found this Vietnam era camo cover with large numbers?

[MAS36]

I picked up this revesable camo M1 helmet cover today, it has the number 19 on the front, rear, and sides

 

anybody know the purpose of this helmet cover? why did they put the large numbers on it? the camo pattern is the Vietnam war style with tropical green colors with leaves on one side for the wet season, and brown & tan colors on the other side for the dry season, and it's in like new condition.

[kklinejr]

The DSA 100-74F-U060 (Real Train) Cover

“The Numbered Ones”

 

In early 1974 the Minneapolis Society for the Blind was called upon to produce an oddity to the Mitchell pattern cover. Contract number 100-74F-U060 was designated as the “Real Train” program cover (Realism in Tactical Training program). These covers are easily distinguished from the standard cover by the four large, black, double digit numbers in green circles placed around the perimeter of the cover. The numbered circles measured 4 7/8” in diameter and were silk-screened with heavy texture. Covers in superb conditions will also include very small, quarter inch numbers just below the larger circles (designed for scoped rifle sights?). The Real Train program was designed to be a sort of war games to encourage accurate fire in the soldiering ranks. Supposedly, once a number was in the sights, the number would be called and that person was considered a “kill”. The program was reported to be quite effective, however the

contract for more Real Train covers was never renewed.

 

In the collecting field, these covers are a bit of an anomaly. They are Mitchell pattern covers that were contracted during the official period of the Vietnam war, however they were never intended for field use and thus, are not heavily collected. Moreover, they were only utilized in 1976 and 1977, thus making them post-war pieces. In some circles, however, they are passionately searched for as some advanced collectors try to assemble a complete 01-99 set.

 

 

 

Ken

[Steve B.]

Those covers were used for the SCOPES war game system. I don't recall exactly what SCOPES stood for, but it was something like "Squad Combat OPtical Engagement System."

 

Each soldier was given a numbered helmet cover to wear, and a low-power (3x maybe) scope to mount on his M-16.

 

You then maneuvered against each other. If you could read the bad guy's number, you fired a blank, and then told the controller/umpire the bad guy's number, and he eliminated that guy from the game.

 

They also did it on a larger scale with numbers on the tanks, APCs, etc.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Steve

[MAS36]

thats interesting , it also has the smaller 1/4" inch sized number 19 below it for the higher powered scoped rifles to spot.

 

I thought it was for landing craft assault troops or something when I found it.

[M60 Driver]

In the collecting field, these covers are a bit of an anomaly. .......In some circles, however, they are passionately searched for as some advanced collectors try to assemble a complete 01-99 set.

Ken

 

Whilst some numbers are more sought after than others.