October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
APH-5 Flight Helmet Signed “Neil Armstrong.” Shows wear. This helmet could have been owned and worn by Neil Armstrong who was a test pilot for seven years, from 1955 until he was selected as an astronaut in 1962. He flew the early models of such jet aircraft as the F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-5D, and B-47. He was also a pilot of the X-1B rocket plane, a later version of the first plane that broke through the sound barrier, and the X-15 rocket-engine plane.
The APH-5 Flight Helmet was introduced in the late 1950s as a replacement for the U.S. Navy H-4 series for use on fast jets. With the appearance of the newest APH-6 in the early 1960s, the APH-5 was phased out. While there is no definitive proof that this was Armstrong’s own helmet, the likelihood of it being anything else seems remote.
This APH-5 flight helmet has been restored to its former gloss by Flight Helmet LLC in Maryland, and includes a high altitude mask etc. The original APH-5 flight helmet, before restoration, is pictured on the accompanying Zarelli Space Authentication Letter of Authenticity which also pictures a close-up of the signature. Comes with letter of authenticity from University Archives.