Hi there!
I have a question for the experts on british equipment from WWII.
I am in the process of making some improvements to an old dragon red devil figure, and knowing that the armoured vest developed by the british was used for some soldiers during the Market Garden operation, I wanted to schratbuild one for my figure.
I searched on internet for some reference images, but I only got some plates showing the frontal plates of the vest.
My question is: Did it have some back plates as well? Where can I find some pictures showing the whole vest?
Thanks in advance,

Cheers,
Pablo

Pablo,
There's a very good picture of the front & back of this armour in "The World War II Tommy", by Martin Brayley & Richard Ingram (published by Crowood), on p100. I did try to upload a scanned photo of the page, but can't seem to get into the photo galleries to do it. The back piece was kind of upside down "T" shape covering the kidneys and the base of the spine. The whole set was intended to be worn under the battle dress, and was connected by webbing straps, but those who opted to wear it seemed to to wear it over the top of their uniform.

Steve,

Mate, thanks for your kind and prompt reply. Will check that book.
Cheers,

Pablo

A small photo



Gérard

Hi all , let me explode the myths about this bullet proof vest . Firstly it was used mainly by glider piliots and very few paras .
Secondly it was not worn under the battle dress but over the top of a denison jacket or battle dress blouse. easy to get rid off if wearer became fatigued .
Very few photos show it being worn in battle .
there is one of a don r wearing one on a m/c but i think it was taken on exersise in the uk .
All is based on 40 years as a researcher and collator to private military uniform museum . cheers ian

Hi there,

@gerardt: thanks for the photo. very useful indeed.

@ian; thanks for the information; yes, it is true, the vest was primarily used during training, however I understand that one or two paras/pilots where photographed wearing the vest during the early stages of the Arnhem campaign ...

Again, thanks all for the answers, very enlightening!!!
Cheers,

Pablo

Here's a couple of photos of it being worn

Hi!

Steve, great pic! Thanks once again!

After reading all your suggestion and information, I came across this images. Two of them are from "British Army Uniforma and Insignia of World War Two", by Brian L. Davis,





And this pic is from a reenactment event.



Thanks guys for your input. I will post some pictures of the figure once it is done.

Interesting element this vest, I'd say.

Cheers.