composite helmets index

POLAND

Wz.64

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"Getting in as a 'composite' helmet in that it is obviously not steel, this helmet is made of either plastic or fibreglass (depending on your reference) and was/is used by Military Police and other non-combatant units. This is not a particularly robust helmet - see the flaking at the edge on this example.
There is also a Wz.64-67 version which has a similar shell, but with a different liner-rivet pattern, and a different liner - see here"

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL

 

Wz.70

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"A plastic helmet intended for non-combat use - has the same liner as the Polish Wz75"

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL

 

Wz.93

This helmet has a makers' mark for RESAL, and also has the characters 1/96-0 which may indicate the year 1996.

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See also two variants of this type immediately below -
NB there is a distinct difference in weight between at east two of these:
this standard army wz.93 = 1376g
black police/security issue below = 1414g

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL - with many thanks to
PIOTR KOZIEL

see here for more information on wz.93, and here for more on Polish composites (scroll down).

 

Wz.93 - manufactured by BELLA, a rare example.

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Photographs supplied by
PIOTR KOZIEL

 

RSL-10 - a variant of the Wz.93

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"Here is a Wz-93 variant, the RSL-10 with an Israeli type chin-strap catch. It is also heavier compared to the original  with the press-stud type fastening. It was made by Bella manufacturing in Warsaw in 1993."

Photographs supplied by
ROGER LUCY

 

Wz.93 variant - possibly police/security services?

No makers/users marks anywhere, except for "National Molding Stealth 20" moulded into the plastic chinstrap buckle receiver.

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Helmet is jet-black.

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Blood group indicator on rear of helmet.

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Liner is different to that of the standard-issue Wz.93 - see above.

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The liner has a  Riddell-style set of three loops with adjustment cord,  but lacks the central crown pad as seen in the standard Wz.93 above.

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The rivets - in style and position - are different to those on this standard army-issue Wz.93

This example weighs 1414g, as compared to the army-issue example above, which is 1376g, and the army-issue appears to have a more substantial liner - therefore is the shell itself reinforced and therefore heavier?

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This small oval sticker was found underneath the expanded polystyrene liner pad. It may have no significance as so far it cannot be connected to any Polish manufacturer or military/police service

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL
with thanks to Piotr Koziel

 

Wz.2000

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chinstrap catch detail - a slide-in metal tab, similar in principle to those on the German B826 and other European helmets.

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see here for more information on wz.2000, and here for more on Polish composites (scroll down).

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL - with many thanks for vital assistance to PIOTR KOZIEL

 

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Compare&contrast the sides of the Wz.93 (left) and the Wz.2000 (right).
The Wz93 has a surprisingly slab-sided aspect - the sides, front and rear are very flat compared to the rounded moulding of most composite helmets.

 

Wz.2005

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Batch number ?

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MASKPOL - manufacturers stamp.

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Chinstrap fastener detail - metal tag slides into square reciever - press to release.

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Safety fastening - appears to have arrowhead insert.

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Detail of a version of the Nosha liner.

A surprisingly heavy helmet - I believe this is a medium size, and it weighs 1528g.
Some comparisons -
large UK Mk6 = 1452g
medium UK 6A = 1628g,
medium (I think) Slovenian Veplas = 1048g
medium Swedish Hjalm 90 = 1345g
German 828 size 52-59, 'medium' (?) = 1522g.

A new version of the wz.2005 (wz.2008 ?) has the same shell with a four-point rather than three-point chintstrap arrangement, and a different chinstrap clasp. SEE BELOW.

Please also see here , an excellent Polish website (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Photographs supplied by
GREG PICKERSGILL
- with many thanks for vital assistance to PIOTR KOZIEL

 

Wz.2005 - made by MASKPOL, with details of the later four-point chinstrap.

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Photographs supplied by
PIOTR KOZIEL

 

MORATEX BK-4/M PIORUN II  - primarily for police/special forces use.

"According to the Institute of Security Technology (Poland) website,the Composite Helmet BK-4/M PIORUN II is intended for military special units. It is made in compliance with the PN-V-87001:1999 Standard based on Stanag 2920.
The helmet consists of:
- a lightweight, composite shell (black or khaki) which provides resistance to bullets and fragments,
- a fastening and shock absorbing insert (“Nosher” style), designed for adjusting the helmet to the user’s head size and for absorbing impacts energy,
- a harness to provide firm and comfortable fastening
- an outer cover (not shown) made of fabric dyed to comply with the “Pantera” protective pattern or single-coloured; The cover fabric may feature camouflage properties both in the visible and infrared light.
The helmet is resistant to 9mm, 8g Parabellum FMJ bullets at the impact velocity of 345+15m/s while the dynamic deflection (trauma) doesn’t exceed 32mm. Resistance to fragments: impact velocity V50 > 600m/s, trauma 20mm or less, weight of fragment 1.1g.
The helmet fits head circumference 54 up to 58cm and it weighs 1.6kg (any size).
"

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Photographs supplied by
ADRIAN BLAKE

 

Wz.HD3 - soundproofed helmet for artillery crews.

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"From the 70s,  used by artillery crewmen - it has a sound-deadening system apparently...I've included a pic of the wires...the leather padded edge ensures a near-perfect fit around the head taking most of the sound away without the electronics."

Photographs supplied by
ADRIAN BLAKE

 

Test and pre-production shells of the Wz93 and Wz2000

Wz93

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Wz2000

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photographs supplied by
MARIUSZ

 

HCB-99

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A composite 'skullcap' type helmet designed for use with communications headsets. Made in Poland by RESAL. Small or limited use.

see here for more information on this helmet, and here for more on Polish composites (scroll down).

photographs supplied by
MARIUSZ