Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224
Sweatbands were initially produced in two sizes: XS (8470-01-092-8492) and SML (8470-01-092-8493). The first three initially designed sizes (S/M/L) required only one size of sweatbands. The XS size designed at the end of the 1970 would also include a small-sized sweatband. After introduction of the XL helmet, a new longer sweatband was standardized as well (8470-01- 303-8946). SML and XL sweatbands in that form were pro- duced until the contract SPO100-96-D-EE59 dated 24 June 1996, while XS sweatbands – until the contract SPO100-04-F-EF77 dated 15 September 1994. Due to the replacement of the suspension with a wider one, a wider sweatband was also introduced and it solved the problem of the inconvenient clasps. They were replaced with Velcro to be attached on the Vel- cro straps of the webbing. The color of the nylon was changed to CG483. New sweatbands were standard- ized on 5 March 1997 under the following NSNs: XS – 8470-01-442-1434 SML – 8470-01-442-1429 XL – 8470-01-442-1430. The production of new sweatbands started on 1 April 1998 (SPO100-98-D-EB84). Production of XS and XL sizes ended with the SPO100-02-D-EA59 (17 December 2005). The SML size in CG483 was still pro- duced in 2008 under SPM1C1-06-D-F011. On 20 January 2005, new sweatbands were intro- duced, in Foliage Green 504. They received new NSNs: XS – 8470-01-526-8462 SML – 8470-01-526-8463 XL – 8470-01-526-8464 New sweatbands were produced under SPO100- 02-D-EA59 (10 January 2005) and until SPM1C1-14- F-B001 (3 October 2013). However, not all of the sizes were manufactured throughout the whole period. CHINSTRAP The chinstrap (NSN 8470-01-092-7534) initially consisted of a cotton chin cup and nylon band that at- tached the strap to the helmet shell. One of the bands was divided into two sections fastened with a Pull The Dot fastener. OD7 webbing were used. The strap had two clasps for length adjustment on both sides of the chin cup. In the case of the earliest versions of chin- straps mounted on pre-1987 helmets, the whole cup between the adjustment clasps were cotton. In the case of later helmets, the construction of the cup was changed to a nylon band lined with cotton only in the sections that had contact with the chin (the earliest con- tracts dated 1986, production 1987-88). In the 1990s, the color of band was changed from OD7 to CG483. It is however very difficult to determine the year in which the specification changed. Bearing in mind the fact that only Medium helmets were produced in the 1990s, it can be assumed that the majority of PASGT helmets of the 1980s and the 1990s had chinstraps with OD7 ny- lon parts, while CG483 chinstraps appeared no sooner than in the PASGT produced in the 2000s, in a version with modernized suspension or as replacements (but also no sooner than at the end of the 1990s). Green chinstraps were produced under SPO100-05-D-4050 (30 November 2005). On 7 October 2004, the chinstrap was standard- ized under NSN 8415-01-524-5884 but in the Foliage Green 504. The production of those started with the SPO100-05-D-4050 (1 July 2005) and ended with the SPM1C1-13-F-B001. As one may have noticed, two separate orders were executed in 2005 as a part of single contract for both the older straps in CG483, as well as the newer FG504. What is important, today, when someone tries to buy such accessories like elements of the suspension of a PASGT helmet, it is very difficult to tell from the pictures whether the color if FG504, CG483, or OD7. The sellers very often do not distinguish those colors, while some variants and shades are so unclear that cannot be 100% sure whether the element is in its old- er or newer version (since there also have been very gray shades of elements in CG483). PARACHuTIST ACCESSORIES The PASGT helmet was certified for parachute use. All one had to do was only to attach three elements – parachutist pad, retention strap, and a longer rear tightening bolt. The foam secured the user's occiput from the back part of the helmet shell. During the jump, the tightly fastened retention strap stabilized the hel- met, so that the front of the helmet would not crash the user's nose. The parachutist pad NSN 8470-01-092-8494, stan- dardized on 5 April 1980, was made of Ensolite closed- equipment