Latest addition to the ARG collection

Presumably it is a steel helmet probably standard RAF issue in case of air attack rather than on-the-job construction protection.

Is it a Brodie Mk2 with a spring built into the strap ?

While my Father was driving a lorry to build our local airfield he had been issued with a gas mask but no tin hat.

When he transferred to the airfield works dept he was issued with a steel Brodie to perform an ARP function as it increased his petrol coupon entitlement until later when they were issued with some type of jeep vehicle.

My recollection is that they were not permitted to hand paint any emblems on to the Brodie ~ It had to be an approved mark or letter.

I believe that the American Airfield Construction operatives were able to add additional markings.

I believe that there was also a MK3 version in 44/45 ~ My Fathers had been a MK1 without the spring built into the strap.

But will it withstand this?

Is that what they call an M1 ?

Mangalloy Steel ?

I heard that the early versions were welded up the front and the later ones welded up the back ( Don't know if that's correct )

By the way its damaged and bent backwards it could have been a fatality impact from a cannon shell ~ liner inserts by Firestone Tyre Company or was it General Motor's ?

The Helmet marking is not RAF; It is the marking of an Royal Engineers Airfield Construction Group; A Group comprised an HQ , 2 x Road Construction Companies and 2 x Pioneer Companies. The marking was applied to vehicles instead of a Brigade or Divisional mark.


The vehicle is a MACK initially employed as an artillery tractor but by 1944 many various types of artillery tractor were transferred to RE units to tow various plant carrying trailers.

In your dreams maybe, but wouldn't these make a great addition to the Archive!

The forum doesn't accept a link to the Ebay web page, so here is a scren shot to help you find the page:

A set of 19 blueprints drawn up when the hangar was extended to 777ft.