British Mk 2 Body Armour, INIBA

A look at British Mk 2 Body Armour, otherwise known as Improved Northern Ireland Body Armour.
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[@mickm234]

Got mine in April ‘81. Never forget the smell of it…

[@alanfaulkner6329]

I remember in the late 80’s early 90’s getting issued with a “polo shirt” designed to be worn beneath it.

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

I'm so glad you explained that the plates were designed to protect the heart. It was driving me nuts that they were off center. I thought it was a trick of the camera angle at first because I couldn't think of a reason for them to be off center.

[@KTM-xz9qj]

My issue when I tipped up at palace barracks was one of these. Two plates. 75 rds 5.56mm, NI aide memoir and a metal mess tray... Custard and gravy anyone.. plates designed to protect the heart/ lung area. Got mine in 1987 and it honked.

[@chaz8758]

My troop was issued these for Op Jole in early 1986 as we had to patrol to the RUC base we were rebuilding in Toomebridge from Antrim. The rest of my Sqn (a troop at Bessbrook Mill and one at RUC Enniskillen) were accommodated in site so were issued the high neck jackets. We still had the Mk 4 tin pot at the time so were also issued the "Compton, Riot helmets". Since we were mostly doing a construction tour pretty much all my photos wearing it are over our green coveralls, with welly boots and white construction helmets. We only wore them under our combat jackets for road moves and some helicopter flights.

[@tomsoki5738]

I got one of these about a year ago, I knew it was British army and Northern Ireland issue but I could only find a tiny amount of info on ‘ARSSE’ about it. Thanks for this, very informative. It’s interesting that the CBA that went after this was a downgrade as it didn’t have plates. Are you very sure yours is ballistic nylon? Mine is made out of Kevlar, as this was made when Kevlar ballistic vests had been available for around 5 years. You can cut a little tiny slit in the bottom of the filler and take a look, (ballistic nylon is white, Kevlar is yellow) and tape it back up if you want. I also have a mine clearance version of it that comes with a 3/4 collar and a groin protector added on, both filled with Kevlar, it came in an EOD kit that also comes with a main body protector (Kevlar)with elastic straps, arm guards (Kevlar), thigh guards (Kevlar), an EOD polycarbonate helmet visor for the MK6 helmet, EOD gloves and various EOD tools.

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video . Very interesting. An area where huge improvements have been made more recently

[@mh53j]

Seen a picture of an HC-4 door Gunner wearing one of these over top of his dpm jacket during the Falklands War. Were 95 pattern combat smocks (and possibly later patterns) sized a bit larger to accommodate wearing these underneath? Seems I read that somewhere but cannot remember where or find it now (the problem with having too many reference books/magazines on British uniforms).

[@karood-dog3584]

these were issued with a INIBA polo shirt .

[@badgertheskinnycow]

Not to start with - those came years later.

[@richthompson1234]

'83, West Belfast we wore this body armour. The solid, flat rear plate caused some issues for anyone doing 'top cover' in Land Rovers or Pigs in that it quickly wore a hole where the back of the combat jacket was taut over the plate. The battalion tailor spent no end of time putting patches of cammo over the hole that was created. If at the end of the tour you didn't have a 'Pig Patch' you were considered to be a 'red-arse'. 😅😅😅

[@j24530959]

I remember when we first got these in NI in 81, we had all our combat jackets tailored to fit us snug for wear under the old over body armour, we then had to either get a new bigger jacket or cut the tailoring seems but it left a dark bit on the jacket, the first plates were completely flat and were not comfortable to wear if you were sat in a sanger, some guys used to put books instead of plates , i never knew anyone that did put books but heard it was done, it was a very foolish thing to do .

[@BombFlks]

quality videos once again moore,love it!

[@johnshanahan8477]

Fantastic video as allways

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

very cool ive always been fascinated with the troubles

[@woodenz]

The ones we had in 83 - 84 had curved plate at the front and flat at the rear , 86 -87 tour , front plate was curved , as was the rear plate as the flat plate , cracked easily …I’m after a flat plate ..as I have two curved ones

[@pk33]

The curved plates were introduced as it was believed rounds striking the flat surface could be deflected straight up possibly hitting you in the head. Front plates were changed first with prority to Inf/UDR, then both and trickled down to everyone as more became available.

[@chaz8758]

Curved plates were introduced so the things actually fitted the contours of your body and were a lot more comfortable Curving them towards your body would make anything striking them more likely to be deflected towards you than flat plates

[@badgertheskinnycow]

May I ask where your info comes from?

[@pk33]

@@badgertheskinnycow Having to wear the blasted things.

[@badgertheskinnycow]

I wore them too - but you didn't answer the question.

[@stephen2429]

A lot of the lads had a photo of wife, family or girlfriend stuck on the inside of the front plate.

[@Aindriuh]

We got them brand new in 1981. You had to watch yourself jumping out of the back of Land-rovers with the front plate or it caught under your chin and threw your head back.

[@carltonwray7015]

Iniba neck rash!

[@stephen2429]

A later version appeared with DPM cammo cover and front Velcro opening.

[@user-lv8dn8gw9z]

That would be the cba no?

[@chaz8758]

Different body armour not INIBA, we got the CBA (which opens down the front and is worn over your clothing) in the beginning of the 90's when deploying on OP Grapple 1

[@stephen2429]

@@chaz8758Trying to remember but we wore it in Londonderry. Worn same as INIBA, under combat jacket. DPM cammo pattern, plates front and back, but it fastened at the front.

[@chaz8758]

@@stephen2429 When we got the first CBA you could wear it under or over your jacket - wore it both ways in different places mostly underneath. We got a newer version for GW 2 which we only wore over the jacket but my unit got issued the plates for a previous type which would not fit I wore CBA with DPM, Desert and UN covers. Look like this? www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/store/British-Army-Genuine-Combat-Body-Armour-With-Filler-p95352071

[@stephen2429]

@@chaz8758That looks like what I remember. Must admit my memory fades, I was in civvies most of my time in Londonderry, only wore uniform occasionally. Civvy street was looming so only wore body armour if I got spooned for the odd guard duty. Cheers mate

[@ltcameron1]

Great informative video- afa weel presented and awesome knowledge -watch the hands - way too much waving aboot which distracts from your excellent presentation. Other than that-faultless. weel done loon. And we used to wear a fleecy jaiket underneath to prevent tearing to the combat suit

[@tylerfreal6472]

what type of threats will those plates stop?

[@Aindriuh]

Up to 7.62mm

[@themodernwarfarehistorian825]

How many layers of Kevlar does this have?

[@RiflemanMoore]

It isn't made of kevlar. Might I suggest rewatching the video? I mention the filler is ballistic nylon and the number of layers thereof at 1:39.

[@themodernwarfarehistorian825]

@@RiflemanMoore Yes, my bad, I commented as the video started :D

[@muwuny]

Got a source for it being introduced in 1981? I've been looking for a definitive source for ages.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'll double-check with Matthew but I believe he has done a lot of asking around to find out when NI veterans first remember receiving them, as I understand it he's yet to find a written record but I shall double check as I say. Coincidentally Mick M in the comments down below remembers first getting his in April 1981.

[@j24530959]

@@RiflemanMoore We were still wearing the old flack jackets during the hunger strikes , i think we got the MK2 about june 81

[@britishempire5276]

Where did you buy it?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I believe this one came from eBay.

[@zaynevanday142]

You still play MTG ? I started during Revised in the mid 90’s still have my cards

[@RiflemanMoore]

Nono, thos are my wife's.

[@zaynevanday142]

@@RiflemanMoore ha ha are you sure 😂

[@RiflemanMoore]

@@zaynevanday142 Yep. The Warhammer minis are hers as well.

[@zaynevanday142]

@@RiflemanMoore really I didn’t see any on the shelf 😂 well I’m going to tell you something you already know .....she’s a keeper 😂

[@Shenarector]

NIJ 3a ?

[@tomsoki5738]

Probably closer to NIJ2, British military and police armour is almost never 3a as the European and British ballistic standards are different than the US ones and exotic threats like .357magnum and .44magnum are non existent in Europe as opposed to the US

[@user-co4rs7ob1t]

Не знал что у англичан был такой бронежилет...Хотя конструкция странная...Только область сердца прикрыта плитой...а если пуля попадет в печень,почки,кишечник...Там что не больно??? И не смертельно?!

[@davidbrennan660]

Personal Armour with a tea tray..... how British.

[@thebelfastvikingmartinbrow3603]

My mate broke his middle left foot toe by dropping a plate on it. But that's the joy's of mucking around in your bare feet.

[@zaynevanday142]

Have you heard of that story about the IRA Sniper on the boarder that used a 50cal destroyed guys on patrol pushed the whole plate thru their chest ? Not sure if that’s true or just a story made up ?

[@pk33]

Exaggerated. The .50 penetrated the front plate and exited through the back one, never knew what hit him. The shot was fired from around 100 to 150m away.

[@user-lv8dn8gw9z]

There's no manwearable armour that can stop 50 bmg (although I think there was one very very recently), and even if there was, its pointless cuz if you get hit directly in the plate you'll be pissing your insides out anyway

[@zaynevanday142]

@@pk33 was he ever caught ?

[@zaynevanday142]

@@user-lv8dn8gw9z nope there isn’t but even so the kinetic energy would kill you even if the round did not

[@pk33]

@@zaynevanday142 Yes the whole gang were arrested.