May 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, May 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2018
John Glenn's helmet worn during Project Bullet - so named by Glenn because, as he said, he flew faster than a .45-caliber pistol on 16 July 1957 as he broke the sound barrier and completed the first supersonic transcontinental flight. Clocking in at 3 hrs., 23 mins., and 8.4 seconds from California to New York City, Project Bullet made Glenn a household name and set him up to be selected for Project Mercury the following year as the space race officially commenced with the creation of NASA. In fact, during the cross-country trip, people on the ground underneath Glenn's flight path heard a noise that rattled windows, the sonic boom created from supersonic flight as Glenn sped by, making history.
Helmet was given by Glenn to fellow Mercury 7 astronaut Scott Carpenter. The markings on the helmet exactly match photographs of Glenn from Project Bullet, including a leaf shaped marking on the left side above the visor. Gold helmet is printed with Naval wings above the visor and reads "Navy", as Glenn flew as a U.S. Naval Test Pilot during the mission. Glenn's name, "J.H. GLENN" is written in pen to the right side. Visor retracts up and down by a circular control, and an electrical cord manufactured by Permoflux attaches to left side. Helmet measures approximately 10.5" tall x 9.5" wide. Some degradation to the latex cushion in the interior of the helmet, and dings to the exterior, though with no significant defects. A stunning helmet, reminding why Glenn was chosen as one of the Mercury 7. With an LOA from Scott Carpenter's son.
John Glenn's U.S. Navy Helmet Worn During Project Bullet -- The First Supersonic Transcontinental Flight Dubbed ''Faster Than a Bullet'' That Made Glenn a Celebrity & Led to His Selection in Mercury 7
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