British Royal Armoured Corps pattern steel helmet

[Adrian Stevenson]

This was another helmet design based upon the basic shape of the Airborne helmet.

Tankers soon found that they needed a steel helmet to wear when exposed in the turret or drivers position.

The shape of the standard "Tommy" helmet was not suited to wear in a tank, so this pattern of helmet was adopted. It rimless design was ideal. The first Tankers pattern helmet had a fibre rim around the edge and was based upon the 2nd pattern Airborne helmet. The one shown here is the second pattern Tankers helmet which was based upon the 3rd pattern Airborne helmet shell.

This particular example is dated 1952. Liner is made by FFL: Fisher & Ludlow Ltd in Birmingham.

I don't collect post war items as such, but this was a kind gift from a friend. It was found it in an attic and he was given it and passed it on to me.

The markings on this one are so far unexplained. The yellow/blue is the post war insignia for the Royal Army Service Corps. The Parachute is unexplained. But it may well have been worn by an RASC man who was an Air Despatcher? My best guess anyway...The RASC provided men as aircrew to drop supplies.

Cheers, Ade.