Soviet tank crewman's helmet: Cold War era

Third in a series of tank helmet posts

This post is to celebrate Russia's Euro 2008 soccer victory over Sweden (2-0) last week in Innsbruck, Austria.

In an uncharacteristic demonstration of restraint the Russians chose not to rape three quarters of the population.

"How nice, for a change" remarked an elderly Austrian woman who remembered the Russki victory romp of 1945.

Here then, is that marvel of fabric and horsehair; the summer tankman's helmet of the 1970s.

But first a glimpse at some propaganda pix of the Reds in Berlin in 1945.  Check out the classic Soviet tank helmets. 

Am I the only one who finds this picture disturbing?

I think these commie tankers have more than liberation on their ferret-like little minds.  

This Soviet tanker's helmet from 1974 is little changed from the days of WWII when the Red Juggernaut was rumbling toward Berlin.   

Unlike the fiber, leather, and metal AFV helmets of many other nations of the same era, this number is strictly fabric.  Now I don't know from personal experience,  but the strategically placed bumpers seem like they would provide somewhat inadequate protection  inside a jolting armored fighting vehicle.

If any readers have personal experience with this helmet I'd love to hear about it, that is if you're still with me after that "ferret-like little mind" crack.

The classic profile, with neck flap up.

Here the neck flap is in the down position.  The purpose of this flap is not known to me. Perhaps it prevents dust and grime from getting down the back of the tankers neck.

When properly adjusted this helmet is quite comfortable.

This adjustable strap across the dome allows the wearer the ability to customize the fit of the helmet.

Markings are abundant, crisp, and colorful.

These markings provide this non-Russian speaker with minimal information, however they do nicely nail down the date of manufacture - 1974, height of the Cold War, back when I was doing my bit to thwart the evil designs of the Red Menace.

                     Me against them - 1972.

Access to the rubber headphone cups is provided through hidden slash pockets.

Another adjustment strap located under the flap allows for a snug fit below the nape of the neck.

The use of leather is minimal in this economical helmet, only at the brow...

surrounding the earphones...

and on the short chin strap.

Integral fabric loops control and guide the headphone cables.

Only one nice piece of confection graces the front bumper pad of this otherwise proletarian helmet.

Our brave young tanker contemplates past Red Army victories against the fascists and dreams of future successes against...the Afgans?


до свидания и удача мои друзья

provenance:
accession number: MOA hmar.v2.238.62.20
Helmet - Tank Crewman's Helmet, Soviet Union
Acquired 2005, ebay purchase
Purchase price :$4.50
Condition: excellent

Next Monday, another tanker helmet.

USA, Combat Vehicle Crewman's helmet - Vietnam

second in a series of twelve

I saw this scrawled on more than one barrack wall:

As I slide down the long bannister of life I'll always remember Vietnam as a long splinter in my ass.

The Helmet

The non-ballistic CVC helmet was a lightly padded crash helmet for wear inside all US armored fighting vehicles during the Vietnam era.  This specimen, manufactured by Sierra Engineering in 1966, mounts integrated send/receive electronics emblematic of the advances of radio and intercom communications in the post WWII era.


The exterior draw string allows the wearer to snug up the earphone cup allowing a better fit.

This side view affords a good view of the boom microphone as well as the send/receive switch box.

This helmet provided very good overall head protection for the bumps and jars typical of AFV living.

The Suspension



The CVC suspension has components similar to the M1 liner.


The OD webbing, "A" washers, and adjustment buckles are typical of the M1, although this suspension is configured quite differently than that of the M1 liner.


Unlike the M1, the CVC leather sweatband is only a partial affair, contacting merely the forehead of the wearer.  Also note the 1/4 inch thick sponge rubber padding which lines the entire dome of the helmet.

The manufacturer's label, sewn into the rear of the head band, is very crisp and provides quite a bit of information.  This particular helmet was manufactured in 1966, back when many Americans still thought the war was "winnable".  Funny, the Vietnamese were thinking the exact same thing.

The electronics




The Roanwell Corporation, manufacturer of the CVC electronics, is still going strong.  Click here for their website.



The individual earphones are comfortable and heavily padded to provide maximum acoustic insulation inside the noisy environment of the armored vehicle.


Both earphones snap in and out of the shell, for ease of replacement.

The articulated boom on the microphone is remarkably adjustable and engineered for durability.


Close up of the microphone.  "Basher one, requesting sit-rep on the beach party question, over"

By the way, the GIs in the photos are off an armor website, these aren't guys I served with... I had my own problems.

All in all a fine piece of protective gear, much better engineered than MacNamara's exit strategy. 

provenance:
accession number: MOA harmold1.279
Helmet - Crash Vehicle Crewman
Acquired 1979, Lansing Michigan.
Purchase price :$20.00
Condition: excellent

Next Monday, another tanker helmet.

Canadian armored crewman helmet of World War Two

Thus begins a series of eleven or twelve posts profiling the various Armored Crewman and tanker helmets in my collection.

I begin with an early one, the name of which I'm not even certain. Paolo Marzetti, in his masterwork Combat Helmets of the World(1996, p. 222) lists this example: Helmet, Crash, Royal Tank Corps, 1936, going on to note that it was manufactured in England. Here, is the translated text of the same helmet from the 1984 edition:

Helmet in fiber that constitutes the development of the models precedence for tank crewmen
and conductors of Bren Carrier. It has a various design, because and of Canadian construction.

This then, is the identical Canadian twin of the British version. I don't know where in Canada this one was manufactured or by which company, nor do I know the Canadian nomenclature of this particular helmet.

Here is where you, dear reader, can assist me. Any pertinent information you may have about this  Canadian helmet I would welcome in the form of comments (see the bottom of this post). Until then you must settle for my meager information and a multitude of photos taken of the one in my collection.

----------------ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE----------------
Mannie
It's called a Helmet Crash Tank Battalion, its a copy of the British
Helmet Crash Royal Tank Regiment. 11,500 were made by Saftey Supply
Co.of Toronto, between 1940 and 1943. They were not, in fact cheap as
they were made of cork and cost $7.50 each to manufacture. They
remained in service until 1966. For more details, Canadian Combat
Helmets. See pages 30 and 31 of my book Tin Lids, It's presntly out of
print, but I am sure if you looked on ebay or ABE books you would find
a copy.
Roger

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Roger, for that timely chunk of intelligence,  ain't the internet grand? The book referenced above is:
Tin Lids: Canadian Combat Helmets by Roger V. Lucy.  Click here for ordering information.

Front view of this pulp-based helmet. This is a neat little number to accomodate the uncomfortable, head-banging ride afforded by the interior of an armored veichicle with all of its sharp edges, hard surfaces and jutting fixtures. Made of a cork shell covered in painted cotton duck with an ample padded bumper on the front, the wearer's noggin would find plenty of protection in this simple, and effective helmet.

Top view shows the six equal gores of fabric covering the pulp shell, the three rubber-bumper armored ventilation holes, and the front brow bumper.

The web suspension is simple and somewhat similar to the US M1. The headphones are supported in a separate flannel faced, leather yoke that fits snugly, though adjustably,

around the wearer's head.


Close-up of headphone through the apature in the yoke. The flannel actually makes this thing relatively comfy.


Both earpieces are held in place with a simple and ingenious gathered "poke sack" style tightened with a drawstring.


The yoke is fastened to the shell with two buttons positioned in the forward quadrant of the shell, allowing the yoke to "float" somewhat independently from the shell while remaining snugly in place on the wearer's head.



Close-ups of the headphone jack. I'm not certain if these are original to the helmet as Sonetronics is a USA rather than a Canadian company.


Is it just me, or does the chinstrap bring to mind certain aspects of ladies lingerie? I'm just asking.


There we go; the good old Canadian version of the King's Broad Arrow, stamped right on the leather sweatband along with...


this piece of information. Unfortunately, there are no makers marks of any sort that I can find. Again readers, any information you can supply would be greatly appreciated.


The helmet shell and yoke indicate two different sizes, I wonder if this was a way to provide more of a custom fit for the wearer?


Hand stitching penetrates materials that even industrial sewing machines aren't able to.

All in all,  this very lightweight helmet is quite comfortable and seems able to provide considerable protection for the armored vehicle crewman. Like all of the "tanker" helmets of the era this one possess no ballistic protection whatsoever and is strictly for crainial protection against the rigorously uncomfortable life of an armored vehicle crewman.


And, like all things Canadian...







I like it!

provenance:
accession number: MOA hmarv1.176.20.33
Helmet - Crash, Tank Battalion
Acquired 1990, Grand Rapids Michigan.
Purchase price :$20.00
Condition: excellent