Strange paratrooper helmet

[RH1941]

Hi guys picked up these two photos and have never seen thia helmet before . is it a cover or a practice helmet . Thanks for looking Gary

[lebus12]

Hello, I think it's for practice, I saw them in a film from 1945 !

[lebus12]

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[Watchdog]

Yep, definately an early training "head protector" rather than a helmet. Known as the Bungey (pronounced bun-gee) Rubber Training Helmet it was cloth covered rubber and was used from introduction in 1940 throughout the war.
As a matter of interest it is quite likely that the pics were taken at No1 Parachute School Ringway which today is Manchester International Airport.

Regards

Mark

PS I believe those shown are the earliest version.

[BlackCat1982]

These are Sorbo helmets, British parachutist training helmet, made of rubber and padded canvas.

[Watchdog]

These are Sorbo helmets, British parachutist training helmet, made of rubber and padded canvas.

Correct. Sorbo was a proprietry name for the rubber material which I believe was later used for the pads in the famous HSAT.

Regards

Mark

[RH1941]

Thanks guys you are the best . Gary

[Jerry B]

Hardly worth me commenting as it has already been covered.

There was also a Indian airborne version.

[RH1941]

Jerry did it look the same . I've just spent some time looking them up they seem to be a hard item to find . Gary

[Watchdog]

There was a Canadian version as well so with national variations to national types quite complicated!

Mark