P type para Helmet "DuckBill"

[Gary Jucha]

A technical question concerning the early "P" type British para helmet.

The "DuckBill" on the back of the rim, what was the intended purpose of this fitment ?

.. (Was it a neck protector/absorbtion fitment to cushion any rearward motion causing the helmet to bash into the exit ring when jumping from Whitley or similar ? )

Gary J.

[lnijherald]

Gary, there are many theories about its function but as far as I know the original reason can't be found as all relevant documents are missing/lost.

Luc

[yellow]

So which lucky bugger has one of these in their collection?

[Gary Jucha]

Hartenstein

Only one I've seen is in the Hartenstein Museum - Oosterbeek !!
..And one which was on e-bay circa 2001 which had the duckbill cutoff, and did not reach it's reserve of around the £2200 mark even then !!

Gary J.

So which lucky bugger has one of these in their collection?

[lnijherald]

So which lucky bugger has one of these in their collection?

The one on my website is from a private collection in the Netherlands.

Luc

[SMP]

The one on my website is from a private collection in the Netherlands.

Luc

Hi Luc,
Is that the one featured on the "Tommy Talk" forum ?

I know that Marcus Cotton has one with the early style chinstrap. It will feature in his new book. They are pretty rare !

Regards,
Steve

[lnijherald]

Yes it is Steve, the owner was kind enough to allow me to show it.

Happy New Year!

Luc

[philipR]

It was still in use at Arnhem, although in very small numbers I think

[Gary Jucha]

John Frost

I heard a story that John Frost was wearing a P type at Arnhem ....
.. Can anybody confirm this ??

Gary J.

[philipR]

Sorry Gary, can't confirm a unit

[lnijherald]

He wore one during the Bruneval raid, don't know about MG.

Luc

[shadwell1944]

I've seen at least one photograph of a parachute stick attributed to 'Market Garden', but certainly at least late war British Airborne troops and one man has this type of helmet, I also recall at least one original helmet has reputidly been recovered from the Arnhem area, not sure if it's the one museum or a dig-up though.

[philipR]

There are 2 known Arnhem ones, no dig ups are found as far as i know

[Paul Brennan]

So not all P type helmets were given back in when the fibre rim helmet was issued?

Would like to see photo's if anyone knows where they are specifically?




Paul.

[force136]

P Type

Hi Guys

I have two of the Helmet Crash Parachutist's or P Type in my book on the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion "Into the Maelstrom".

There is no explanation for the rear flare other than to divert rain water.

Many of these helmets were reissued with the flare cut down. This should not devalue the helmet because it ensures it was worn in combat. The only others that continued to wear it in its original form later in the war were those at the Airborne Experimental Establishment.

When 1CPB arrived in the UK, British Stores tried to shove a bunch of these on to the Canadians. They wore a few of them until they came to the attention of Brigadier Hill. He had them turned in for the newer types.

You can see them being worn by the odd British paratrooper in September 1944 and likely again in March 1945 in the cut down version. This because there was always a shortage of helmets, esp after battles.

Ken

So not all P type helmets were given back in when the fibre rim helmet was issued?

Would like to see photo's if anyone knows where they are specifically?




Paul.