Go here to see the whole fascinating process of turning a not very good helmet into a much more attractive, not very good helmet. It is interesting to note how extensively cyanoacrylate glue is used in this process. Also noteworthy is how this major military materiel refurbishment program utilizes such small shops.
The M74 is an ugly duckling of a helmet with a riddell suspension, velcro fastened two-point chinstrap, and a fiberglass shell with little ballistic value. The "upgrade" to these helmets has mostly been cosmetic.
Using cottage-labor, India has refurbished an entire army's-worth of helmets, extending the life of the aged M74 well into the 21st century.
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Well, that's amazing and fascinating. I had no idea this is what was going on with those helmets. I was familiar with the 'original' and the 'new' one but had no inkling that this was how one was turned into the other. I imagined they were two related types, rather than actual conversions. Absolutely revelatory, thanks Mannie for finding and posting all this.
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