West German Stahlhelm für Bodentruppe, M1A1 Modifiziert

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

In order to increase the combat value of the Bundeswehr's M1A1 helmet until the introduction of a composite helmet, "Stahlhelm für Bodentruppe, M1A1 Modifiziert" - "Steel helmet for ground troops, M1A1 Modified", was introduced.
The helmet model has an improved interior and a three-point chin strap system. The planning began in the mid-1970s. The wear test started in 1977. The introduction took place in 1981.

Approximately half of the old usable M1A1 I60 and M1A1 IF60 helmet stocks were mordenized and the other half were made into new helmet shells at VDN (Vereingte Deutsche Nickelwerke, Schwerthe) and PSL (Paul Schulze, Lübeck). There was a change here too. The manufacturer and year were no longer stamped but were embossed into the edge at the front, such as: VDB83 or PSL85. The size of the shells, matching the interior, was stamped inside with white paint.

Many helmets were painted, assembled and completed at the Schuberth Works in Braunschweig. Shells were supplied by VDN for this purpose. At Schuberth, the old shells were obviously refurbished and modernized.
PSL appears to have completed the helmets themselves with own made interior.

Reworked shells can be easily recognized by the additional rivets. Reworked M1A1 I60s have 6 rivets and reworked M1A1 IF60s have 9 rivets.

West German M1A1 helmet with I60 interior

West German M1A1 helmet with JF60 interior

Instructions for use were also issued for the M1A1 modified.

In 1992 the German composite helmet Schuberth M826 was finally introduced. The M1A1 modified continued to be used until it was completely converted until almost the end of the 1990s.

In addition to the RAL 6014 variant, a special version was also produced by Schuberth Werke (with VDN shells) for use in UN operations in blue RAL 5002.










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[Sleepwalker]

Redesigned M1A1 I60 helmet

[Sleepwalker]

Redesigned M1A1 IF60 helmet

[Sleepwalker]

New made shell by VDN in 1983

[Sleepwalker]

New made shell by PSL 1985

[Sleepwalker]

Here is the UN version of the M1A1 modified in the color blue RAL 5002 and UN symbols on the front and sides.

These helmets were manufactured by the Schuberth factory in the early 1990s with VDN shells. These helmets are not changes that were made by the troops.
This can also be seen from the white size stamp inside.
The stickers with the UN symbols must be rectangular.
The Schuberth interior and chin strap are standard pieces.

These helmets were used in Cambodia by the UN missions UNAMIC (October 1991 to March 1992) and UNTAC (May 1992 to November 1993) and possibly by the Navy.

These helmets were quickly replaced by the UN versions of the Schuberth M826.




German M826 UN-Blue Version - UN support contingent for Somalia 1993 - 1994 UNOSOM II

German M826 - UN support contingent for Somalia 1993 - 1994 UNOSOM II

[emileverbunt]

Top quality helmets and photography! Thanks for posting.

Cheers,
Emile

[Sleepwalker]

The M1A1 Modified had the same accessories as the M1A1 types.

These helmet nets, bands, antennas, lamps and covers were also used.


West German M1A1 series - Accesories

West German M1A1 helmet with JF60 interior

West German M1A1 helmet with I60 interior


First here is an M1A1 modified with a regular helmet net model 1962, as it was mainly worn.

[Sleepwalker]

The 1980s were a time when a lot of things were being tested in the Bundeswehr before the introduction of a new camouflage uniform. For this reason, materials and camouflage schemes for helmet covers were also tested.

Here is a one-sided helmet cover in "Flecktarn A" from the mid-1980s. A test version of the Bundeswehr's later five-color camouflage print (Fünft-Farben-Tarndruck - 5FTD "Flecktarn").

There are two variants of these covers. One with slots for camouflage material and one without.

Without slots:

[Sleepwalker]

with slots