Peoples Republic of China GK 80/A Steel Helmet (arny)

More from Red China:


Behold the helmet that finally established the institutional identity of the Red Army, the home-grown GK 80/A.

One of the things that makes Red China so slaphappy these days is its very long and very sad history of being the jailhouse bride to a passing parade of occupying thugs and bullies. After years of this degradation, a dazed (but still very much in love) Red China has stepped up to assert itself as a first-tier dictatorship among the greater community of third-rate nations, thugs and bullies. Full-circle! group hug!

Eschewing the trappings of centuries of colonial or outside influence, the Peoples Republic was happy to discard the Soviet Ssh40 steel helmet which characterized its participation during the Korean War (and other hot spots of the Cold War), for their very own, motherland-produced steel GK 80/A.


This Chinese manufactured helmet is simple, strong, asymmetrical, and ironically very similar the the M30-32 helmet of the Japanese forces that spent so much time in China doing all of those unspeakably nasty things that they (the Japanese) can't seem to remember to have happened at all... oh look over there...it's Hello Kitty!

A testimonial to "form follows function" his helmet is mighty plain, design is not it's strong suit. But when you've got six hundred god-zillion troops to outfit; ease of production, speed of manufacture, and economical materials tend to drive the program.


The shell is simple and straightforward, with a slight upward tilt to the raw rim running forward ending in a very modest visor. Nice depth to the shell, you can protect a lot of head with this helmet.



The profile of the rear skirt really brings to mind that Japanese number from the dark days.


From the top this helmet has a distinct ovoid shape, narrowing at the front.


Marzetti notes that the liner is "odd but simple", and goes on to say that it is quite comfortable. This is a simple liner, almost to the point of being elegant. I like it very much.


Using mostly cotton web, the suspension is very similar to the American M1 of WWII days. The band is a strip of vinyl backed with a soft rubber shock absorber. The space between the shell and the wearer's head is about three quarters of an inch, again similar to the American M1.


Adjustment is easy with a buckle in the rear...


and a tie at the top, an obvious copy of the M1 system, embracing the foreign to further the revolution.


The Y-yoke chinstrap does not unfasten but is completely adjustable with a cam-style buckle.


Chinese-style "A" washers and rivets connect the suspension to the shell, and this reveals a weakness in this steel plain Jane...


those eight rivets communicate to the outside of the shell where they are machined flat, hard for the eye to detect but weak points ballistically.


The few storage scuffs on this otherwise "unissued" looking helmet indicate how very thin the olive green finish is. Fortunately the ballistic value of paint is negligible.


The only confection that came with this very proletarian helmet was the heavily enameled (and somewhat chubby looking) commie star on the front, affixed with some sort of Epoxy. Otherwise the helmet is free of any makers or inspection marks of any sort, all glory going to the people, and the chairman, I suppose.

Representing the last generation of the venerable steel helmet this example is a nice first stab by China at establishing a unique look for its forces and restoring some self-esteem for its National Psyche.


Overheard exchange:
Red Guard: China is not imperialistic!
Gunboater: Want ta bet?



provenance:
accession number: MOA hmar.46.17.13
Peoples Republic of China GK 80/A helmet.
Acquired 1984, Lansing Michigan.
Purchase price :$50.00
Condition: excellent/unissued

Republic of China (Taiwan) M1 Steel Helmet

“I had never expected that the China initiative would come to fruition in the form of a Ping-Pong team.”
Richard M. Nixon



Well, yeah, that, and throwing over Nationalist China in favor of cheap crap with which to stock Wal-Mars.



The helmet is a straightforward copy of the good old US M1. The backstory, however, is a sordid saga of the United States unwisely propping up the wrong side - to the hilt - and then turning its back on that marionette of a partner, no, I'm not talking about Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, or Panama, or...gosh, we seem to have a long history of that sort of thing...No I'm talking about Taiwan...You know...the GOOD China!



Here's a graphic to help put things into perspective:


The good China is on the island of Formosa, known as Taiwan, or ,until recently "Nationalist China". It was established shortly after World War two by this guy:Warlord Chiang Kai Check, a brutal anti-commie, anti-Japanese, bully who fled with his makeshift Nationalist "government" to the island where he enjoyed the fawning support of the free world and was held up as a shining example of courage against the Reds and their "Bamboo Curtain".


Lots of American surplus military hardware started flowing into Taiwan -
the full roster of cool hardware:

surplus tanks,







really nice destroyers,







retro jets,






This hardware also Included the always fashionable and effective U.S. M1 helmet. What better way to signify a link of common democratic values than to eqip your barefoot soldiers with the steelpot of the American G.I.?

Eventually manufactured in South Korea, (our other "bastion against Communism" buddy over there), this M1 clone varied little from the venerable U.S. M1

From the front this clone has the typical "Willie and Joe" look of the M1. Subtle Differences become apparent under closer scrutiny (we'll get there).




The top view also presents no surprises, the ovoid shape is distinctly M1.




Our first glimpse of non US manufacture comes with the liner. Neither fiber nor composite, this liner is some sort of heavy vinyl or perhaps ABS through and through. The suspension and rigging configuration is straight out of the final generation US M1 of the 1980s.




The non-reflective surface treatment relies on silica sand in the olive paint. You can do your nails with this pot!




Tricked out in its Nationalist Chinese livery the liner profile is again, distinctly M1 of the 1980s.




Both the shell and the liner are completely without any dates, numbers, or makers marks. Only one label, left tantalizingly blank, appears underneath the suspension webbing.

And now, for the gory details:




The swivel bail as well as the chinstrap and chinstrap fastener begin to reveal the cheapness and lack of finish of this helmet compared to the US version. Metals are lighter, spot welds are cruder, placement is somewhat slipshod, and there are lots of rough or sharp edges on the metal. The chinstrap webbing is also very light and cheap feeling.




In close-up the rear rim joint reveals the lack of polish to this helmet. from the heavy handed spot welding to the misaligned and often wavy rim component, this helmet would not have passed muster for service with US forces.


Similarly, the chinstrap fastening hardware, although, identical in appeareance to the US version is rough, cheap, and poorly finished (remarks often directed toward me by an ex in-law).



Hats off! to a fine effort to bring a little G.I. to the forces of non-communist, non-mainland, and (possibly) non-viable Nationalist China.


Needless to say that as time, fashion, and politics have passed and matured,the United States no longer seems to remember knowing Taiwan, let alone going to the prom with her, and now the US seeks a much more sensible and lucrative (for China) relationship with mainland China, that is, the Peoples Republic, formerly known as "the bad guys".

Now, as far as American foreign policy is concerned, this is how we'd prefer to think of the country formerly known as Nationalist China, its "happy hour" a thing of the past:







Part of me feels hopeful that one day America will again turn her favor toward the best little buddy it ever had, that island beacon of ...well certainly not democracy...but certainly anti communism, the tiny giant -

Taiwan.




My China Syndrome is now at an end. It is once again safe to leave your shelters. Thank you for your cooperation.


See you next time with another cool helmet from the collection.


Mannie

Republic of China (Taiwan) Military Police helmet

What never ceases to amaze me is the global influence of the US M1 helmet and it's corresponding liner.  That classic design was around for the better portion of the twentieth century and still turns up here and there on active duty.

This entry's M1 sighting is from the island nation of Taiwan, or Formosa, or Nationalist China, or whatever we are calling Chiang Kai Check's island hideaway these days.  In an earlier post about the Nationalist Chinese combat M1 I've went on about Taiwan being one of the cast-off former girlfriends of  big broad-shouldered, and utterly fickle, the United States.  Once upon a time we viewed Nationalist China as a tiny (itty-bitty) bulwark against Communist China ("Red China, I'm still happy to call it, though it is alternatively known as "Wal-mart east"). 

 Today our national memory is pretty blank as to why we ever went out with that girl in the first place.  Watch out Turkey, we're like that!  except, of course in the case of our permanent dance partner - Israel ("what do those two see in each other?").

Taiwan, remains today, an odd man out, always on the brink of having Mainland China swallowing it up with it's lunchtime noodles.  So let's enjoy a really attractive Nationalist Chinese Military Police helmet in the few moments left to it.  (read fast)

What a beauty, especially in the sunshine of this far-eastern quasi democracy.  This stunning Chinese knock-off of the good old M1 is a real standout in my collection and I'm very happy to have acquired it recently from a friend and fellow collector in Europe who gave me an incredibly generous deal on it, for which I am forever grateful to him.

Here's the helmet in action as Nationalist Chinese MPs practice presenting their chrome-plated WWII-era M1 Garands  to the invading Red hoards. Their expressions do look a little doubtful, don't they?

Though the lines are identical to the M1 liner, the absence of external rivets is the first indication that this lid does have some differences to it's Yankee uncle.

"Help, I'm being held prisoner in a Chinese helmet factory"  Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I'm struck by how clean this helmet is, I suspect it is unissued.

The right side is insignia-free

This has to be one of the most handsome poly-chromatic helmet insignias out there.

The only marking of any sort  that I could find is this very mundane letter/number combination.

The interior has a particularly sterile and anonymous design,  the fact that this lid appears unworn by anyone accentuates that sterility.

Nylon and plastic abound.  The nylon chinstrap is adjustable by the plastic buckle slider.   The sole piece of natural fiber is in the cord that holds the suspension together.  

The leather-look headband is plastic as well.

Generally speaking this well-designed helmet has an interior suspension that could pass for a construction hard hat.

That's not a scratch in  the rear surface, its the reflection of my tripod.

These non-ballistic plastic helmets seem to be reflective of a society where the military, and its police are generally unchallenged...

 

save for balloon-wielding crazies.

 I have to wonder if there was a corresponding M1 steel helmet for Nationalist Chinese MPs prior to the advent the ballistic fiber helmets of today.

The only example I have of a metal  helmet for Chinese Military Police is the one below, though his shoulder insignia may indicate that he's a commie.

(vroooom)

Looking very much like plastic toy soldiers, this group of MPs  appears to be part of a spontaneous "flash-mob" demonstration.  I'm quite sure that they were dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

Still my favorite photo of a Taiwanese MP.  So plump, jolly. and adorable - now just another ex-girlfriend we're embarrassed to bump into at the mall.  

Ainsi est amour

See you next time with another MP helmet from the collection.

Mannie

Interiors - an artist's view of helmets

The eye of the beholder

What an interesting subject for fine art as well as a unique perspective on helmets.  The artist's statement below makes one rethink the preconceptions we bring to the exterior of a helmet; good-guy or bad-guy oppressor or liberator.  Very interesting stuff.


Top to bottom it appears we have a British MkII sans liner, a Spanish M26, and a German fire helmet without the leather neck protector.

I like it

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

Veronica Keith 

Artist Statement on my helmet paintings 

At the present time I am exploring historical helmets. As an object it can assist in identifying authority 

or individuals belonging to various factions. Designed to be ornate or simple, all helmets attempt to 

protect the user. When I paint the helmets I present them positioned showing the inside, displaying the 

crucial surroundings that offers protection to the brain. By not painting the exterior of the helmet, this 

removes the     viewer's ability to readily identifying it. This ambiguity shifts the focus, opening the 

viewer's perception towards it. Taking away what is most easily recognizable about a helmet - in this 

case its' exterior form, allows for the viewer to approach the image without any preconceived notions. 

In 2008 I graduated from a three year Diploma in Fine Arts at the Ottawa School of Art. In which my 

final year I received the Community Foundation of Ottawa Scholarship in recognition of artistic 

achievement. I have continued to work, exhibiting my artwork in my community in such local venues 

as the Shenkman Art Centre.

For more of Veronica's work go to: http://www.veronicakeith.webs.com/