During his last season in motorsport (1970) Jack Brabham used a strange white helmet, with two big cheeks, I've never seen. Perhaps something similar had some other driver in 1970 (Piers Courage?) but I'm not sure.
If I remember well in previous seasons Brabham had always a silver helmet, sometime a white full face one.
Jack Brabham helmet
Started by
Nanni Dietrich
, Dec 16 2004 09:52
20 replies to this topic
#4
d.emerson
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 12:00
I just read that Brabham used two types of crash helmet in 1970, the full face Bell helmet and a helicopter pilots helmet.
#5
Barry Boor
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 14:49
During the time that Jack was in F.1 - mid 1950s to 1970, he changed helmet colours fairly regularly. He used gold, silver, silver with black stripe and white with stripe; (at least).
And he never once told us why he changed...
And he never once told us why he changed...
#6
Mac Lark
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 18:17
And didn't he start with a black helmet?
I think the gold helmet was celebrate his 3 rd world championship.
I never realised he'd worn a full face
I think the gold helmet was celebrate his 3 rd world championship.
I never realised he'd worn a full face
#7
Twin Window
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 19:31
Stewart wore one too, for part of 1970.Originally posted by Nanni Dietrich
During his last season in motorsport (1970) Jack Brabham used a strange white helmet, with two big cheeks, I've never seen. Perhaps something similar had some other driver in 1970 (Piers Courage?) but I'm not sure.
#8
Mac Lark
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 19:39
Originally posted by Twin Window
Stewart wore one too, for part of 1970.
Full or open face Stuart?
#9
Twin Window
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Posted 16 December 2004 - 19:55
Open face, Mac.
It was, as d.emerson already mentioned, a helicptor pilot's helmet. The goggle-shaped visor slid down from within the helmet. You can see the slider knob just below the tartan stripe. Black Jack's was basically the same, just used differently.
If you look at the British GP that year, I'm pretty sure Brabham was wearing his full face there.
It was, as d.emerson already mentioned, a helicptor pilot's helmet. The goggle-shaped visor slid down from within the helmet. You can see the slider knob just below the tartan stripe. Black Jack's was basically the same, just used differently.
If you look at the British GP that year, I'm pretty sure Brabham was wearing his full face there.
#10
Nanni Dietrich
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Posted 17 December 2004 - 10:23
In this page
http://www.imca-slot...atra650-660.htm
there are two pictures of Black Jack at Le Mans 1970 (Matra #32) with a full face white helmet.
He had also the name painted in black on the helmet.
There is also a picture of Black Jack with golden open face helmet.
http://www.imca-slot...atra650-660.htm
there are two pictures of Black Jack at Le Mans 1970 (Matra #32) with a full face white helmet.
He had also the name painted in black on the helmet.
There is also a picture of Black Jack with golden open face helmet.
#12
Orin
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Posted 17 December 2004 - 12:34
Originally posted by Nanni Dietrich
During his last season in motorsport (1970) Jack Brabham used a strange white helmet, with two big cheeks, I've never seen. Perhaps something similar had some other driver in 1970 (Piers Courage?) but I'm not sure.
He wore it to protect his failing hearing - as others have mentioned it was a pilots helmet and filtered out the worst of the noise whilst still allowing him to hear what the engine was doing.
Lovely stewart piccie Twinny
#13
Huw Jadvantich
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Posted 17 December 2004 - 14:14
They are either Air Force helmets or very similar to them, my dad had one in silver which from the outside looks identicalin shape. They had strong padding in a sort of circular arrangement around the ear where that lump is, presumably to fit a communication earpiece and provide ear protection.
It is certainly true that Black Jack suffered from hearing problems.
He never seemed to be able to hear racing cars directly behind or alongside him in a corner.
It is certainly true that Black Jack suffered from hearing problems.
He never seemed to be able to hear racing cars directly behind or alongside him in a corner.
#15
Barry Boor
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Posted 20 December 2004 - 18:51
What a very silly looking creation......
(The helmet, I mean, just the helmet.....)
(The helmet, I mean, just the helmet.....)
#16
T54
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Posted 21 December 2004 - 01:34
What a very silly looking creation......
Hi Barry,
No sillier than a Peltor helmet in rally cars today...
And just as dangerous.
:
#17
McLarenFormula1
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Posted 21 December 2004 - 02:10
I don't know who to think but I am sure glad that that went out of style.
#18
Simpson RX1
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Posted 25 December 2004 - 22:01
Originally posted by T54
Hi Barry,
No sillier than a Peltor helmet in rally cars today...
And just as dangerous.
:
What makes them dangerous?
I'm sure they must come up to the governing body's strict safety regulations.......
#19
T54
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Posted 25 December 2004 - 22:28
The earphones fittted to these helmets are made of hard plastic. In case of severe lateral impact, major head injuries could ensue. These helmets are not following the Snell SA2000 standards regarding ear protection. As in F1 about 10 years ago when some manufacturers were taking the grinder to lighten the shells, rally safety inspection by the FIA is limited to reading stickers.
So far they got lucky.
T54
So far they got lucky.
T54
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#20
Simpson RX1
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Posted 25 December 2004 - 22:34
But then who are we to judge what is the best standard......in the UK, Snell is not good enough for road use, but it's good enough for the track......I guess it comes down to what each individual feels safe in
#21
T54
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Posted 25 December 2004 - 23:04
I have been witnessing helmet testing for the past 15 years by various methods, and either the US DOT or the Snell Foundation standard relates more to reall live situations than the EN or BS Euro standard of today which actually offers LESS protection than their older standards from the mid 1990's.
It is not a matter of personal choice but a matter of simple logic: hard objects close to your ears can be pushed into your brain in case of side impacts. At this time, the best helmets tested read about 125G and 155G on the 300G Snell SA2000 testing apparatus for first and second impact at ambiant temp (75F). Insert a plastic earphone on the magnesium test form and the first hit reads above 300G. Need I say more?
T54
It is not a matter of personal choice but a matter of simple logic: hard objects close to your ears can be pushed into your brain in case of side impacts. At this time, the best helmets tested read about 125G and 155G on the 300G Snell SA2000 testing apparatus for first and second impact at ambiant temp (75F). Insert a plastic earphone on the magnesium test form and the first hit reads above 300G. Need I say more?
T54
