Thanks.
I have my eyes on one which is stampede 1950, dark blue.
Auction ends monday.
Thanks.
I have my eyes on one which is stampede 1950, dark blue.
Auction ends monday.
Got the my Mle 45 today.
Lovely Examples shown Greg and the other members who have posted also and one of which i would like to add to my collection one day ,i am just wanting to ask if you know the reason why the majority were Air Force issue please ?
Regards James
Good question. Perhaps one of the French collectors can answer it more fully and accurately than I can. I have not found anything in published books to explain this (so far anyway) and I can only theorise. We know, for example, that many ex-US M1 helmets were used by the French forces in Indo-China in the early to mid 1950s. This was before the widespread issue of the *new* mle51. So it would simply be that there was so real demand for it - and no real love for it either, as it was quickly shown that the rear of the helmet tended to catch of backpacks when lying down. Remember, it was in essence developed from the mle35 which was a mobile troops helmet where that sort of thing might have been less of a nuisance.
Actually I tend to think the problem is that the Jeanne d'Arc was in the wrong place at the wrong time - a particularly pleasing helmet to look at, but a bit useless in practical terms. The more workaday mle51 easily overtook it.
Thanks Greg for your thoughts ,I suppose a long front brim would be unsuitable around an Air Force base environment so i see why this example would be better suited for bump protection and a better all round visibility for the wearer
Regards James
Hello
Maybe one on the explaination is that army and airforce are separated entities with separated budget and their orders are also distinct.
Army also reused a big stock of M26, M35 and US M1 that were more fitted for fight.
The M35 was looking more "modern" in 45 when comando's used it, whish drove to the creation of the "Jeanne d'Arc".
The display is nice and will work for static position (Like for Airfors ground security forces) but will not be good for real combat if you need to lay down and fire. Most specificaly in Indochina with a Guerilla war.
Bruno
Interesting thread, I actually have an M26 shell and it appears to have the same type of chinstrap as this mle 45 helmet, with the screw on the other side, looking at it now after having read this, the screw was indeed about to come loose , by the way, does anyone know where to get a good M26 helmet liner original or repro, just something that fits to be honest, I'd like the helmet to be complete
Luis
Try this seller, UK based
1926 French Adrian Helmet liners 6 leaf pattern any size produced. | eBay
Steve,
Thank you, Steve, I will definitely keep that in mind. They do look well made and I mean the shipping shouldn't be through the roof either
Luis
Hello
Do you have a photo of your helmet and liner?
Bruno
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