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Israel. British HSAT Mark II Helmet Used by Israeli Army Paratroopers
In 1940, the British Army developed the Type P helmet for its airborne troops, designed by Major John Rock and inspired by the German Model 38 helmet. Manufactured by Briggs Motor Bodies, it provided both ballistic protection and impact resistance for jumps. Around 500–1,000 units were produced and first used during Operation Biting (1942).
That same year, an improved version, the HSAT (Helmet, Steel, Airborne Troops), was introduced, featuring a cotton suspension system and reinforced rim. Produced between May and October 1942, it became the standard paratrooper helmet of the British Army during World War II.
After the war, many of these helmets were exported to Israel for the newly formed Israel Defense Forces (IDF or Tzahal). The IDF refurbished these helmets, replacing missing or damaged parts and repainting them. During the War of Independence, the HSAT was distributed across various units, not limited to airborne troops. However, from 1950 onward, the helmets returned to their original paratrooper use when the first Israeli Paratrooper School was established, led by British instructor Derek Bowden. The HSAT Mark II remained in service even during the Six-Day War.
This example was manufactured in 1943 during World War II and later reused by the Israel Defense Forces. The paint is the sand color typical of the IDF, and it features three smooth external rivets — characteristic of helmets refurbished in Israel — along with one original screw-type rivet.
The liner is marked “BMB 1943” from the manufacturer Briggs Motor Bodies and shows the production year. The inner pad was replaced with a cross-shaped cushion, a common modification on Israeli helmets. The chinstrap is the Israeli model without holes on the metal ends.
The helmet is complete and in good condition.
