"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
these are nice pictures! I like the naming, 'gros' and 'petit'... I favourise the last picture with the crew: they're both standing a bit 'uit het lood', not completely upright, making a great composition. Is that petit tank a radio tank?
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
Thanks for the info both of you! The helmets, I guess these are the type with the front peak of an Adrian removed and replaced by that leather cushion? I think they look much better that these rather odd fighter pilot types, with leather cushioning all around and on top, that other nations used. It might be the photograph but it looks if the man (commander?) on the right is wearing something in a lighter color. The Radio Tank: how did they transmit, with Morse keys?
In front of the Renault TSF, the man (on right) wear a blue uniform's jacket (bleu horizon). The other man (on left) wear the leather coat. Trousers are working models (bourgeron) for mechanics in french tank's units.
The helmet is the regulatory model from the end of the war. Not far aways from Adrian model 1915 (with leather in front helmet). You can see photos of this helmet on parad's postcards from Metz, Strabourg an Mutzig (in December 1918) and on photos from victory parad in Paris in July 1919.
The Helmet's model from 1926 is different from war model.
I just wanted to ask about the later 1926 helmet but you were ahead! Was that 1926 helmet still "looking like an Adrian" or was that already the helmet without a crest? Strangely enough the crest came back on some models after 1945, but I am not sure these were tank helmets. (they had the leather in front too).
The only problem is about modified Helmet, done by some tank's teams during the war. It's always difficult to known if their are true war tank's helmets or a wrong tank's helmet, done after the war (and even during the forty last years . . . .). Modified french tank's helmets of the 1WW are a "Gold Mine" on Ebay !
Michel
PS - You can found on "Delcampe" many tank's postcard from twenties and forties.
thank you very much for the information, these websites are great!(and good for polishing up my French too!). I knew that these helmets are not exactly cheap, but one day I will be lucky... Before that I will study the theme: as you mentioned there are 'originals' and 'originals'. I see on one of the sites that the l'armee de l'air had these helmets too. Were they for ground personel, anti aircraft or something or for flying crew?
I don't known this helmet. Nothing for me, out of french tank 1916-1918 !
About true modified french tank's helmet, the best is to received this helmet from the family or to found owner's name and unit inside the helmet.
Don't forget that we don't only found artillery helmet in the Artillerie Spéciale. Officers coming from Cavalerie, Infanterie, Génie . . . . Kept their original uniform and helmet.
It's very easy to do a "vrai/faux" french tank helmet, an probably a lot of these helmets are already waiting for WW1 centenary . . . . ! I think that french attics are full up of these helmets for export !
Michel
-- Edited by Tanker on Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 09:11:50 AM
yes, there are lots of attics, garden sheds and cellars and lots of 'granddads' suddenly giving away very original helmets... I guess you can just take of the front peak of an Adrian and rivet a piece of an old leather handbag from Grandma on it and there you are... Anyhow, thank you for your advise!
