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Own a Piece of AvGeek History: John Glenn's Helmet Is up for Auction

May 30, 2018
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2 min read
John Glenn in F-8 Cockpit
Own a Piece of AvGeek History: John Glenn's Helmet Is up for Auction
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Holding several superlatives in the field of travel, John Glenn is an icon to AvGeeks worldwide. Today, the helmet he wore from his famous transcontinental "Project Bullet" flight back in 1957 is going up for auction. The starting price? A casual $100,000.

Project Bullet was the nickname Glenn gave to his historic flight when he became the first pilot to make a supersonic transcontinental flight from Los Alamitos Naval Air Station in California to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. He broke speed records of his time and traveled faster than (you guessed it) a bullet, arriving in New York in under 3.5 hours, in a Vought F8U Crusader fighter jet.

One the side of the helmet lies his name "J.H. Glenn" in gold font.

Besides his historic Project Bullet flight, the late Glenn also was a US senator, the oldest person to fly in space at age 77 and the first American to ever orbit the Earth – in fact, he orbited the Earth three times in that mission.

Although one-of-a-kind, TPG can't help add this piece of aviation history as an honorable mention to our Father's Day gift ideas. Besides, isn't your travel-savvy dad worth the big bucks?

The helmet hits the auction block Thursday. It will be put under the gavel by Nate D. Sanders Auctions.

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H/T: AP

Featured image by Bettmann Archive

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