French M51 Tank/Armoured Car Helmet
The French M51 Tank/Armoured Car Helmet, officially known as the Sous-casque radio char modèle 1951 ("Undershell radio tank model 1951"), is a specialized protective headpiece designed for French armored vehicle crews during the Cold War. It is distinct from the standard M51 "steel pot" infantry helmet but was designed to integrate with it as part of a modular system.
Key Features and Design
- Dual-Layer System: The helmet was designed as a "skull cap" that could be worn alone inside the cramped confines of a tank or armored car. For additional ballistic protection when dismounting, the crew could place the standard M51 OTAN steel shell directly over it.
- Materials:
- Early Models: Constructed from leather with ventilation holes.
- Later Variants (M51 2nd Type): Made from lighter, more durable materials like Céléron (bakelized cotton) or injected nylon.
- Radio Integration: While it lacked factory-integrated radio equipment in the earliest versions, the design featured a "Riddell-type" suspension system. This allowed crews to comfortably wear independent communication headsets and earphones.
- Appearance: Typically finished in a flat olive drab green to match the standard army issue gear.
Evolution and Service
- Origins: Developed to replace a mix of WWII-era equipment, including US M1 helmets and the French M1935 tanker models.
- Combat Use: It was the standard crewman helmet during the Algerian War and remained in service through the 1960s.
- Successor: The M51 was eventually evolved into the M65 Tanker Helmet (Casque de chars radio Modèle 1965), which featured factory-integrated earphones and a communication connector port.
