Jack Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 The British 'Tommy' helmet. When did this go out of service and why did we use this type when the rest of the world seemed to wear a far superior helmet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 I did reply an hour ago put, it went woosh & didn't arrive it seems. Anyway. I don't know about army service but those Tommy helmets were still in use with a UK police force up until early 1969. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Well the proper 'Tommy' helmets, the Mk II, started to come out of service in 1944 when the Mk III came in, the Mk III IV and V all pretty much look the same until you get to the Mk 6 which is the current sort of helmet. Personally I think the Tommy helmets looked quite good, and very distinctive of the British Soldier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 They might have looked 'quite good' but they offered little protection except to the top of the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECW82 Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Mark 3 Note brown non reflective paint rough finish. High chin strap rivets and mk2 liner. There was at first a green paint but these are rare. 1943 dated shell and 1944 dated liner just perfection. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I recently restored a MK3, 1944 dated. Itnow has a rough finish in a greenish tint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I know quite a few are still gathering dust in local authority emergency stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAFMT Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 They might have looked 'quite good' but they offered little protection except to the top of the head. Because, funnily enough, that was exactly where you needed protection when sat in a trench By the time the authorities realised the second half was going to be a lot less static than the first it was too late to get a new helmet produced in enough numbers to equip the rapidly expanding forces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazz Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I believe they were originally designed to protect the head from air burst shells whilst in the WWI trenches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.