Infantry Helmets of the British Army | 1938 - 2016

Since the start of the Second World War, the British Army has put into service eight different types of Infantry Helmets; from the Mk2 in 1937 to the Virtus in 2016. In this video, I discuss each one, detailing what set them all apart, what to look for when collecting them and the conflicts they would have been used in.
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Music: Inspiring Piano Background Music - Argsound Background Music
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NO PART OF THIS VIDEO MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM (REACTIONS OR RE-UPLOADED) WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE CREATOR
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[@ewanedgar8872]

Funny how it took us decades to find the perfect helmet design which pretty much is a german stahlhelm from ww1 just made out of kevlar

[@NeuroPosting88]

Ewan Edgar The Stahlhelm IMO was the best helmet design in history.

[@adhdgaming5729]

If you look at most modern combat helmets, pretty much everyone arrived at the conclusion of Kevlar Stahlhelms

[@tachibanacanada1978]

You forgot the comfy cushions!

[@ewanedgar8872]

@@tachibanacanada1978 ah so i did

[@----1382]

Ewan Edgar ....it’s nothing like a German helm..

[@craigdavidson2278]

I was given my grandads MkII when I was a little lad (1970s) it was huge and heavy but I loved playing "war" in the garden, sadly it was stolen by some pikey kids from my shed only a few years ago so I can't give it to my grandson. Will have to look for another one now after watching this. Thank you.

[@asa0046]

why you don't search now ? it could be somewhere near those bastards houses ?

[@westsideofnorway7505]

craig davidson that is so sad.....

[@craigdavidson2278]

@@westsideofnorway7505 thank you...I am sure to find another one soon.

[@jasonsteward99]

@@craigdavidson2278 Bloody pikeys. They used to come into the shop where I used to work and steal everything through the back. The world is better off without them. Hope you find it, or if not then a new one to replace the old...

[@theahepisodes7547]

I hate people that steal things, they should be hung publicity.

[@jordanboyle539]

The MK7 was fantastic but we didn't get it untill after we got back from Afghan in 2010.

[@themeathead301]

Good video! Pretty funny to notice that the evolution of the British helmet increasingly moulds into something that resembles the stahlhelm. Almost as if the German army were spot on with design style for practicality and protection.

[@elwolf8536]

Absolutely. Its sed though that a commando was traind to kill a German with his own helmet 🤤

[@tankolad]

It's amazing how wehraboos can see things that aren't there and find ways to exercise their superiority complex :)

[@adamdesouza6153]

Pel Tigers were wayy too expensive, very unreliable and impossible to maintain. The Luger was not as good as the 1911. Spandau was ok and Panzerfaust was par with allied stuff..

[@CAPDude44]

@Russ Hawthorne equipment? Not really. It was all horse drawn and made of leather. Weapons? Not that either since they used antique bolt actions until the end of the war, and most new designs were overly complex.

[@CAPDude44]

@Pel all of those things are awful

[@georgehand2474]

Switching from the Mk7 to the Virtus has such a huge change, my Mk7 would constantly flop over my face and bounce around when running regardless of how tight i had it, not to mention it was massively heavier, the Virtus issue was welcomed with open arms from everyone i work with, brilliant helmet, nice video bro 👍🏼

[@thetechoasis2179]

i loved my MK VI helmet was with me for 4 tours in 2 different wars. until a bullet hit the metal plate protecting my heart and deflected it into my lung causing me to be Medically Discharged. ahh memories

[@pathegarty4757]

The mk 2 is the most iconic helmet for me. In the days of the 'Tommy ' .

[@ReviveHF]

The Mk 7 looks like a mix of US M1 steel helmet and Mk6 helmet battle bowler helmet.

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day, Outstanding video, well done! Some years ago I found a relative's old MkII. Tried it on. At some stage it was knocked off my head, backwards. It darn near choked me. I'm a film maker who researches WW2 documentaries. I was interviewing an old digger and he not only agreed with me about the 'dangers' of the MkII but said it was all too real. He told me he'd seen some mates severely injured with crushed windpipes when the MkII was 'blown' off in contacts or by other means. He, and others I interviewed truly believed the MkII was more dangerous than protective and wore them only when they absolutely had to. I guess that's why you can see so much old footage of Aussies going into battle wearing their slouch hats. It's fantastic to see the life saving capabilities of modern helmets today... as they should be. Protecting a soldier's head is just as vital as the wearing of body armour. Great channel, I've subscribed. Cheers, BH

[@kingofburgundy6323]

My god what a great video, learned a lot hope you keep making more just like this

[@nigelcracknell947]

Great video, I was issued the Mk5 then Mk6, didn’t realise how much they had evolved since I left the Army in 89.

[@paulwolf2775]

Great video. I used to subscribe to a magazine, back in the late 80s- mid 90s, "Combat and Survival" magazine. They always showed photos of British soldiers, in their uniforms, kit,and so on. Very interesting to me, since, I'm a Yank. Btw, I have a Mk 2, that I got years ago. Never realized what it was until years later.

[@paulphilipempey1]

Thank you for the upload. Very informative.

my grandfather was issued the Mk3, i was issued the Mk6.

[@ciiiiiityt874]

i dont know why but really love helmets .

[@KillingDeadThings]

I remember correcting a corporal about the Mk 6 in the mid-'90s. The common misconception then being that it was made from Kevlar.

[@ringochocostarr6380]

Killing DeadThings You weren’t even born in the 90s

[@KillingDeadThings]

@@ringochocostarr6380 Lmf@o. Dude I'm 40 yrs old. lmao, and had the pleasure of being issued one.

[@the.parks.of.no.return]

They were telling people they were made from kevlar in the mid 90s.

[@HaggisMonster]

Killing DeadThings I did a search on the MK7 helmet and it seems it doesn’t offer much ballistic protection too.

[@KillingDeadThings]

@@HaggisMonster According to Wiki it has the same ballistic protection as the mk6a, just lighter and slightly more practical with Armour, etc. I'm surprised how little the designs and materials have changed over the years. I'd have expected better gear for troops by now with regards something so basic as a helm. Having said that, I'm sure I've seen footage of helms stopping bullets, so that's not to say they are not tough already and have saved lives.

[@ianbl67]

I remember being issued the Mk5 way back in 1984 and then in the late 80,s doing the trials for the new Body armour and the armour kept pushing the back of the helmet up forcing the front of the helmet down obscuring the wearer's vision, the Mk6 cane came shortly after this and i still have my original issue Mk 6. Great informative videos, keep them coming.

[@rouseg54]

I remember having to use the Mk5 and it was a cow. Especially when running. It flopped about mostly fore and aft and there was a constant fear that it would fall over the eyes when landing from a jump.

[@andrewrobinson5837]

What a great vid...thanks for taking the time to explain those differences in the Mk 3 - 5.

[@danielf1313]

Fantastic video! Cheers for uploading!

[@ElliotBrownJingles]

This is actually a very moving video. The practical thoughts and designs behind those flat caps intended to keep our boys just a little bit safer and more comfortable while they're facing the unimaginable.

[@TheKimmer1969]

Nice video, narration or voice-over in post-production is always a good way to do it. Well done..

[@jasonhumphries9434]

I never thought there was so fascinating facts about the humble soldiers helmet!👍

[@samuelparker9882]

Jason Humphries May the designers of the Mark 7 helmet be blessed. I'm sure thier products saved many lives.

[@WandaII]

As a Finnish Army Medic I sure would've loved to hear about the Virtus helmet too in this video instead of just seeing a couple of still-ish video clips of it. Othervise a splendid video!

[@Thwack992]

It just hasn’t been out long enough to get an accurate idea of its efficiency. As time goes on we’ll hear more about it.

[@stahlhelmturtle9822]

The virtus is literally just a Revision Cobra helmet with a slightly modified chin cup

[@stahlhelmturtle9822]

@@Thwack992 The virtus is the exact same helmet as the Revision Cobra helmet but with a slightly modified chin cup

[@paulmorris3613]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting presentation.

[@rayg3583]

I like vids like this. Being a Yank in the USA. It's good to see how us brothers in arms went from the tin cans to our own versions of the Kevlar Specials Opps Helmets that almost look the same.

[@Kirkee7]

I don't know why we didn't take a note from the US style of helmets, instead we had dead head designers churning out tin pots for the first 50 years. I hated those ugly useless MK 5 .

[@stahlhelmturtle9822]

The new Virtus helmet is American made. It's the exact same helmet as the Revision Cobra helmet but with a slightly modified chin cup

[@mikeyoung7660]

Really good video mate really enjoyed it thank you

[@reddog8145]

Really interesting. Thank you for the video.

[@richardbaxter2057]

That was “pukka” vid, mate! Never seen a vid about our old “Battle Bowlers” and never thought that I would....hats off to you for doing it (no pun intended)! Btw, good pace on the delivery!

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

I'm writing a novel, a horror story and I'm using some of your work, if you don't mind. The tactics and techniques of soldiers. The book story is that the world has fallen and humanity is driven underground... The humans have patrol team's that go up on the surface during the day but never at night. My main character gets a team together to go up on the surface during the night with submachine guns and heavy weapons. They soon discovered the nightmares are true and soon return to base, underground. They left without authorisation and have to answer, they left base with 500 men patrol and 8 men returned, one of the survivors, being my main character. He had to go an action report to the commander and he's is shocked what he seen and how he survived. He soon volunteers to return to the surface once again with a larger team and more weapons. Disaster happens. I'll send you the book when written, if you want.

[@tom-kg2bj]

Hey lad a little late but i got pretty interested by the idea I would like to know the name of the book I love post apocalyptic stories

[@ike8236]

Nice. I've just finished my 17th Post apocalyptic book in just over 2 months so you could say I'm addicted, how long do you think until you finish mate and how to get a copy?

[@walkergargagliano142]

500 men is a little large for a patrol... something more like small battalion is probably what you are thinking of

[@MrJeremyWeeks]

Great video thanks. Answered all the questions I had!

[@ryerye5855]

LOVE IT! YOU EARNED A SUB! Respect from 🇵🇭

[@Harry-TramAnh]

Nice video, well put together and informative.

[@KP-viking88]

I remember standing there at as a 16 year old being measured for my Mk6 helmet fitting at Shorncliffe in 1988. Did a lot of tours with that Mk6, through thick and thin. Remember the lace on the inside top used to leave a pattern in your hair.

[@williamulsterman6771]

Were you Light Division, because in '88 i was 16 and joined the RGJ, Sir John Moore Barracks, Light Div depot. Lol, they didn't have a mark 6 small enough for me so i had to insert two field dressings in the bastard.

[@KP-viking88]

@@williamulsterman6771 Queens Division

[@blackpelicanapparel8184]

Very good video very impressed well thought out and put together great strong content

[@macklee6837]

Thanks! Great vid! 😀

[@TaZ101SAGA]

Great crash course, thank you for your time!

[@karood-dog3584]

Great video look forward to more.

[@bobaydeniz6535]

Great video, great helmets!

[@MartiA1973]

Oddly fascinating - thank you

[@martynm.449]

I didn't like the MK6. It was never the right size for me. It would flop down in front of my eyes. I had to rest the front lip of it on the SUSAT, in order to see anything. If I tried tightening the string inside, it would sit so high up on my head it looked stupid and probably wasn't even going to do a proper job. I never did 'grow into it'.

[@absolutelad7733]

I used to use a mk6 for airsoft, although it’s only airsoft, it is a real used mk6, and Iv had the same problem with it, I know just keep it as like a collectible 😂😂

[@iroquoispliskin6077]

@@absolutelad7733 I have a big head maybe it would fit me better, but for airsoft it would sit on top of the goggles so it may rest fine anyway.

[@willis2492]

Martyn M. The String was a nightmare Felt like it was cutting into the top of my head So uncomfortable

[@colp9492]

I took the string out and used a bit of foam from an ammo tin wrapped up in an FFD. Moulded to my head and made it so much more comfy, the virtus helmet is so much better!

[@martynm.449]

@@colp9492 My mate sewed the foam into the elbows and knees of his dpm. I thought it was a great idea.

[@ellaparker9090]

What amazing video well done I loved it so much and all good information .

[@sshep86]

Top job mate. I see your channel doing well. Subscribed.

[@garethfairclough8715]

Man, I hated going from the 6 to the 6A. I found the 6A far less comfortable, with the sizing being just that bit smaller than its predecessor. I remember everyone raving about how much "better" and "more comfortable" the A was, but my head just felt like it was being crushed in the A! That was around 2008, but the Mk 6 was still being issued and used widely well into 2012. Even in 2011, the mk7 was a special "theatre combat troops only" item. Hell, in 2011 (when I was in Afghanistan), the 7 was pretty much brand new. I had no idea it had been around since 09!

[@Wabaanimkii]

Great video!

[@InHerMajestiesDefense]

underated yt channel. needs more subs.

[@peterkell2341]

Fantastic presentation mucker DS info. New vert helmet excellent at the moment 🇬🇧.👍

[@jetsofthecoldwar1149]

Very useful video, thank you.

[@lunokhod3937]

i love the mk2 it has such an iconic look

[@toonmag508]

Well made video, entertaining and informative. As a civilian I like the profile of the Second World War infantry helmet. So British.

[@jerrybootneck1736]

Excellent video. Subscribed.

[@cs7359]

A really good and informative video, i enjoyed it ! Thanks for your effort. Keep it comeing and all the best from the "Stahlhelm-Country" :-)

[@ancientliaw1253]

Awesome! Love it.

[@Maximos75]

damn man this is some good educational footage .👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@HazardGameplayHD]

I've never worn any of the older helmets. But the new Virtus helmets are so comfortable!

[@peterwait641]

The 1980's tin lid was shit, if you ran with on the thing would bounce around and the spider centre spigot fixing would dig in your head with each bounce. Add this to the 58 pattern large pack bouncing and it made you run like you were pissed. Then some MP like Douglas ice cream head would tell some reporter that the UK armed forces had the best kit !

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Very interesting and well presented, thanks for the history lesson 👍🏼😊

[@Bugeye0704]

I have an old mk1 ww1 Helmet that was refitted for use in ww2 with the changes made for the mk2 I imagine there’s a lot of history under that helmet.

[@plummer816]

Great content for a small channel ! 👍🏻

[@ellisdiggle1523]

I cant believe how much the kit has changed. My dad joined up in the final days of the MK5 and left at the end of the MK7s life. Thats a long time.

[@xXJarvACEXx]

Just one to note, the secondary button on the Mk7 chinstrap offers you the ability to lengthen the strap for use with a respirator.

[@prophetcitrus9638]

I thought that would be added to the MK6 since it was used in Iraq where everybody thought Saddam had chemical weaponry so everybody wore chemical suits 24/7, why would it be on the MK7?

[@mickbourne3028]

Some of us used to add a key ring to the chinstrap of our mk 6 for ease of fitting with respirator

[@woodrow1037]

Interesting video, thanks

[@alfred9895]

I have a Mk.V, and oh my days it is bloody comfortable to wear.

[@michaeldiaz9091]

Fantastic video 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👌

[@usingtheirhypocracyagainst8636]

the Germans had the most sophisticated helmet design since the newest helmets imitate their shape in most ways. even the reversible camo was years ahead of the game...

[@user-hq4zu6wd9p]

Отличное видео! Прекрасно изложенный материал!!

[@brianfuller7691]

Fascinating video for a vital piece of British militaria

[@rocksteel44]

...EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY MUCH ENJOYED THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT MUSIC TOO...

[@Copykingjake]

Love your vids

[@nicothenitro846]

Great video! You should do one one the history of British uniforms

[@chrishewitt4220]

When we got our Mk 6s issued to us, we attached a pair of grenade pin rings to the chinstrap ring so we could still fasten the chin strap when wearing the new S10 respirators we got.

[@badmacdonald]

very interesting

[@richardduplessis1090]

The Americans have basically modified the German helmet of WW2, and Britain should do the same, as it's clearly the best design.

[@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791]

Clearly the best design, you say? The Germans didn't seem to think so and that's why they redesigned their helmets and had a new model ready. Unfortunately, they lost the war and it was up to the East German People's Army (Nationale Volksarmee) to implement the improved helmets, since the newly reconstituted West German army (Bundeswehr) simply wore the WWII Septic lids given to them by the US. MsG

[@specialunit0428]

@@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791 Exactly.

[@richardduplessis1090]

@@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791 Yes, - the best design which is why the current US army helmet is an evoilved form of that original design. The tradition soup bowl British helmet was merely an historic artifcact dating back centuries that offered almost no protection and was difficult to run in. If you've even worn one you'd understand.

[@iseeyou8219]

@@richardduplessis1090 100% right,I definitely agree with you.

[@richardduplessis1090]

@@gionncaomhinmorpheagh4791 - as a matter of interest which helmets do you consider to be better than the German helmit, or its modern American variant.?

[@brianwhitby2703]

great content

[@javathechava26]

interesting video I enjoyed watching that.

[@davidsirett5560]

i have 2 mk 2 helmets at home one has the remnants of the sprung chin strap the other is rusted to hell and looks like it has been in the sea for a while i also have 2 mk 5 helmets. nice and informative film thank you.

[@paulanthonyjohns]

nice job man.

[@lockyloxton4409]

This was actually rly interesting

[@ReviveHF]

Both Mainland China and Taiwan adopted a new ballistic helmet which is identical to the Virtus helmet(the last helmet shown in the video) around the same time as the Brits.

[@fluffycat087]

Nice, thanks.

[@garycumningham169]

I wore the MK 5 and MK6 in my service. I remember them telling us it was the best thing since sliced bread. Sure enough it was a huge leap forward to the MK5 but i watched a video on here were they carried out a balistic test to see what it would stop. In the end all it would save you from was someone giving you a side ways glance.

[@davedickinson822]

Gary Cumningham T’was also good for getting launched by a thunderflash

[@garycumningham169]

@@davedickinson822 Good for punting the MK 5 70 -80 foot in the air LOL

[@seiner0ne]

My grandpa was a major in the British army in India and a captain in hong kong

[@anthonyhill8061]

kits come a long way from when I was in...… thank god :)

[@northernleigonare]

Nice video. I would probably look at making your mic quieter but overall it was an interesting video to watch.

[@michaelpage7691]

You gave a very succinct oration on the development of the British helmets development. Very interesting. 👍🏻🇦🇺😁

[@jonathanpipe8249]

Jeez I bloody hated the mk5 steel helmet when we got issued them !

[@MrBasinator]

Nice vid mate. Could you do one about Dutch helmets as well perhaps? Cheers.

[@darthsarcastus1064]

Still using my Mk7, had to beg to get that issued and didn't get it until 2014! Was running around with the bloody heavy Mk6A from 2007 for 7 years. Will probably have to beg to replace my Mk7 with Virtus just as a new one comes into service.

[@fatboy2338]

Brilliant cheers

[@mrbosh0115]

Good one ,still got me kevlar somewhere .

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Love the MK III very well ❗💯

[@metronetrail]

Was in the RCT - We still had Mk 5s in 1989, every one had itchy heads and the liners were always filthy and worn out, who knows how many others had worn the helmet i had, doubt the liner had ever been changed, never had any liner replacements. Only those being posted to Northern Ireland got the MK 6s when they got there and normally had them taken of them before they left, but some of our guys, stole them, so we had a few with them in 1988/89. I got issued my MK 6 which was too small for me, always felt like my head was in a vice, QM would not give me a larger size, so i cut out some of the padding and also made my own one from army compo boxes, masking tape and stealing some rags from the rag bin in the REME work shop. (The rags were old uniforms) and i say stealing due to if you got caught taking any of the rags you could be charged (which nearly happened to me once) I had the lightest helmet in the whole world.

[@dulls8475]

The helmet i was issued was always called the DDay helmet (1983) and it was bloody uncomfortable. And then came the Mk 6 with helmet covers that did not fit........The Mk 6 had very poor ballistic protection. Tests are on U tube.

[@regvarney8055]

Mk 6 was 1986 , as we were issued with them prior to a Northern Ireland tour

[@rpm1796]

Well Done.

[@Legionnaire7777]

Mk6 was a pain in the neck!

[@n.i.t.f919]

Literally

[@paulroberts3686]

That sir, was a very well made vid.

[@fatrick5004]

Great video. Odd to start on the MK 2 though, would have been more complete to get the mk 1 also

[@davidmcintyre998]

Mk 1 star is an interesting helmet inbetween the Brodie and the Mk 2.

[@thecuttingsark5094]

I was issued the Mk 6. Hated it.

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

Were not the MkII helmets not given a rehash in the 50's ? painted with a olive drab paint with sand in it to give a rough finish and the webbing chin strap replaced with a fully elastic one ? I have owned several of these type

[@forlorndream1400]

I wore the Mk6 helmet, it'd not long been introduced when I enlisted. It was comfy but if I dropped prone while carrying a bergen the helmet would be pushed up at the back and completely cover my eyes at the front.