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Post by rsm2ndbtnlf on Jun 11, 2008 20:48:05 GMT -8
Right chaps... Fall in... Eyes front... Listen in! Plastic.... terrible stuff, but I must agree.. it does have its use.. with the correct application. ''GET ON WITH IT!''...  OK!... I've come across a firm in the USA who produce an extensive range of plastic products, in question.... including the dearly loved British Tommies Battle Bowler... The Brodie. They make two versions = 0.60 & 0.90 gauge, both in Olive Drab... Green. Its only a thought, but I'm going to order the thinner model this weekend and see what the quality is like. At $16, its not going to break my wallet. A standard replacement repro liner and chinstrap will be required if the item is acceptable. I thought it could be kept for loaner kit, rather than giving out our authentic kit. That way, in the event that its not returned, although it will still be a loss to the unit... better plastic than an original period peace! Watch this space and I'll post a report when appropriate. Incidentally, our US allies may be able to make this work also! ATTENTION!... Carry on! Seph |
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qms
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Post by qms on Jun 19, 2008 17:49:05 GMT -8
When I saw the title to this thread, I thought someone was dealing in the WW2 'composite' helmets.
During the Blitz (or thereabouts), the Auxillery Fire Brigade (or possibly the 'regular' brigades)were issued with a helmet made of a composite material - a sort of primative GRP - in the same style as the service issue helmet.
These helmets are somewhat thicker than the metal equivalent (to give similar impact protection) but the composite gave a degree of protection against falling electrical cables etc.
Every composite helmet I've seen has been black.
Just my twopenn'orth.
Tom
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Post by rsm2ndbtnlf on Jun 19, 2008 19:44:15 GMT -8
Thanks Tom.... I've just learned something new! Didn't realise that the home emergency services were issued anything other than a steel bowler.
Do you have any comparisons to note?
Seph
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qms
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Post by qms on Jun 19, 2008 23:21:21 GMT -8
Hi Seph, To be honest, there's not a lot I can add. As I recall (and it's a good few years since I've seen one) the gelmets superficially resemble the standard steel helmet, but the skull is made from a composite which appears to be a phenolic, thermoset polymer (similar to 'Bakelite') impregnated into a natural mesh re-inforcement (it looked, IIRC, rather like 'Tailor's buckram'), with the outside surface left smooh and (again, working from a faulty memory), painted. The liner was similar to the standard helmet of the period. The above helmet was somewhat thicker than the standard steel helmet, but also no heavier. It's worth remembering that the 'Brodie' pattern helmet replaced the peace time 'Merryweather' brass helmet.  Sorry I can't be of more help. Tom |
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Jun 20, 2008 13:04:45 GMT -8
The only caveat I'll give here is that one of the GWHS safety rules is for all combatants to wear a helmet. While occassionally this is relaxed for night raids and the like, during the day it's mandatory because of the various flying objects. We'd like to take a look at these to make sure they're sturdy enough. Don't want anyone with bonked noggins...  |
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qms
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Post by qms on Jun 20, 2008 17:45:59 GMT -8
I suspect that it will depend on the nature of the plastic used.
If it's a thermoplastic, then I suspect that it will be impact resistant, but may be too flexible to be aethetically acceptible, if worn (thermoplastics are generally more flexible than thermosets). In addition, a thermoplastic will be deformed/damaged by heat.
If the material is (as I suspect) either a two part resin. or thermoset, fibre re-inforced plastic (GRP) then I would guess that it would prove more rigid, but also more brittle (although the re-inforcement would prevent shattering). Thermosets 'char' but do not melt with application of heat.
It's worth bearing in mind that the helmets are probably made for stage/film work and their protective qualities are not a factor.
Tom.
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Post by trooper1127 on Apr 1, 2009 16:30:55 GMT -8
I may be missing something here, but I personally do not want to see plastic anything in the trenches, least of all helmets! I do this to go "back in time" and relive the trench life experience. That I would see, or simply know of, troops out there wearing plastic helmets would, quite frankly, negate the enormous efforts we put into making the trenches real for us. And despite peoples' best intentions, you simply will see it at some point. Or you'll just know, which is almost as bad, IMO.
Far less visually offensive would be to go to a gunshow and get a few cheaper Brodie knock-offs used by the Dutch, Canadians, Belgians, Israelis, etc, up through the 1950s, swap out the chinstrap, and slap a coat of paint on 'em. At least they're real helmets, for goodness sake!
I'm not clear as to why the newbie wouldn't just draw a helmet from the unit on arrival, then turn it back in after the battle. Borrowing a helmet should be a one-battle situation... if the guy can't buy a helmet for himself in the six months preceeding the next battle, especially one as cheap and easily findable as a Brodie, then he needs to find another hobbie.
Here's one on ebay for under $11:
cgi.ebay.com/British-Made-Israeli-4-Six-Pointed-Stars-Helmet-Canteen_W0QQitemZ280327133183QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item280327133183&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
One for $10:
cgi.ebay.com/WWII-WW2-British-Tommy-Helmet-Army-1942-Painted-Star_W0QQitemZ270364358605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item270364358605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
Another one for $10:
cgi.ebay.com/WWII-Vintage-British-Helmet-Liner-and-Chin-Strap_W0QQitemZ270366775945QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item270366775945&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
ANOTHER one for $10:
cgi.ebay.com/Belguim-Steel-Helmet-M-49-complete-British-style_W0QQitemZ180342046880QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item180342046880&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
One for $13:
cgi.ebay.com/WWI-WW1-U-S-DOUGHBOY-British-STEEL-HELMET-w-LINER_W0QQitemZ140311038354QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item140311038354&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
So, unlike the German helmets, one really can't say cost is a factor in finding Brodie-style helms. And I'm not sure what would be gained by using plastic helmets as compared to what would be lost for the hobby as a whole (reputation with the GWA, Euro-clubs, etc.)
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Post by rsm2ndbtnlf on Apr 1, 2009 17:05:50 GMT -8
Don't worry Gil.. at the time it was only a thought, and only lasted about two days. I must have been having hot flushes when I started this thread  Anyway, I got in touch with a couple of chaps in the UK who had bought them for their kids, and they said thats exactly where they should stay.. with the kids. I'm totally against any form of plastics.. including the Bakerlite of WW2 reenactments! My sincere appologies to anyone with whom I raised hackles with on this topic... so may I request that one of the moderators close this thread? Adam.. would you do the honours please? Seph |
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Apr 4, 2009 17:11:06 GMT -8
Thread closed.
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