(First time on this forum but it seemed like a good place to share and ask about helmet related things)

I recently bought a second pattern British Para helmet in rather nice condition off eBay for a decent price, and i intend to scrim it up as best i can in Falklands fashion. However I mean to inquire about a few key things that the better informed on this forum would be able to help me with before doing this.

The helmet was bought with a scrimmed up MTP cover, however i was unsure about the size as the seller did not know and the label that would say this had been ripped out.

So i took the liner out to look for the markings on the shell and found it was marked with an L (i presume this means that this is a large) and found it dated as 2008. Judging by the date on the helmet and the MTP cover that came with it i presume that this was a later war Afghan helmet.

However what is strange is that the cover is marked outsize. Would this mean that outsize covers fit large helmets just fine, or does this mean that I have an outsize helmet and not a large?

it also came with a MK6 style chinstrap, which i have read is not uncommon for solders to do being that the MK6 strap is far more simple to use and also a good way to hide the fact that you are using a Para helmet if you are an infantryman.

I took out the chinstrap loops (not sure what the proper name is) as they had started to rust and this was spreading to the straps so have to replace these. Not sure where to get replacements for these loops. I do have one brand new Para helmet from 2009 size small, but I don’t want to use the loops from this as would make the new helmet incomplete.

However apart from the rusty loops the helmet is in very good condition. Now I intend to take this helmet back in time and looking like a proper helmet from 82, but am unsure of a few things. There also seem to be a few options to go for as well from looking at pictures of Para’s from 82.

I am possibly aiming for a look kind of like this, except with the addition of a DPM cover and probably using black tape instead of the rubber band, as have heard that many solders did indeed just use a bit of tape on their helmets.

Getting British DPM helmet covers is easy as they are sold regularly on eBay, however the issue with this is they are the modern style with the elastic bands attached to them. I don’t believe these where used in 82 but have seen many Para’s with DPM covers on their helmets just without the bands. Not sure if they had specific helmets covers back then or where just strapping on some DPM fabric onto their helmets. Alternatively I may just buy a new style cover and cut the bands off.

I am not that concerned about 100 percent historical accuracy, but do want it to at least look right.

Tips on how I should go about setting the helmet up the right way, different helmet set ups and what bits to buy as well as where to get them would all be very welcome.

Click to enlarge the picture