Navlaka šlema M-68

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JNAhelmetcoverM68 — **JNA (YPA) soldiers wearing the first pattern helmet cover**

The Navlaka šlema M-68 (Helmet cover Model 1968, in Serbian - officially) or alternatively Navlaka za kacigu (Same meaning, in Croatian - unofficially) was a helmet cover of Yugoslavian origin, firstly and primarly intended for common JUŠ M-59 and M-59/85, the standard issue steel combat helmet of YPA (Yugoslavian People's Army).

It was made out of canvas representing artificial foliage (leaves), printed/fastened onto netting and supplied with a string/cord to fasten onto the helmet.

The helmet cover has 4 colors – dark brown, lighter orange brown, dark green and lighter yellowish green.

Due to its carachteristic and somewhat odd design, it was often colloquially known as Kupus (literally; Cabbage), a common nickname given directly by YPA servicemen and personnel. Despite being used and worn in some occassions during Yugoslavian wars and earlier during existence of SFRY (during various excercises, the Sloboda 71 among others), it was actually relatively unpopular and more often left out due to the fact that its elements (leaves) could often hang down from helmet and thus block view of its user, if not completely properly attached to the helmet.

The M-68 was produced from 1968 until 1987, when its only reason of existence ceased to exist as YPA was then starting to introuduce the all out new, M-87 (later renamed to M-89 and after breakup, M-93), their very first camouflage combat uniform which, among other elements, featured a standard cotton helmet cover in same camouflage as the rest of the uniform. However, due to appearing way too late (just a few years after the final breakup) the M-87 uniform remained almost completely unused in YPA and was actually very rarely distributed (mainly to paratroopers and military police) which is exactly why those M-68 helmet covers could be still seen used during the war and 1990s, together with their outdated, M-77, non-camouflage, wool uniform.

Today, the M-68 is relatively hard but still possible to find, especially in ex-SFRY republics.

Markings on the reverse:

KOMBINAT „BOROVO“ JUGOSLAVENSKI PROIZVOD M68-Š (date of manufacture) + marking N in a square