Draft:Helmet Integrated Systems

Helmet Integrated Systems (Ltd)

HISL's Logo
Formation	24th of October, 1924
Founder	John Blott, Henry Hobson and Thomas Noblett.
Legal status	Still operating
Headquarters	Stranraer
Location	COMMERCE ROAD, STRANRAER, DG9 7DX
Coordinates	54.894010, -5.020113
Services	Headwear Production
Affiliations	Gentex Corporation
Website	https://web.archive.org/web/20130506091354/http://www.helmets.co.uk/ (Last edition)
Formerly called	Helmets Limited

Helmet Integrated Systems Limited is a British Helmet company. Founded in 1924 on the 24th of October, Its factory and headquarters would originally be based at Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. The buildings originally used by HISL are now Grade 2 Listed. Its headquarters are now Stranraer, an area in Glasgow.

As of 2014, it is owned by the Gentex Corporation. The President of Gentex Corporation, L.P. Frieder, would say "This powerful combination creates a significant opportunity for growth for both businesses."

The founders:

• John Blott, Chairman from 1924-1961.
• Henry Hobson, Managing Director from 1924-1948.
• Thomas J. Noblett, Manager/Director from 1924-1940.

Products

Helmet Integrated Systems was the producer of Emergency Service, Security, Military, Communications, and Factory Protection. Its headquarters are now Stranraer, an area in Glasgow.

They would be divided into different categories:

• ALPHA = Military and Civil Aircraft Helmets
• PureFlo = Industrial Respiratory Protection
• Cromwell Comms = Communication devices. Mainly integrated in Cromwell Helmets
• Cromwell = Emergency Service Helmets, Mainly Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service Helmets.
• ARGUS = Police and Security kit

History

Early Days

E Day, who owned Hat Makers of St Albans, would file for bankruptcy in 1923 and would put his company up for sale. E Day's misfortune would create Helmets LTD, resulting in four men coming together to buy Day's Helmet Selection. One of those men, John Blott, was a director of a company making millitary equipment called Barrow Hepburn & Gale (formally Alexander Ross) of Bermondsey and would put up £1000 and become chairman. Whilst the other three, T.H. Hobson who contributed £1000 also, Hobson's son Henry who worked for days leading to getting Managing Director, and Thomas Noblett who put up £500 and was appointed Manager.

Fred Hodgins putting cork onto a Pith Helmet. The process is known as 'Knocking On'

Helmets Limited would only come into existence on the 24th of October, 1924. It would start work from rented buildings in Alma Road, St Albans. They would produce Tropical Helmets for services.

Yet issues would arise quickly after. Webdale's (As it was known) proved too big and too expensive, Thomas Noblett took some men over to Wheathampstead and would set to work turning the old Malthouse building into a factory.

Fred Hodgins, a worker who retired in 1967, remembers the work well. 'We removed the middle floor, and it took the three of us all summer.' When the work was finished, the company began moving in stock and blocking machines in 1928. Water would come from a nearby well and electricity from a second-hand generator.

All of the helmets produced by the company were entirely handmade. At one end of the ground floor of the Maltings Factory, sheets of cork would be cut up, which would resemble a flower with droopy petals. They would be shaped on a block with around 2-4 layers glued together. The process was called 'Knocking on'. The rough shape of the shell would then enter a blocking machine. With steam, and a certain amount of pressure, the machine would be able to fix and set the helmet's shape.

Upstairs, the helmets would be given their outer skin of fabric. Then back into the Blocking machine to be pressed firmly into shape. Then back upstairs again for the final touches. This would include binding the brim with the same material or leather and fitting the internal headband. A last touch on some helmets would be a pugaree, a scarf made of some sort of silk or cotton, wrapped around the base of the crown. They would then return to the ground floor for inspection. Those that passed would be packed and dispatched to outposts of the British Empire.

Millitary Helmets

During World War II, the production of Wolseley's (Pith helmets) would begin from 1941 to 1943. Although there is limited information on which military groups used them, a source shows one bearing a Canadian General Service Cap Badge.

Helmets Ltd would produce, for the Royal Air Force, cloth helmets. The Type G flying helmet would be fully wired, with a good flexible loom, receivers, and a NATO plug. It would also come with Leather Earpads, with oxygen mask hooks on both sides. With a similar appearance to the ones used in World War II, this example was likely used during or after the war.

A RAF Wessex Search and Rescue Flying Helmet

The 1970s would see RAF Flying helmets be produced. In the reference, the helmet would be owned by Mick Anderson (Passed in 2014). A crewman in the RAF Wessex Search and Rescue, who operated the helicopters for many years. Though these helmets would be also used in the RAF.

The Cromwell Anti-Riot Helmet, which was introduced in the 1970s, would be used as a replacement to the MK4s originally used in Northern Ireland. The MK4s were a top-heavy helmet, meaning that the user would lose agility. However, the attempt made by Helmets Ltd would not only protect the user's face and head but also the ears and neck to some degree. The helmet would be produced out of GRP, which reduced hearing.

At first glance, the helmet had the appearance of a 70s biker helmet, which is likely to be a re-use of a mould from the factory for a Biker Helmet. The helmets would be effective, being worn until the 80s to late 80s. Being replaced by the MK6 Riot Helmet. The interior of the helmet would be lined with Foam and Polystyrene, and a chinstrap made out of Vinyl and Nylon Webbing. The visor would have a frame of Aluminum, with a Perspec visor. Resting on a Mount at the front and back of the helmet, with spring-loaded catches which would allow easy removal of the visor.

Although it would be effective in The Troubles during its usage, Many would have issues with it. One would exclaim:

"It was like running around with a church bell in your head!"

And another would give the experience of how it would never rest at the right angle:

"The helmets would never stay at the correct angle. Loads of men across the providence had their field dressing wedged between the visor and helmet."

You can find many more people complaining about the Helmet in the comments of the video.

Biker and Racing Helmets

Helmets Ltd would start production on Crash Helmets and Motorbike Helmets. Although there is no official date of when it started, An example of one made for either a Car or Motorcycle is shown in the source. It is likely to be produced around the 50s, due to its similarity with a fireman helmet also made by Helmets Ltd. Which was produced for Emergency Tenders for the London Fire Brigade.

Fire Fighting Helmets

Helmets Limited started production of Firefighting Helmets in 1935, the London Fire Brigade would commission around 100 prototypes of a Cherry Red helmet. It would be called a 'Cherry Red' due to the unusual red colour it had. A trial of the old, and outdated, Merryweather & Sons Brass helmets proved how strong and durable these new, and evolutionary, Cork helmets were. In the test, a slab or rock was dropped onto both. The results were:

• The Merryweather & Sons helmet crushed. It would prove how unprotective the helmets were.
• The new Cork helmet would show little damage. A few scuffs of course from the hit but would keep the user safe in a fire.

A few years later closer to the 1940s, London Fire Brigade would again come to them for another batch of Cork helmets. These would feature a 'Gold' or 'Silver' comb (varying on the rank) and would be referred to as the first 'Step and Stairs'. This was due to the comb's appearance of stairs. Though in 1941, LFB would merge into the National Fire Service. Although some Firemen at the time kept their cork helmets, many would receive the regular NFS Brodie.

The London Fire Brigade shown wearing the new prototype 'Cherry Reds' in 1936.

This would influence many brigades after World War II to start ordering helmets from Helmets Limited. Due to the safety of the helmets. Although the most popular pattern would be the 'Middlesex' pattern.

The 1970s would turn into a new era of Firefighter helmets. With the production of the Cromwell 'F135' or 'F335'. They would produce three patterns:

• Cromwell County F135 = A regular Cromwell Cork with a rounded-off peak.
• Cromwell County F135 London Pattern = Featuring a more pointed peak. Like the traditional helmets which wouldn't feature a rounded-off peak.
• Cromwell F335 Middlesex = A mix of the new, revolutionary County F135 and the original Middlesex. Featuring the two-tiered comb, although shorter, and a pointed peak.

Queen Elizabeth II in 1974 visiting Lambeth, London Fire Brigade's Headquarters. Some firefighters can be seen wearing the 'Step and Stairs' pattern.

The first helmets would begin production in 1970. It was all black until later on in the 1970s after it was required for all Firefighting helmets to be 'Plain Yellow' or 'White with Black Comb'. The helmets would feature an inner of ABS plastic, The exterior of Cork, layered over with Canvas, and a brim. The brim would usually match the colour of the original helmet's colour, although some Yellow or White helmets will feature different colours underneath. This was mainly due to the personnel just painting over the old colour due to the colour change or rank up.

Even though some brigades tried to get many to use these new helmets, some would opt into using the older Middlesex, Arden, Step and Stairs or a Hendry Metro (Not made by Helmets Ltd). Some examples still exist of painted-over helmets which were used up until the 1990's.

Another invention Helmets Ltd would try would be the 'Firepro'. A more modern attempt at the Cromwell County F135 pattern. Yet it was an unpopular attempt. It would feature a smooth exterior made of fibreglass, a black rubber trim, and a completely different liner. It would also include a hole in the green plastic inside for a 'Visor Mount'. Many Firefighters at the time denied the design due to it looking too modern, meaning it would never properly take off.

The Cromwell F500 was produced in 1990. It was now, by law, required to be equipped with a visor, yet it was not a requirement for there to be any protection for the rear of the head. There are many examples from many brigades, which were either trialled or fully used, of it being operated on duty.

Other Helmets

Later on, Helmets Ltd would start production of Custodian Helmets for the Police Service. They would compete against Christys of Stockport and Compton Webb of Stockport. Although the design of Christys would look massively different to Helmets Limited's design, Comptons would look identical next to Helmets LTD's design. Due to the similar design in the same, Dark Blue, colour compared to Christys' and Black colour.