Steve Brodie
SMF Supporter
Finding colour images, references for the flying gear has proved a challenge, so i sent an email of the FAA Museum at Yeovilton, unfortunatley due to covid there is no one on site, they did send me a couple of stills though;
I stumbled across Navy-Net forum, so put the question in there and had some extremely helpful information back from users on this forum;
Bone dome - Dark Green, white reflective cross on back/top. Clips on side of helmet, metallic.
Visor Cover - Black
Life Presever - Dark Green, needed handle is black. DayGlo patch on rear of Life vest. Usually with a number as they are usually a pool item rather than individual issue.
O2 mask and hose black rubber. That said, I have seen grey O2 masks
Immersion / Goon Suit;
The goon suit is for flight over the sea. I have never seen a Nomex flight suit worn over the top of a 'Goon Suit' or Immersion coverall to give it it's correct title.
The goon suit is worn over survival clothing, thermals etc. Then any fixed wing apparel, anti G equipment. Mae West over all that!!
After Sharkey's time there were lightweight immersion suits introduced and these could be worn under the flying suit and, indeed, under the 'g' suit. However, in Sharkey's time the immersion suit was worn on top of whatever you were wearing underneath. In the Sea Harrier it was usual not to bother with a 'g' suit and immersion suit. The 'g' suit was normally saved for Summer, when the immersion suit was stored away but pockets were still required for incredibly useful stuff. SO, the immersion suit was green and the neck and wrist seals were black.
The oxygen mask is 'interesting'. The rubber hose should be black (in a Sea Harrier, not a T-bird). The plastic part of the oxygen mask should be black BUT the rubber, 'inner', part was normally green. HOWEVER, I think Sharkey may have one of the anti-skin complaint mask rubbers. It looks very light in the photo and these were available for people who could get rashes etc from the rubber. They were called medical masks because they were made from a different material. These were actually more of a light skin colour.
Helmet
Sharkey's helmet is a Mk 3C. These were a fairly short-lived interim between the 3B and 4A but there are significant differences between them, so it would be nice to get it right.
Noticed after priming the head, that their is a casting seam/defect on the back of the helmet;
so has been filled and will be sanded smooth;
The details on the bust Immersion suit match the reference details really well, including the pen holders and the zipper. Looks good put together;
I have also purchased this rare Revell 1/144 Sea Harrier model, and as you can see its quite small, but will be ideal for what i have in mind with the stand;
And the Squadron to also pin on the base;
I stumbled across Navy-Net forum, so put the question in there and had some extremely helpful information back from users on this forum;
Bone dome - Dark Green, white reflective cross on back/top. Clips on side of helmet, metallic.
Visor Cover - Black
Life Presever - Dark Green, needed handle is black. DayGlo patch on rear of Life vest. Usually with a number as they are usually a pool item rather than individual issue.
O2 mask and hose black rubber. That said, I have seen grey O2 masks
Immersion / Goon Suit;
The goon suit is for flight over the sea. I have never seen a Nomex flight suit worn over the top of a 'Goon Suit' or Immersion coverall to give it it's correct title.
The goon suit is worn over survival clothing, thermals etc. Then any fixed wing apparel, anti G equipment. Mae West over all that!!
After Sharkey's time there were lightweight immersion suits introduced and these could be worn under the flying suit and, indeed, under the 'g' suit. However, in Sharkey's time the immersion suit was worn on top of whatever you were wearing underneath. In the Sea Harrier it was usual not to bother with a 'g' suit and immersion suit. The 'g' suit was normally saved for Summer, when the immersion suit was stored away but pockets were still required for incredibly useful stuff. SO, the immersion suit was green and the neck and wrist seals were black.
The oxygen mask is 'interesting'. The rubber hose should be black (in a Sea Harrier, not a T-bird). The plastic part of the oxygen mask should be black BUT the rubber, 'inner', part was normally green. HOWEVER, I think Sharkey may have one of the anti-skin complaint mask rubbers. It looks very light in the photo and these were available for people who could get rashes etc from the rubber. They were called medical masks because they were made from a different material. These were actually more of a light skin colour.
Helmet
Sharkey's helmet is a Mk 3C. These were a fairly short-lived interim between the 3B and 4A but there are significant differences between them, so it would be nice to get it right.
Noticed after priming the head, that their is a casting seam/defect on the back of the helmet;
so has been filled and will be sanded smooth;
The details on the bust Immersion suit match the reference details really well, including the pen holders and the zipper. Looks good put together;
I have also purchased this rare Revell 1/144 Sea Harrier model, and as you can see its quite small, but will be ideal for what i have in mind with the stand;
And the Squadron to also pin on the base;
