Eric Queen Posted June 7, 2019 #1 Posted June 7, 2019 Nearly 40 years ago a friend of mine in the Seattle area picked this up from a man who had served with the 187th PIR. He was part of the contingent of "Rakkasans" at San Pablo Airfield (Leyte, PI) when the Japanese Army's 3rd Parachute Regiment launched an airborne assault during the night of December 6th, 1944. Additional objectives of the assault were the airfields at Buri and Burauen. I think the 187th is the only American Airborne regiment to have been assaulted from the air during WWII. This helmet was taken directly from one of those 306 Japanese Paratroopers. I was fortunate enough to acquire the piece a couple years back. To me, the most historical Japanese Paratrooper helmet I have come across. I have owned three others over the years but to me they (although rare of course) were simply military surplus compared to this one. This is a first model helmet (leather vs. cloth flaps) Notice how it has been camouflaged for a night operation (by what appears to be wood stain or gun oil). It definitely is NOT post war applied lacquer or something like that.
Eric Queen Posted June 7, 2019 Author #6 Posted June 7, 2019 The mans surname KUBO (ク ボ) is hand stitched to the interior of the helmet.
RussM Posted June 7, 2019 #13 Posted June 7, 2019 Such a rare piece in such fine condition! Beautiful example! Most of the para helmets have some form of damage to them, to have a first pattern, with original net, complete, and in this condition is truly outstanding! Regards Russ
Kanemono Posted June 7, 2019 #14 Posted June 7, 2019 That is an amazing helmet! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Beerdragon54 Posted June 8, 2019 #15 Posted June 8, 2019 Omg I want this!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
vostoktrading Posted June 8, 2019 #16 Posted June 8, 2019 That is a beautiful helmet. Thanks for posting it.
smbr57 Posted June 8, 2019 #17 Posted June 8, 2019 Simply amazing. The provenance puts this in a class of its own! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Bugme Posted June 9, 2019 #18 Posted June 9, 2019 Japamese Airborne? How incredibly rare that is on it's own but it's also named? Incredible!
Wake1941 Posted June 13, 2019 #22 Posted June 13, 2019 Beautiful helmet, first Japanese para Ive ever seen
Stony Posted August 6, 2019 #23 Posted August 6, 2019 They don't get much better than this. Amazing helmet!
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted August 21, 2019 #24 Posted August 21, 2019 Crazy cool! Thanks for sharing
kammo-man Posted May 14, 2020 #25 Posted May 14, 2020 Amazing piece of history !Owen Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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