Posted 9 years ago
elanski
(97 items)
Hello. My first post on here.
These three helmets represent the main changes in British helmet design over the last 100 years.
First one is a WW2 Mk2 Broadie helmet.
Invented by John Broadie this is probably the most famous British helmet and was first introduced in the first world war in 1915. It was the first steel helmet to be used by Britain and was also used by all the British Empire forces and the United States. After the war it was upgraded to the MK2 although the changes were minor and mainly to the liner and cushioning. This design continued in use up to and during the second world war and continued to be used by some regiments into the 1950s. Civilian versions were also made during the war for the fire service and Air raid wardens.
Second one is a Mk4. Korean war period helmet. (aka the Turtle helmet)
In 1944 a new helmet was designed for the Normandy landings. This was the Mk3 but quickly became known as the turtle helmet because of its shape. It was revised a year later to the Mk4 in 1945 with a clever new liner which can be easily removed so the helmet can be used to hold water. After the Mk4 came the Mk5 which featured only minor changes and this was used all the way through to the Falklands war. Finally being replaced in 1986.
Last one is a Mk6, Gulf war period. (aka Kevlar helmet)
This all new helmet was in fact made out of Ballistic Nylon fibre not kevlar, so I don't know why people call it that. Introduced in 1986 these completely replaced the old turtle helmets by the time of the Gulf war. They offered much better protection and allowed for a range of camouflage covers to be fitted depending on environment. A revision in 2005 to the Mk6a improved the ballistic protection and a new version the Mk7 in 2009 revised the shape at the back to allow the soldier to lie flat and shoot without the helmet digging into his body armour. These are the ones currently in use today
Great post. Would be happy to see more.
Thank you fortapache :)
I will try to add more from time to time. Looking forward to seeing all your interesting bits and pieces on here too.
Thanks brunswick
Welcome to CW:)
Great post, very informative!
I have my Grandma's Brodie helmet from WW2, she was a civilian fire warden. It's lost it's lining though. My son had fun wearing it to school earlier this year for their WW2 project.