NVA Helmet

[tlsher]

Thought I'd share this with the group. Picked it up at a flea market today.

I was told it was an NVA/Viet Cong helmet. Other than that, I don't know anything more. If you do, I would like to hear it.

Thanks!

Information

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[UNPROFOR1994]

It is a helmet made for tourists:

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Probably a modern "commemorative" model.

The street stalls of every major town in Viet Nam are awash with modern reproductions of the classic NVA green "pith helmet".

REAL ones are VERY hard to find for a number of reasons.

1. They were officially withdrawn from service almost a decade ago. They were replaced by peaked caps for "general" wear and proper steel helmets for "serious" work.

2. Most of the "originals" were worn by farmers, cyclo drivers, or just about anyone, until they fell to pieces.

3. I got a "pre-loved" original there, complete with a scruffy original badge, about eight years back. It now resides in a military museum in Brisbane.

4. The "trade" helmets of my acquaintance are NOT made from a soft "pith", either natural or synthetic, but are a simple hard shell of an unknown plastic material. The "liners" and chin-straps of these are "cheesy" to say the least.

[tlsher]

Well....that took the wind out of my sails! Thought I had something pretty cool, not a tourist trinket.

Oh well, lesson learned.

Thanks for the information, Bruce & Unprofor.

[mmppres]

well its still a cool conversation piece an hopefully you did not put to much out for it. be good for something some day

[shuvelrider]

You could always say it was the helmet that Jane Fonda wore, I saw a lot of bootleg stuff while in Afghanistan also.

[mmppres]

wasnt she the very policitaly correct movie star that helpped everyone?????????