composite helmets index

SERBIA

MILE DRAGIC - M97

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 MILE DRAGIC WEBSITE

Photographs supplied by
BOB BAKER

 

MILE DRAGIC - M97

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Please note - the entire chinstrap assembly has been removed from this example.

Photographs supplied by
ADRIAN BLAKE

 

French F2 Spectra type supplied to SERBIA

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Note no 'Armee Francais' marking on this stamp.

Photographs supplied by
ERIC LACAZE

 

 

Here is an interesting and instructive case of how mistakes may be made. The helmet shown below was presented - in all good faith - by Canadian collector Brett Takeuchi as a new version of the Serbian Mile Dragic M97. There was no reason to suspect anything wrong until some months later I recieved an email from a Serbian collector who knew the background story of this particular helmet -

"In Serbia there is not a new model of helmet that you specified in your category  - "The newest version of the SV M97 is a cross between the older SV M97 and the French F2 Spectra. The shell is clearly Mile Dragic. The suspension and chinstrap are copied from the F2 Spectra with one notable difference. The suspension fastens in the helmet with snap fasteners."

That helmet I made from shell of  SV M97 "Veci Model" (large model) and a liner from Gallet that was in use in Serbian Police from 1998. And I have used it for airsoft in Belgrade. When I bought a new helmet I sold the M97 at auction called "LIMUNDO" in Serbia. The man who bought it from me then sold it on Ebay.

This is a link to my auctions and pictures of this helmet, Please pay attention to the screws that I painted in the other green color than the helmet painted. http://www.limundo.com/kupovina/kevlarski-slem-/996291 (link dead now, unfortunately).

Factory Mile Dragic MD produces two types of helmet SV M97 "manji"- Small and MD97 "veci" - Large and and other ballistic equipment. This is a link to the factory website - http://www.armyequipment.com/ "

Our thanks go to this anonymous (his choice) Serbian for being so kind as to give us the facts.

Brett Takeuchi adds - " When I purchased it (a private purchase not on eBay) the seller, a Serbian gentleman, stated it was the newest version of the SV-97.  When I first saw the pictures he sent of it, I though it was one of the F2 Spectras that Serbia had gotten from France and were using.  The seller was quick to correct me that it was in fact a SV-97.  I don't know he if was aware of the history and misrepresented the origin of the helmet or if he was blisfully unaware as I was.  Regardless I don't think helmets that have been tampered with by civilians should be included on the website. In my mind it doesn't belong on the site at all as it is not a manufactured pattern nor is it a field modification by serving troops."

Greg Pickersgill concludes - While I actually agree with and entirely understand Brett's feelings about the helmet not being appropriate for the site I also think the whole story is sufficiently interesting and instructive - even people who know what they're doing can make honest mistakes (and that means Us) - that it is worth keeping on for the time being. Just remember - this is not a genuine helmet !

Mile Dragic SV M97 - new model? No, it is not, see above.

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front.jpg

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interior with chinstrap.jpg

Interior with chinstrap present.

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Interior.

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Interior without liner.

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Chincup.

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Left strap detail.

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Chinstrap bracket.

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Rear strap loop.

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Rear strap detail.

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Rear strap detail.

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Liner.

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Liner.

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Chinstrap

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Liner, side view

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"The newest version of the SV M97 is a cross between the older SV M97 and the French F2 Spectra.  The shell is clearly Mile Dragic.  The suspension and chinstrap are copied from the F2 Spectra with one notable difference.  The suspension fastens in the helmet with snap fasteners."

This helmet was actually made by a Serbian enthusiast, who fited a spare Gallet suspension into a M97 shell.

 This has now been proved to be a true 'composite' made with a MD shell and a Gallet liner by a Serbian airsoft enthusiast.
PLEASE NOTE - There is no M97 with a Gallet-type liner!

Photographs supplied by
BRETT TAKEUCHI.

 

Israeli Orlite helmet as used by Police in Yugoslavia.

 "During the war 1992 in former Yugoslavia, Serbia  bought about 2,000 Israeli helmets for the police, which were painted over in blue, and  were used until 2000."

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Photographs supplied by
DARKO MILJANOVIC