Hełm wz. 50
| Hełm wz. 50 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Combat helmet |
| Place of origin | Polish People's Republic |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950-1967 (Polish People's Army) |
| Used by | See Users for details |
| Wars | Vietnam War Six-Day War Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia Yom Kippur War Iran-Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Huta Ludwików Huta Silesia |
| Produced | 1950-1967 |
The Wz50 (Polish: Hełm wz. 50) is a steel combat helmet produced in Poland from 1950 to 1967. During the Cold War helmet would be widely exported to a number of Arab countries for its low price.[1]
Design
After 1945, production of helmets wz. 31/50 (using pre-war resources) was not sufficient for the expanding Polish People's Army. In 1950, it was decided to launch the production of a new domestic helmet based on soviet pattern. The shell is another Warsaw Pact copy of the Soviet SSh-40 design, along with the Czech M53 and Hungarian M70, the liner and chinstrap was influenced by the Italian M33.[2][3]
The helmet was made by stamping from a special steel sheet with a thickness of 1.4 millimeters. The shell being painted a dark green color for the army and blue for the air force and navy. The liner is held in place by three rivets and based primarily off the Italian M33 helmet with its eight leather tongues, rivet placement along with the chin strap as well.[1][4] Early pre-production helmets by a double riveted chinstrap and cow skin leather liner. All models of helmet would include an maker and manufacture stamp.[2][5] Starting in 1962 branch specific stenciled insignia would be applied to the front. A variant for use by the civil defense was developed which featured a prominent crest on top and insignia on the side with its respective city.[6]
Users
Albania[7]
China
Croatia[8][9][10]
Egypt
Iraq: Replaced by the M80.[11]
Israel: Captured by the Israeli Army.[12]
North Vietnam[13]
Poland: Replaced in 1967 by the wz. 67 helmet.[14]
Syria[15]
See also
Bibliography
- Kijak, Jacek (1993) Hełmy Wojska Polskiego 1917–1991, Warszawa: Bellona, ISBN 83-11-07997-8.
- McNab, Chris (20 January 2022). Armies of the Iran–Iraq War 1980–88. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-4558-0.
References
- ^ Marzetti, Paolo (1996). Combat Helmets of the World. Ermatto Albertini Editore. p. 204. ISBN 88-85909-64-7.
- ^ a b "Poland Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ "Polish Wz.50 Helmet". www.lawranceordnance.com. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ Suciu, Peter. "From Behind the Iron Curtain: Communist Bloc Helmets". Military Trader/Vehicles. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ Suciu, Peter. "From Behind the Iron Curtain: Communist Bloc Helmets". Military Trader/Vehicles. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ "polaco 50 con cimera". www.cascoscoleccion.com. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ^ "Albania Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "WZ. 50 Helmet camo question". www.warrelics.eu. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ "Croatia Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ "Polish Wz 50 grouping". www.warrelics.eu. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ McNab 2022, pp. 38, 50.
- ^ "Israel Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "NVA Anti Aircraft Gunners Steel Helmet | Collectors Weekly". www.collectorsweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ "Poland Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Syria Wz50". Brendon's Helmets. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
External links
- Poland Wz50 at brendonshelmets.weebly.com