Type 66 helmet
Japanese-made combat helmet based on the M1 helmet
title: "Type 66 helmet" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["combat-helmets-of-japan", "cold-war-military-equipment-of-japan", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-1960s"] description: "Japanese-made combat helmet based on the M1 helmet" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_66_helmet" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Japanese-made combat helmet based on the M1 helmet ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox military gear"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Type 66 helmet |
| image | {{Photomontage |
| photo1a | 66式鉄帽.JPG |
| photo1b | Type 66 Helmet liner.jpg |
| position | center |
| color_border | transparent |
| color | transparent |
| spacing | 5 |
| size | 345 |
| caption | The Type 66 helmet with the JGSDF Type II helmet cover (Left) |
| The Type 66's helmet liner (Right) | |
| origin | Japan |
| type | Combat helmet |
| service | 1966-Present |
| used_by | Japan |
| designer | Major Harold G. Sydenham |
| manufacturer | Kawasaki Steel Corporation (currently JFE Steel) |
| weight | 1.4 kg |
| length | |
| :: |
| name = Type 66 helmet | image = {{Photomontage | photo1a = 66式鉄帽.JPG | photo1b = Type 66 Helmet liner.jpg | position = center | color_border = transparent | color = transparent | spacing = 5 | size = 345 | foot_montage = | image_size = | alt = | caption = The Type 66 helmet with the JGSDF Type II helmet cover (Left) The Type 66's helmet liner (Right) | origin = Japan | type = Combat helmet | service = 1966-Present | used_by = Japan | wars = | designer = Major Harold G. Sydenham | design_date = | manufacturer = Kawasaki Steel Corporation (currently JFE Steel) | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants = | spec_label = | weight = 1.4 kg | length = | width = | height = | diameter =
The Type 66 is a Combat helmet that was used by the Japanese Self-Defense Force after the adoption of the M1 helmet, supplied by the United States when the former National Police Reserve was established. It has not been exported out of Japan since it was adopted by the JSDF.
In the JSDF, it is known as Teppachi.
History
The Type 66 helmet was adopted by the JSDF in 1966, replacing the numerous M1 helmets supplied to them by the US. This is due to meeting Japanese requirements, since their typical head size cannot always fit underneath an M1.
It is mostly replaced by the Type 88 helmet in frontline service from 1988 onwards.
Design
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/ＵＨ－１Ｊ_25.05.23_１３Ｂ・補助担架員集合訓練6765_装備_102.jpg" caption="JGSDF soldiers of the 8th Infantry Regiment practice carrying a mock casualty during exercises while wearing Type 66 helmets."] ::
The material of the helmet liner is simple molded resin. The total weight of the outer shell and helmet liner is 1.4 kilograms with the shell made out of manganese steel. The Type 66 can take various helmet covers and be equipped with removable chin straps. Its construction is based on the M1.
The Type 66 is still in use in non-combat missions, training exercises, parades and in the reserve forces.
References
References
- Due to the Type 66 being based on the M1.
- "66式 鉄帽".
- "JGSDF TYPE88 COMBAT HELMET".
- "Jgsdf66式鉄帽".
- [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)]]. (2014-04-23). "Ministry of Defense specification sheet, LINER, GROUND TROOPS' HELMET".
- Ministry of Defense (Japan). (2014-03-28). "Ground Self-Defense Forces Dress Manual".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::