jfairclo Posted June 17, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 17, 2014 Hey guys I recently purchased an eighth air force grouping, it is not in hand yet, and I had a question about bombardier's headgear. The grouping is from a gentleman who was a bombardier on B-24s in the eighth. It comes with two g.i m1 helmets... one a fixed bail and one a para... both with his name inside. Would these have been worn inside the aircraft? I assume not. Thanks, JCF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 17, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 17, 2014 Probably from training Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted June 17, 2014 That's what I was thinking too maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 17, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 17, 2014 In the early days of the ETO bombing campaign, numbers of modified M1 shells were used for ballistic protection over flying helmets. These are very rarely found today and are consequently very expensive. These gave way to dedicated flak helmets like the M3, M4 and M5. If you have a pair of regular GI helmets, then as Manay suggests, they are probably stateside issue. You say one is a "para"....?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 17, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 17, 2014 I had a steel pot from a B-24 ball turret gunner. He told me that he keep it after basic. It's posted here someplace. What kind of para helmet ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
501stGeronimo Posted June 17, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 17, 2014 I have some photos in my archives somewhere that shows them wearing a M1 while flying on top of their A-11 in which the airman took the liner out, there was also a M1 modified for wear over the A-11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 17, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 17, 2014 M3 flak helmet, based on the M1 shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 17, 2014 It's a regular m1-c swivel bail.. I wish I had some good pictures of it to show you guys... but I will in due time... it is being shipped. Here is the link. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/27390301_us-wwii-estate-lot-helmet-medals-8th-af. I am now having to sell about half of my collection that I have accumulated over the years because of it, hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted June 17, 2014 So, do you guy's think he only wore these in basic... ans why the para? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted June 18, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 18, 2014 JCF, When the sweatband is removed from the liner (or the liner is not used), it is easy to fit a standard M1 helmet over the early B-6 or A-9 flight helmets, even when earphone cups are installed. This was a common practice before dedicated "flak" helmets, such as the M3, were available. A good example is seen in the original wartime color documentary "Memphis Belle". Here is a B-17 bombardier doing the same. Regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted June 18, 2014 Wow, thank you for the picture! When were the first flak helmets fielded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted June 18, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 18, 2014 Watch the documentary on the Memphis Belle. Robert Morgan is wearing his M-1 backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted June 18, 2014 I just watched it... I didn't notice him wearing it backwards, haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 18, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 18, 2014 M3 flak helmet, as worn, c.'43. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 18, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 18, 2014 M4A2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 18, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 18, 2014 M5, circa '45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 18, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 18, 2014 Here's an example of a modified M1 shell which I photographed at the American Air Museum at Duxford. As you can see, the sides have been beaten out in order to fit over the receivers and the chinstrap bails have been re-positioned accordingly. There were a number of variations on this theme as they were made at unit level until the M3 dedicated flak helmet was introduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfairclo Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted June 18, 2014 That's neat how then pounded out the ears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 18, 2014 Share #19 Posted June 18, 2014 Another technique involved "spreading" the shell's sides by means of a screw-jack. The liner also had its sides cut away to fit over the receivers. Flak helmets require no liners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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