Never seen Japanese navy helmet!

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Steve,

The parachutes were used as seat cushions and the life jacket was part of their uniform so im guessing if you are going to die, you would want to do it in full uniform. Just my guess.

David.

[blinky]

Or, if you couldn't find or strike a target you were expected to return. Also, if your aircraft was shot down or had mechanical issues before finding a target you were encouraged to save yourself. It wasn't about needless sacrifice.

[blinky]

"The suicide boat theory is crazy...why would someone need a steel helmet if they are planning to strike a ship and take their own life."

Because if you shut down the brain you've stopped the weapon. Unlike an aircraft a fast boat, going slower than an aircraft, is less likely to maintain it's terminal course as well as being exposed to fire from it's target for a longer period of time than an aircraft. A Shinyo has a fairly large cockpit so the size of the helmet wouldn't be an issue. The weight wouldn't be an issue because the pilot on the final run wouldn't need (or be expected to move his head around) and really the head is the most exposed part of the body in the boat.

To me it doesn't make sense to deploy a weapon that could be easily stopped by putting a splinter of steel a quarter inch long through the brain of the pilot five hundred yards away. Of course a flight helmet would be more comfortable, but a lot less practical. How many pictures are there of the Shinyo in actual action?

[Jareth]

I find it hard to buy the Okha pilot theory. Japanese aviators all wore leather caps. Just doesn't seem right. The original film is possibly distorted & could also be a US helmet that was handy & used to prop up sign. It should be mentioned that the chinstrap is unique in width & length as compared to standard navy helmet. I have seen far more of these armored helmets than paratroopers. Eric has valid point plus the original photos showing leather pilot helmets might be just from training sessions where the heavy helmet wouldn't need to be worn

[RussellM]

There's another image (helmet?) at 5.27, it has some writing on it.

Regards

Russ

[Staldion]

I agree Jareth. Like Il said only à wild guess. Still close enough tout beau confusing but after all if it us the same kind of navy lid it could be from elsewhere than the Okha.

Is it true that some models of Okha where intended to be launched from the ground like defense towers or caves? Ignition from a surroundered land based position could have used some kind of extra armor tout get through ennemy barrage fire. In ordre to protect the pilot brain. Keeping most of them for mainland defense.

I also though of à training device to reproduce the effect of the G's from the speed on the pilot. That would have explain the stocks in japanese naval bases. And the fact they seen little to no action.

Russ > You're right. Is il the same or another. With writings it more looks like an early M1. But again my eyes could be wrong.

I see less objections in a shipboard use than flight use. I doubt such heavy protection would have been more confortable at high speed. I just don't know to be honest. Wanted to share my opinion so any theory will be neglect.

Thanks for your opinions by the way.

[blinky]

Some of you knew Ken Hable. His brother was in the Navy during WWII and I've had some great conversations with him including a little about this helmet. When his ship landed in Japan after the surrender they found a large stock of these helmets. They weren't very popular souvenirs because they were bulky, heavy and just weird. He brought one back and eventually many of them were picked up but a lot ended up being dumped.
I've always wondered if this stockpile represented the entire supply of these helmets and what we see today are those brought back by sailors who landed at this particular port after the surrender rather than individual helmets picked up here and there at the end of the war.

And Ken's brother gave his helmet away many, many years ago (first question I asked!!)

[Rod G]

He brought one back and eventually many of them were picked up but a lot ended up being dumped.

Somewhere there's a big rusty pile of these things.

What doesn't make sense to me is if this heavy head protection is necessary you'd think there would be some kind of corresponding body protection. That is unless the body was protected in some external capacity exposing only the head.

Rod

[NARVIK1940]

These are intriguing pieces. I think I've only seen about three of these. It would be interesting to know what base in Japan. Probably Yokosuka.

[Paul V]

Rare helmet!

Well enough time has passed since I posted this helmet and wonder if more ideas have been found!

I have made time to go see this helmet this week!

If I can buy it and I believe I can for around 800.00 or 850.00 from
guy.

I would list it on e stand! What would be fair price for collectors to pay?


As always thanks for the help!


PVON

[gunto]

hope We find out one day what it is.

[Jareth]

In this bad economy between $850. - $1500. & it will likely not be a fast sale. These helmets are staying a mystery & mostly misunderstood. Collectors prefer the typical type 90 navy helmets

[rood]

A helmet for a driver of a landing craft?

[NARVIK1940]

Never seen Japanese navy helmet!

Here is clear evidence of one in use on a Japanese destroyer. No doubt about it. You can see the clear demarcation of the front plate and the cut rim in front. Standing next to some marines watching some air action. So clearly a shipboard helmet used on surface vessels.











See film: http://youtu.be/hJz-LlYlXeA

[JCB]

Wow

Wow this is the FIRST Photograph/video I've ever seen of Japanese naval troops wearing this helmet. Well done finding that imagery!!!

BRAVO!!

Jim
JapaneseOrdnance at Yahoo.com