Dad used to tell me that the steel outer shell was quite useful. You could use it as a wash basin or a stool. And in a pinch you could cook in it.
The fiberglass helmet liner was helpful too. You could keep your personal stash of toilet paper tucked-above the webbing and it would stay dry under the rainiest of conditions.
The steel pot on the left is quite old - WWII or Korean War vintage.
The helmet on the right has cammo netting but a three-point chin strap - left, right and rear and a form-fitting leather-lined chin cup.
Airborne equipment?
Anybody know?
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I was among the last to wear the steel pot in basic training. We would wear only the liner in garrison and then put the steel pot part on when we went to the field. It was indeed for more useful than the kevlar. We had only the single strap without the leather chip cup, I suspect the three-point is the airborne version. We could also ever, never wear it with the chin strap unbuckled like John Wayne or any of the guys from the show COMBAT!, which I've rediscovered through the wonder of the DVR.
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation about buckling the chin strap.
ReplyDeleteDad always said they kept theirs unbuckled because if they were being shelled the helmet might 'capture' the up-draft of the concussion and if it was strapped on it might break your neck.