Russian WWII tank helmet headset

[Boycie]

I found one picture so far that show this kind of helmet used by a Soviet tankist in 1942 or 1943 with the DT-28 machinegun.

Attachment 1096089

I think this Tankist is postwar Warsaw Pact, quite possibly East German. The Czech's refurbished DP28s for East Germany. They featured non-ribbed barrels, modified (triangular) magazine release catches and a round bracket on the backsight for an optical sight to be fitted.

Perhaps the DDR made this hybrid helmet?

[Bagration]

Hello Boycie,

Your infos are interesting and could be good !

I always search more infos about this helmet but sadly ... I never find others photos about this kind of modification, the picture that you saw was on a old French magazine talking about the battle of Stalingrad (but legend on photos can be wrong sometimes) and when i tried the research about this picture i can't find any info on it ... i also searched for east and west germany tanker but didn't find this kind of helmet on them ... The throat microphone seem Soviet model in any case.

But i must say that Iv'e seen alot of variations about it.

i'm not at home right now but i will post some pictures at my return of models that I saw recently.

[Bjorn S]

I'd like to show you this example that I found. Also a modified German flight helmet. The microphone and connector are missing.
The modification has been very well made. Please your opinions on this helmet

[Boycie]

Looks like the same set-up. I think these were converted on a fairly industrial basis rather than one-offs. Another just appeared on eBay.

[Composite]

Interesting....Bjorn's example has tremendously good leather...must've sat in storage all these years?? I hope Boycie's latest doesn't mean these are the next thing to hit the market from less scrupulous sources

[Boycie]

Let's hope not... I think as long as Luftwaffe helmets command a higher price than Soviet tank helmets we're safe!

[Bagration]

Hello everyone,

About my last message, sorry i forgot ...

Here the model that I have seen on the internet, note that the green one is indeed German if you look the link and leather part for the neck.

[Bjorn S]

Thanks for your comments!
Interesting to see the other variations. I saw one other for sale on eBay a few months ago (it had all leather parts), so that makes a least three examples for sale in a half year.
It seems that these modifications are easier to find than the standard tank helmets

The one that I own has indeed very smooth leather and is in good condition, only very lightly worn I think.
The modification from German to Soviet must have been done by a professional worker, as the workmanship is excellent, it is very well done.
I wonder where the Soviets got all these flight helmets from, probably captured a big batch?
It seems logic that they used them during the time they hadn't enough resources to make them themselves, but when would they've stopped using them?

[Asjemenou]

Another film frame of Soviet tankmen. The tankman in front wears a tank helmet with a headset. Apparently a different type than shown on this website; Радиоаппаратура в бронетехнике. Ч.1 — Сообщество <<Военно-Техническое Общество>> на DRIVE2 .
As the title says, the film frame comes from a film about the Battle of Berlin. In the lair of the beast.