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Last edited by GV2NIX on Sep 29, 2007 - 10:34 AM; edited 2 times in total

Hello, I'm trying to put together a full set of Viper driver gear. Here's what I have so far:

HGU-55/P with C/E visor (dark) - unissued condition
MBU-20/P - decent condition
PCU-15A/P - decent condition

And here is what I need:

SRU-21/P (Survival Vest)
CSU-13B/P (G-Pants)
CSU-17/P (G-Vest)
LPU-9/P (Life Preserver)

If anyone has any idea where I might be able to turn to buy this gear, I would really appreciate it. I would like to find them in unissued or close to unissued condition. I tried Flighthelmet.com and eBay, but was not able to accomplish my goal. I would like to know the easiest way to go about doing this.

None of it needs to be flight certified as I will not be using any of it. Although I love to fly, sadly, I will probably not be able to fly anything requiring the use of such equipment in this lifetime... I am collecting this gear because I admire it and the people who wear it.

If anyone has any information for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all in advance! Very Happy

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Newbie Joined: Sep 25, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Milwaukee

Try the "military surplus" section of www.sportsmansguide.com
I saw some speed jeans there a few months ago.

No luck, but thanks for the tip!

BTW you've got your g-suit/g-vest nomenclature reversed. You're also going to need a CRU-94/P Mask-to-Regulator connector

Woops, you're right, I'll edit the post, thanks Arctus!

Yeah, I'd like to have the connector too. If I can find one I would be very happy, but I haven't even seen one for sale yet whereas I've at least seen other items at least purportedly available for sale... Also, I was originally trying going to get the HGU-55/P(C/E) so that I could pair it with the MBU-23/P, but I couldn't find a CE model for sale. I would have to mod a non-CE helmet, and I didn't want to do that.

I'd also be willing to buy from anyone who happens to have the equipment and wants to sell it.

Anyone?

Well, if you are buying over the Internet be aware that the stuff may be stolen. See my thread "<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-9145.html">Hang 'em High</a>"

Best Regards,

Hmmm, I see, yeah, I would prefer to buy from individuals, preferably maybe people in this forum? But, I realize that it's going to be pretty rare that someone's going to want to part with their equipment, haha!

GV2NIX,
Much of the gear you seek is coded by the AF supply system so that it must be turned in once unserviceable, or it has to be De-mil'd or cut up--of course personal souveniers do slip through the cracks.

Your best bet is DRMO websites or making friends with the NYANG/NJANG since some of what you wat ends up in the dumpster, or go direct to the manufacturers (but then your talking big bucks).
Also, check pawn shops near AF bases--survival vests end up there fairly often.

The G-suit is going to be your toughest challenge--Life Support typically cannibalizes them for zippers and clips etc.

Good luck with this.

Arctus, thanks for the info, I really appreciate it! I guess this stuff is harder to get than I thought... I wish Flighthelmet hadn't gone unresponsive...

Hypothetically, suppose I wanted to buy directly from manufacturers, are they even allowed to sell to private collectors? And how much money are we talking about here? Several thousand for a g-suit?

The AF pays about $700 a copy for G-suits depending on size
G-vest about the same
Helmet $600 for basic shell/edgeroll--$900 with components
Mask $400
Visor $50
LPU-9/P $1,800

$1,800 for the LPU-9/P? Wow! Its unassuming looks house great value... $1,300 for speed jeans and a vest is expected. How about a CRU-94 regulator? (The MBU-20/P is used with a CRU-94? Not a CRU-60?)

Would I even be able to get this stuff from the manufacturer? I'm guessing they would have policies against people like me buying this equipment right? I know Gentex makes the helmet, mask, and regular, but who makes the g-pants, g-vest, harness, survival vest, and life preserver?

You will find a lot of good info in this really good thread.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopi ... art-0.html

F16VIPER, thanks! I bookmarked that thread about a year ago. There's a lot of good info in there, but I couldn't find everything I wanted.

Does anyone know who manufactuers the anti-g garments, harness, and life preserver?

Edit: Ok, I think Mills Manufacturing Corporation makes the harness, but I'm still not sure about the anti-g garments and life preserver.

The CSU-13B/P Anti-G Garment is manufactured by Derm Buro, in Florida & Mustang Survival in Bellevue, Washington, sorry but neither sell to public.

The LPU-9 is an antique!.. Standard is the new LPU-38/P manufactured by SIMULA, those run more than the LPU-9, they too, do not sell to the public. Once you have your horse collar, you need the zipper hardware to attach it to the PCU-15 harness & the FLU-9 inflator assembly, those are about as much as the dual chamber bladders & the nomex cover.

The PCU-15 is made by a bunch of companies, and guess what.. they dont sell to the public either.

The CRU-60/P & CRU-94/P are made by Gentex & i've seen some of each kicking around made by Scott MFG.

You need the FROST fittings made by KOCH& Sons, all the harnesses you'll buy will just be the assembly, all the hardware for your survival kit & leg & chest snaps are from a separate company.

You're going to dump a fortune in gear..

Try some of these links..

http://www.flighthelmet.de (go to the flightgear market place in the forums)

http://www. flighthelmet.com (email them, they reply to me daily, phone doesn't work)

I sent you a PM...

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Would like help finding Viper driver gear