Author Topic: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads  (Read 4587 times)

andy

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 369
what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« on: August 04, 2014, 05:17:27 PM »
Out of curiosity, what did the halftrack drivers wear as head protection in the halftrack, GI helmets? tankers helmets? what kind of goggles? I cant ever remember reading anything about this

Andy
1943 M4A1 (restored to M2A1)

Dinadin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 220
    • Schafer's Folly
Re: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2014, 07:43:01 PM »
All of the pictures I have seen they have M1 helmets on, just like the standard infantry.  As for the goggles a lot the pictures many of the drivers don't have any goggles.
Rich

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke

Schafer's Folly - Halftrack Restoration

mcfolks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2014, 06:57:20 AM »
What Rich said- they would have had the standard infantry uniform with standard helmet as they weren't really considered a heavy armored vehicle. And it still hurts if you whack your head getting in if you didn't wear one! Goggles would be anything they had available or on hand.

col.halftrack

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 382
Re: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2014, 08:24:15 AM »
 Not to get to specific but not really as standard infantry but as armored infantry. Standard Inf would have a cartridge belt attached to a backpack/ knapsack. whereas the halftrack crew would have been issued a musette bag and used suspenders on their web gear. Not a big deal but thought I would split hairs  :)
1941 White M2
1942 White M4A1 was M4
1942 Autocar M2A1
1942 Autocar M3-75
1943 White M13 rebuilt as M16
1943 Diamond T M3A1

Dinadin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 220
    • Schafer's Folly
Re: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2014, 07:23:45 PM »
Not to get to specific but not really as standard infantry but as armored infantry. Standard Inf would have a cartridge belt attached to a backpack/ knapsack. whereas the halftrack crew would have been issued a musette bag and used suspenders on their web gear. Not a big deal but thought I would split hairs  :)

My impression I have almost all Musette bags on my halftrack, but I have seen a picture of AI from 2nd Armored in Normandy.  They had the limited camo HBTs on and haversacks on the side of the halftrack.  Then again I have also seen video of the 2nd Armored in England with all musette bags during training.
Rich

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke

Schafer's Folly - Halftrack Restoration

47lincsled

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 160
Re: what did halftrack drivers wear on their heads
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2014, 06:24:00 PM »
 Yeah but those tanker helmets look so cool! If I ever find one at a reasonable cost I wear it for parades. Usually I wear a liner, not so heavy but still gives you a little protection