The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $25,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.
Did you know that Jon Lindbergh, son of the famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, was also a pioneer in deep-sea diving? In the mid-1960s, alongside Pat Hammar, he co-designed an advanced mixed-gas diving helmet. This creation, renowned as one of the most visually distinctive and mechanically unique helmets ever produced, aimed to significantly extend the depths at which divers could safely operate.
The design process for the Lindbergh-Hammar helmet began with a standard Japanese model as a base. Lindbergh and Hammar then modified it, incorporating the necessary features to create a functional helium recirculator system. This resulted in an impressive final design, distinguished by a large canister integrated into the rear of the bonnet.
It's speculated that Lindbergh and Hammar collaborated on this helmet with the goal of securing a government contract. Jon Lindbergh's influential name, combined with his recognized expertise in advancing deep-sea working capabilities, would have significantly bolstered such an effort.
For the very first time, Nation’s Attic has the distinct honor of offering this Lindbergh-Hammar helmet. While clearly utilized, this example is exceptionally well-preserved and retains its original configuration. A few minor imperfections on the bonnet attest to its history but are superficial.
Crucially, the helmet features its full complement of specialized components: communications block and cup, rear canister, ScubaPro regulator, gas control valve, air control valve, Plexiglas ports, original brails, wing nuts, neck ring gasket, internal air vents, exhaust chin button, threaded safety bolt, and WWII BTE exhaust valve.
A key characteristic of known Lindbergh & Hammar helmets is the absence of their own branding, further evidenced by the removal of original breastplate ID plates. The helmet's style, coupled with the telltale outline of an oval ID plate, strongly indicates an origin with TOA in Japan. While some examples are stamped with a serial number, this one remains unnumbered.
Jon Lindbergh's life was marked by significant historical involvement. Although his venture into helium diving helmet design was short-lived, the handful of remaining examples serve as enduring reminders of his profound accomplishments and contributions to extreme depth diving.
With an estimated production of fewer than ten units, and even fewer surviving to the present day, the Lindbergh / Hammar helmet was ultimately overshadowed by competition from R. Kirby, Yokohama, and later DESCO. As a result, this singular piece of helium diving technology became a true rarity, now deserving of prominence in any leading collection or museum globally.
The display stand shown in the photos is available at a discounted price with the purchase of this helmet.
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $25,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.
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$26,260.00Price
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