The AN-H-15 helmet was introduced as the standard summer or light weight for the Army Air Force and Navy on April 23, 1943. It served as the replacement for the Type A-9 flying helmet. It was the first flying helmet designed under the joint Army/Navy procurement program.
This helmet was worn in civilian service by Robert R. Harris during world record altitude flight in NASM Grob 102 Standard Astir III sailplane that occured on February 17, 1986.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
United States of America
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear
Bates Shoe Co.
United States Army Air Force Type AN-H-15 Summer flying helmet; khaki cotton helmet; black rubber earphones with Western Electric Type ANB-H-1 Receiver; brown rubberized cotton insulated patch cord from each headphone with red plastic platch plug; chamois padding on the inside of the earphones; cow hide chin strap with chamois chin pad; brass hooks for oxygen mask; chin strap buckle and four snaps on left side of helmet attached to cow hide reinforcing strip; two snaps and oxygen mask hook attached to reinforcing cow hide strip; Manufacturer's tag with embroidered gold lettering sewn in back inside of helmet (see marks for full text).
Clothing: 17.8 x 20.3 x 22.9cm (7 x 8 x 9 in.)
Cotton canvas, Nylon, Natural Rubber, Leather, Steel, Brass, Plastic, Foam, Chamois, Elastic, Copper, Paint
A19970467000
Donated by Robert Harris and Susan Rothermund
National Air and Space Museum
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