USMC M-450-1 Flight Helmet VMSB-231 “Ace of Spades”
M450-1 Flight helmet – Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 231 “Ace of Spades”! During World War 2 VMSB-231 is best known for its participation in the battle of Guadalcanal and the Marshall Islands campaign. It is still active today as Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231). During WW2 the squadron was mainly equipped with Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, for a short period in 1944 the squadron was redesignated VMBF-231 and converted to the F4U Corsair fighter. On December 30th 1944, it reverted to the name VMSB-231. I think by this time the squadron also used the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
Flight helmet & Flight goggles
Telephonics Corporation Type TH 37 earphones
AN6530 Flight Goggles with green lenses
VMSB 231 marking on the inside
Finding a somewhat OK display head was an unexpected challenge 😯 Most heads are very small, crap quality & insanely ugly… still on the hunt for something really nice.
On to some VMSB-231 & VMA-231 photos. Douglas SBD-5
Douglas SBD-6 with mission markings for 85 bombing missions
“Ace of Spades”
Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231)
M1 Pencil 
Great find, though it looks like the lead for the jack has been cut off. VMA-231 was stationed at Cherry Point during the’70s and’80s flying AV-8s. Distinct possibility that I worked them as a FAC with the 2nd MARDIV. Semper Fi.
Yes it has been cut off unfortunately 😦
Hey m1! I know this has nothing to do with the post that you made but i just want to say your page has been a big inspiration for my USMC impression. It’s still not close to being finished but it’s getting there! I just wish you the best of luck and hope you have to time to post again!
Thank you! 🙂
Cool! Stumbled on link, my Uncle Ted Stepien was tailgunner in VMSB 231 in 44-45. Wish I still had his jacket and bring backs. Sadly my cousin who passed away had them last and they’ve disappeared. I recall once in 1970s and being a fan of TV show about VMF214 my Uncle brought out his flight jacket to show me. At least I still have a picture of him in it!