure the interior barometric pressure of a hurricane and provide accurate wind speed data, information needed to accurately predict hurricane development and movement.
The Items In This Lot:
- 1967 Dated Navy Pilot APH-6D Flight Helmet by Gentex: Size large and offered in fair condition with missing components such as internal padding and electronics. At the end of the 50's the APH series helmets introduced a new generation of flight helmets characterized by the external visor covered with a protective shield. Improvement of the communication system, internal liner and oxygen mask retainers was also made and in some versions the dual dark and transparent visors system was installed. These types of helmets were the US Navy and USMC standard jet aircraft headgears during the 60's and throughout the 70's. In this period the first development of a flight helmet incorporating the Visual Target Acquisition System (VTAS I) was also made. Furthermore during the late 60's, flight tests were performed to verify the suitability of a full face "Clam Shell'' helmet designed to eliminate the oxygen mask and to give better protection during ejection.
- United States Navy G-1 Intermediate Flight Jacket Dated 1970 - Size 44: This is a very nice G-1 “Military Flight Jacket” in near unissued condition at a size 44. The "G-1" military flight jacket is the commonly accepted name for the fur-lined-collar World War II-era flight jacket of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. A similar jacket used by the United States Army Air Corps/United States Army Air Forces was usually called the A-2 jacket.
The G-1 remains a current uniform-issue item in naval aviation for officer and enlisted aviation personnel on flying status in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard (i.e., Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, Naval Flight Surgeon, Naval Aircrewman, etc.) and was featured as the leather flight jacket worn by Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun.
The jacket is in great condition, though as with almost all we see the cuffs and waist band have suffered minor damage and deterioration. There are some moth nips, holes, and also a few tears, as well as a stitched repair on one cuff. The internal satin lining still retains the original label:
JACKET, FLYER’S
INTERMEDIATE TYPE G-1
MIL-J-7823D (WP)
STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO.
DSA100-70-C-0483
SIZE 44
- Blue Lens Aviator Flying Glasses With Case: These are a fantastic example of the classic “aviator glasses” which have the desirable blue lenses. The blue tint enhances contours around objects and reduces glare. This ease in viewing experience invokes less stress on the eye for longer time wear. Wearing them while on or over the water will help increase the natural blues of the ocean and sky in any conditions, perfect for a Hurricane Hunter! They are in good condition with clear lenses but they do show moderate wear.
- Petri 2.8 Color Corrected Super Camera Set With Accessories and Named Leather Bag: Now this is a lovely camera set that features the Petri 2.8, multiple exposure set tools, tripod (with case), flash bulb set with bulbs, manual and leather carry case named on the top to Bouchillon. We cannot confirm that the camera itself is functional. The Petri cameras were made by the Kuribayashi Camera Company of Tokyo Japan. The Petri 2.8 Color Corrected Super was introduced in 1958, just as color films were catching on. After this camera came out, a more expensive version with a f1.9 lens followed. Even though the company produced competent cameras, if this one is any indication, Kuribayashi could not compete in the automation craze of the 1970s, and so it folded.
- 14” x 11” AEWRON FOUR HURRICANE HUNTERS Plaque: Offered in good condition with all colors and details retained. The large metal insignia is partially detached. The lower brass tag reads as:
LT. M.D. BOUCHILLON USN
AEWRON FOUR OFFICERS
1960-1965
The pilots and crews who fly hurricane reconnaissance flights are assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron “AEWRON” Four in the same manner as personnel are assigned to any Navy billet. There are no specific requirements or qualifications other than proficiency in a basic flight specialty which must be met before a man can become a Hurricane Hunter.
- 11” x 10” Naval Air Test Center Flight Test Plaque: The plaque is in wonderful condition though it does not state exactly which Naval Air Test Center he was at wee believe it to be Patuxent River. The lower tag reads as:
LCDR M.D. BOUCHILLON
FLIGHT TEST
OCT 1970 - AUG 1972
Naval Air Station Patuxent River (IATA: NHK, ICAO: KNHK, FAA LID: NHK), also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River.
It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, the Atlantic Test Range, Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, and serves as a center for test and evaluation and systems acquisition relating to naval aviation. The station also operates a small outlying field, NOLF Webster.
Commissioned on April 1, 1943, on land largely acquired through eminent domain, the air station grew rapidly in response to World War II and continued to evolve through the Cold War to the present.
- 8 ½” x 9 ½” Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) Plaque: The plaque is in good condition with great colors and details. The only real “issue” is that the inverted orange “chevron” has come detached from the wood but could easily be resolved with some glue.
Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy, established on 30 June 1960. It is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Today, VP-30's mission is to provide Lockheed P-3C Orion and Boeing P-8A Poseidon specific training to Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, and enlisted Naval Aircrewman prior to reporting to the fleet. More than 650 staff personnel train over 800 officers and enlisted personnel annually, utilizing 10 P-3C and 10 P-8A aircraft. In addition to U.S. Navy enlisted, officer and NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps personnel, foreign military personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Spain, Argentina Thailand, Chile, and the Republic of Korea have all received specific aircrew and maintenance training on different variants of the P-3 at VP-30. In addition, military personnel from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand currently receive training from VP-30 on the P-8.
- U.S. Navy Marked Canvas Padded Rifle Case by Boyt: This example is in wonderful condition with clear markings retained. Measures approximately 47” in total length.
A wonderful grouping that comes more than ready for further research and display.
