Hi all, I'm going to attept to convert some figures from the scrapbox into Vietnam era Military Police, circa 1968/69 to go on a small dio with my Hobbyboss M706. I've got a load of resin torsos, some dragon arms etc, but am I right in thinking the MP's helmets are bare metal M1 helmets painted black? In all the shots I've seen on the web, its hard to tell... I was hoping some Hornet's like these would do: M1
Any help gratefully received.
Thanks, Richard

I have seen m1 Helmets painted black with no covers on just like the Hornet set!

Martyn

im doing an mp diorama im also using an m706

Yup, most MP units painted their helmets black and had their unit crest on them or a white band w/MP on the sides. This was usually in cities and on bases though when they were wearing khakis or a more dress uniform, not in the field. When they went on patrols or convoys, standard jungle fatigues and helmet covers were usually worn.

Here's a example (from http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28115 ) 25th MP Company - 25th Inf Div
:




More info about MP units in Vietnam :
http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/vietnam.htm

HTH

Frenchy

Thanks guys... I just bought the M1 helmet set from Hornet, so now I'm hoping (since the liner looks to be exactly the same shape as the pot) it looks right in 1/35th. The dio is planned for an urban road patrol, giving covering fire to a couple of newsmen caught up. It should look like that photo of the Newport Bridge (even though they were ARVN units) whilst under mortar attack, or from this ITN news report: ITN NEWS

IIRC, the helmets that come with Tamiya's US Armored Troop set (#35117) are undersized. Maybe they would be OK for liners


Frenchy

the m1 helmet in vietnam was different to the second world war one the vietnam was lowered and pronounced dome shape at the top forward section


you could get away with the m1 helmtes you wouldnt really notice because of the scale of the helmet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Helmet

the MP hat wasnt changed but the infantry was my mistake

Gary et al,

I apologise for taking this slightly off-topic, or slightly back in time to WWII, but was the helmet configuration (for lack of a "only had one cup of coffee this morning" word) also worn by late-war (WWII) MP's in the same manner - i.e. black liner as described above in cities and OD helmet with broad white band with letters MP to the front in the field? Was any unit insignia worn on the helmet during WWII?

This is with specific reference to ETO.

TIA

Rudi

The greatest thing about Wikipedia is that any one can edit it,
The worst thing about Wikipedia is that any one can edit it.

Thanks Gary

Jim Stewart ex Vietnam Era, Mil.Pol, has an excellent site on the Military Police of the Vietnam War. Google Military Police of the Vietnam War and his site usually turns up at the top. Lots of original photos submitted by MPs.
Good value...and a nice bloke. I, also, am ex Mil.Pol, SIB.
Tony

Thanks for the info, guys! I have that Tamiya Armored Troop set, plus two of the Command set, and some spare bare helmets from the PBR's that I've built... When the Hornet heads come through, I can do a size comparison...
I'm getting the US APC head set (1960s) from hornet to use one for the driver but am I right in thinking they tried to appropriate helo pilots helmets? (I think I read it in a Verlinden Showcase featuring an M706) Would the driver of an M706 wear different headgear than the occupants?
taa