Airborne helmet....somewhat???

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10-22-2023, 05:07 PM
BEAR

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Airborne helmet....somewhat???

As my grandsons grow older, I have gifted them with helmets of their preference. My oldest grandson received an M1917, his cousin received a British Brodie Mk2.

Last week my son was watching "Band Of Brothers" wiith his youngest son, who got so excited about the Airborne scenes that he leaned over to his dad and said "Dada, tell Grandad that I want a paratrooper helmet not one of those weird helmets" (M17 and Mk2 Brodie).

So, having a spare liner, I attached the A-yokes and a leather chinstrap and a net. And, voleyoley, I have a paratrooper helmet for him. Unfortunately, the net is held in place by Gorilla tape. The string took up too much room.

BEAR

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10-22-2023, 06:58 PM
browningautorifle

I do know of a couple guys that wore those and got away with it for a time, no outer shell... That would have been nice and light. I have to agree, not one of those weird helmets...
10-22-2023, 08:29 PM
Flying10uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR

As my grandsons grow older, I have gifted them with helmets of their preference. My oldest grandson received an M1917, his cousin received a British Brodie Mk2.

Will you be keeping any of your helmets for yourself for the time being?

I've still got the first helmet that I, personally, purchased in the 1970's, a WW2 Brodie.
10-22-2023, 11:24 PM
BEAR

Yes, I will be keeping helmets, however, my timeline is short so I will be dividing up my helmets to my children and grandchildren. Don't think St. Peter will let me take them.

1966 I purchased my first helmet. It was an M42 that was found on an island (Insel_Langlutjen2) in the Waser River just outside of Bremerhaven, Germany. It was part of a Kriegsmarine ack-ack unit. Cost me $20.00

1970 I purchased my 2nd helmet at the Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA. It is a Canadian Mk1. Cost me $9.00. Still have both these helmets today.

BEAR
10-23-2023, 10:41 AM
browningautorifle

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR

the Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA.

I remember that place, they had EVERYTHING...
10-23-2023, 12:01 PM
42rocker

As I sit here at my computer, I can look up at my Dad's Helmet liner. Dad was in the 11th Airborne. It sits on the pair of Jump Boots that he used in his last jump.
And Life moves on.
Share and enjoy as much as you can.

Bear - you are doing great things!

Thaks to all that share!

Later 42rocker
10-23-2023, 09:18 PM
Flying10uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR

my timeline is short

Hopefully not too short.
10-23-2023, 09:38 PM
Flying10uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR

Duffle Bag Surplus in Tacoma, WA

It's a pity that there isn't more of the "old school" style of "government surplus stores" about today. The internet is all very well but you can't beat actually seeing and feeling the government surplus and giving it "a good sniff". I remember that there use to be a good one in Swindon in the 1970's, packed with interesting and useful government surplus.
10-25-2023, 05:37 PM
HOOKED ON HISTORY

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR

Yes, I will be keeping helmets, however, my timeline is short so I will be dividing up my helmets to my children and grandchildren. Don't think St. Peter will let me take them.

Wish I had some of those. Only nieces and nephews with zero interest. Seems my attempts to preserve our family's history of service are for naught. It will however make for some great garage sale bargains upon my demise.
10-25-2023, 08:47 PM
Flying10uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

It will however make for some great garage sale bargains upon my demise.

An alternative may be to gift items to people that you know, outside of your family, who you think may have an interest.
10-26-2023, 04:08 PM
HOOKED ON HISTORY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

An alternative may be to gift items to people that you know, outside of your family, who you think may have an interest.

Yep that is the plan with some items. The family stuff. Framed DD214S with photos. My grandfathers WWII helmet, other grandfathers WWI photo and Hat cord. Just wish our younger generation had more interest. I do have one great niece who is about 10 who I believe might be a candidate I will wait and see. I can't count the number of really personal items Bronze Star citations, personal wartime correspondence etc.. I have found at garage sales etc...
It's one thing if one has no descendants but it seems two generations of interest is about the max and if it skips gen 2 it's off to the dumpster so too bad if gen 3 is interested everything is gone. Upside is I have bought some nice items cheap and have been a good steward of the compiled history..
10-26-2023, 08:33 PM
Flying10uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

It's one thing if one has no descendants but it seems two generations of interest is about the max and if it skips gen 2 it's off to the dumpster so too bad if gen 3 is interested everything is gone. Upside is I have bought some nice items cheap and have been a good steward of the compiled history..

More than 40 years ago a chap that my late father knew gifted my father various WW2 home front related items because he knew that my father collected home front items from WW2. Long after the chap had passed away and after my father had also passed away I offered what I could find of the items back to the son who I happen to know. He was very pleased to have the items back and was unaware that they had existed or that his father had given them away.
10-27-2023, 06:12 PM
HOOKED ON HISTORY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

More than 40 years ago a chap that my late father knew gifted my father various WW2 home front related items because he knew that my father collected home front items from WW2. Long after the chap had passed away and after my father had also passed away I offered what I could find of the items back to the son who I happen to know. He was very pleased to have the items back and was unaware that they had existed or that his father had given them away.

I have a cash from a WWII & Korean war vet with lots of photos and a draft After Action Report for the Lete Gulf Campaign. I would love to find a relative to give it to. Also have a memorial service pamphlet from a Vietnam war
KIA. Framed it. That may be my next mission to find a relative to give it to as he was local ant it may be doable. We have a local county museum that might be a candidate, but I know museums tend to sell off items to offset their overhead.
10-27-2023, 08:46 PM
Flying10uk

You may find that some of your family members develop a sudden and rapid interest in militaria once they see you giving away a few bits outside of your family.

I know of one "local museum" that doesn't keep items not currently on display very local to the museum, meaning that they are not accessible if not on display.