M-1 Helmet Body "Weight Limit"

Big Red here with a question from "John Connor"...

So, TAKE FIVE!

John asks,

"Big Red, I have a whole bunch of helmet questions about this weight and failure problem stuff you were talking about, can you help? "

You bet John but let’s take them one question at a time… 

Ok sweet,
The first thing is, I want to understand this weight thing correctly. You said that the Army put a 3-pound limit on the helmet assembly, and you explained how small part changes helped the liner make weight. Does this mean that the helmet was good to go or were changes required to make weight there as well?

Superb question John,

When the Army officially placed a 3-pound weight limit on the M-1 helmet assembly, Engineers at McCord were faced with some difficult decisions. Because there was a ballistics requirement to consider and understanding that a thicker, heavier helmet shell meant a higher ballistic performance they began by minimizing the weight of the liner and suspension first.

The fibre liner body, supplied by Hawley Products Company, was as light as the manufacturing process would allow leaving any potential weight reduction up to McCord’s re-evaluation of the suspension system. Through multiple small changes, McCord was able to maintain the weight of the finished liner at 8.625 ounces. 

This left 39.375 ounces for the complete helmet, which after accounting for loops, rim, welds, straps, hardware, texture and paint McCord was forced to reduce the final gauge, or thickness, of the helmet in order to get down to the required weight. 

This was not a happy choice for two reasons, first reducing the thickness of the helmet would reduce its ballistic performance and secondly a thinner helmet would compound a nasty little production breakage problem that had been plaguing the helmets manufacture. 

and John,

Big Red Says!

FIVE'S OVER  -  MOVE OUT!