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Author
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Topic: American Optical Original Pilot sunglasses
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Martin1264
Member Posts: 23
From: Easton, Connecticut, USA
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 05-19-2021 10:44 AM
   
I have a few questions about getting a pair of American Optical Original Pilot sunglasses.When they were issued by NASA to the flight crews, were they all the same size and color sunglasses? Were they all 52MM lenses and silver frames or did they use other size lenses and the gold frames as well? |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1998
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 05-19-2021 10:46 AM
I went by the remnants of what used to be AO in Southbridge, Massachusetts just yesterday. I used to sell them CNC machines. Now it's a DOD location.I've had a pair of AO sunglasses in the astronaut model for quite some time. They are gold frame. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 353
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-19-2021 01:49 PM
Glad American Optical is making the vintage models. Did the astronauts issued models have green lenses? |
David C
Member Posts: 1429
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 05-20-2021 07:49 AM
No, they were issued with the same glasses as service pilots of the period. Gold 52mm frames with gray glass lenses. The gray lens is "neutral color," whereas green alters colors, which is considered unacceptable for military aviation. AO produced the originals, and then later on Randolph got the contract, in 1982 I think. Unfortunately, in recent years, as these have become popular with civilians, both have seen fit to modify their glasses. The frames now have a manufacturer’s logo molded into the arms, and the lenses have the same painted/ printed on the outside. Nothing can be done about the arms (find a vintage pair of frames). The lens markings can be removed with cotton buds and non-acetone nail polish remover. Randolph are much more expensive, but their arm logos are less obvious. Actually, that last part may not be true anymore. It looks like AO have toned down their arm logos. |
Martin1264
Member Posts: 23
From: Easton, Connecticut, USA
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 05-20-2021 07:00 PM
Thank you for the information. I always wondered about the size and color. |
mmcmurrey
Member Posts: 184
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Jun 2012
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posted 05-21-2021 10:46 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
...whereas green alters colors, which is considered unacceptable for military aviation.
Your statement about "green/grey lenses is incorrect. I spent 21 years in USAF 1972-1993 and went through many AO issued sunglasses. They were all green tinted. Text on the AO glasses case is: SUNGLASSES HGU-4/P MIL-S-25948
IMPACT RESISTANT-NOT SAFETY GLASSES
AMERICAN OPTICAL CORP
DLA 100-79-C-2376 On the stems are stamped: 5 1/2 AO AMERICAN OPTICAL  |
drifting to the right
Member Posts: 164
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-22-2021 08:46 AM
Mine also appear similar to those pictured (Army aviation issue 1976) except that I opted for the grotesquely misnamed "comfort loops" legs. The Army had obtained a supply left over from the Spanish Inquisition, as these were useful in keeping aviators awake, though distracted, while in agony from the throbbing bolts inflicted against the backs of one's ears after an hour of wear under a flight helmet. |
mmcmurrey
Member Posts: 184
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Jun 2012
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posted 05-22-2021 09:21 AM
I certainly can relate to your discomfort as I recall initial fitting of flight helmets and the "hot spots" till you got the adjustments made! The straight stem arms were great for wear with the helmets. |
drifting to the right
Member Posts: 164
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-22-2021 09:47 AM
Oh yes, the "hot spots." Brings back memories. |
David C
Member Posts: 1429
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 05-22-2021 11:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mmcmurrey:
Your statement about "green/grey lenses is incorrect.
You’re dead right sir, how embarrassing. My experience dates from long after AO lost the contract. As for "comfort loops," hard to think of something worse named.A few other details: Size wise, the very earliest versions were quite small, with 4.5 inch temples and 49mm lenses. I think that's one of the things that got the weight down to win the competition. I can't be certain exactly what size each astronaut wore. They may have been different, e.g. Frank Borman was well known for having a physically large head. You’d have to measure the actual frames. In terms of manufacturers, AO (then long after Apollo, Randolph) were the prime contractors - other companies (such as General Optical) did produce military contract batches. The only way to be certain would be to read the frames. The best reference for what Apollo crews used is probably Chris Spain's site but even he doesn’t have all the information. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 353
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-22-2021 12:07 PM
Great conversation/info, thanks. Sun visors in most civilian cockpits are greenish as well. |
pupnik
Member Posts: 122
From: Maryland
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 05-22-2021 07:05 PM
Michael Collins' sunglasses were green lensed. Incidentally in the picture I'm almost certain the yellow earpieces and nose pieces is a result of age. They'd have been nearly clear when new. |
oly
Member Posts: 1465
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 05-22-2021 08:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by drifting to the right:
Oh yes, the "hot spots."
The thermo-formed helmet liners for flight helmets were heated in an oven to soften them before being applied to the crewmembers head and a helmet shaped weight added to complete the forming process.I know of one pilot who disliked wearing the skull cap and insisted that the helmet be formed without one. The oven temp was accidentally set high, and the result was red bubble wrap marks on the scalp for a week. Needless to say, a range of new nicknames evolved. This gave new meaning to hot spots. |
David C
Member Posts: 1429
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 05-22-2021 11:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MartinAir:
Sun visors in most civilian cockpits are greenish as well.
I think you’re over generalising. Some are, but all the Airbus types I’ve flown were amber, and the Boeings were gray. |
mmcmurrey
Member Posts: 184
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Jun 2012
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posted 05-23-2021 11:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by pupnik:
Incidentally in the picture I'm almost certain the yellow earpieces and nose pieces is a result of age.
You are correct on yellowish tint caused by aging and exposure to elements all those years. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 353
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-23-2021 11:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
Some are, but all the Airbus types I’ve flown were amber, and the Boeings were gray.
True, was mainly referring to a 737, which varies too. Polarized lenses are a no-go; wondering why they chose green/amber besides the neutral gray. Is there a reason? |
mmcmurrey
Member Posts: 184
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Jun 2012
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posted 05-24-2021 09:49 AM
These are issued AO glasses from the 70’s that I had in a box in original case. Never exposed to the elements. 
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Martin1264
Member Posts: 23
From: Easton, Connecticut, USA
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 05-27-2021 04:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mmcmurrey:
They were all green tinted.
Oh well.  I ordered and received them with the gray lenses. Thanks to all. Great information in this thread. quote:
Originally posted by drifting to the right:
Mine also appear similar to those pictured (Army aviation issue 1976) except that I opted for the grotesquely misnamed "comfort loops" legs...
Too funny... |
David C
Member Posts: 1429
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 07-18-2021 08:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
The lens markings can be removed with cotton buds and non-acetone nail polish remover.
Not any more they can’t. It seems AO are now etching their logo onto the lens. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 353
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-10-2022 11:32 AM
A few more questions: Are the AO Original Pilot lenses replaceable? Were the lenses in the AF/Navy/NASA issued AO sunglasses made of glass or polycarbonate/plastic? |
Philip
Member Posts: 6254
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 05-11-2022 04:13 AM
Straight ear bar glasses were used by all Armed Forces and one could get these with prescribed glasses. |
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