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The M65 is a German gas mask designed for military use. The mask entered service with Bundeswehr to replace the very similar and short lived M62, that it replaced in 1965. The mask was manufactured by both Drager and Auer and has spawned many copies over the years, both licensed and unlicensed. The mask remained in military service until the late 90s when it was replaced in service by M2000.

There is also a M65Z (German: Zivilschutz - "Civil Defence") which is still in use for training purposes as well as being used for industrial use.

Mask[]

The mask features two triangular eyepieces which are made of acrylic glass. The mask uses an all rubber 5-point head harness.

Facepieces would be sized and embossed with a large letter on the centre of the rubber above the eye lens. Sizes are 1 (large), 2(medium) 3 (small).

This mask's intake valve assembly uses NATO 40mm filter and is compatible with all NATO compliant-filters. Upon inhaling, air passes under the chin through two inlet valves so that the lenses don't get fogged up. The exhale valve with 19 holes which air passes through them upon exhalation. The inhale and exhale valve assemblies are constructed of an O.D. plastic that matches the color of the mask's facepiece, and the oral-nasal cup of the mask is made of the same rubber as the facepiece.

The mask also has a 3mm wide rubber peripheral seal which surrounds the entirety of the facepiece to form a better seal around the wearer's face. This flap also adds comfort to the mask when it is worn. The M65Z has a wire mesh that is located in the inhale and exhale assemblies, the mesh's function is to keep out dirt and any other foreign objects out of the inhale and exhale ports.

Both intake and outlet assemblies are held in place with two O.D. or chrome metal clamps, which can be seen around the inhale and exhale ports. The company Dräger was contracted by the German military to produce both the M65 and M65Z.

The mask is also very commonly seen in combination with older German charcoal lined NBC suits as well as the newer "Zodiac style" NBC suits, although today the M65Z is still being used in training it has officially been replaced by the M2000 in 1999 and is slowly being taken out of service completely.

Accessories[]

This mask was issued in a vinyl tarp fabric canvas bag, but was also issued in a grey plastic canister, similar to that of the WW2 German gas masks, with the exception of the M65's canister being made of plastic and being more oval than circular in shape.

Variants[]

M65a1[]

In 1983 the mask got upgraded m65z style rubberand heat resistant hardglass eyepieces. The upgraded Version is called m65a1

M65Z[]

The M65Z is be the civilian, industrial and training version of the M65. The main difference is be the rubber exhale cover (plastic in M65) and use of unpainted metal bands. There have been some suggestions that the colour of rubber on the M65Z would also normally be green (rather than brown on M65) however this needs confirmation.

Kareta[]

The Kareta is revised version of M65 mask which was used by industry and the miltary. The main visual diferences are the use of black rubber for the facepiece, mechanical clamp fixings to secure the lens, and a revised 5 point headharness. The Kareta-M was a further upgrade and issued in 1980-90's period. Revisions for the Kareta M include use of green rubber for the facepiece and the addition of a drinking straw and canteen adapter.

M8[]

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M65a2[]

The M65a2 (austrian forces called it BC65) is a standard M65 or M65Z facepiece that has been upgraded with a cheek mounted drinking canteen adapter. The German system is a different arrangement that the other NATO countries where their drinking system is a solid plastic stick/bar that penetrates into the facepiece.

Foreign Variants[]

M15 - This Israeli gas mask bears some resemblance, and was likely based on the M65. But with a few more features, such as a voice diaphragm and a drinking tube on the side of the mask.

M6-87 - Issued in Spain, very similar to the M15. The M6-87 is in service.

M74 and M85 - Are Romanian licensed copies of the M65Z.

Iraqi M85 - Is an copy of the Romanian M85 which is a licensed copy of the M65Z.

T62, T72, T3-75 - It's another licensed copy made by the Republic of China (Taiwan). It uses a pale blue rubber with black plastic furniture. Made in several versions for: Police/Prison, Naval and Military.

PG-1 - A Bulgarian private company’s copy of the M65, with a larger exhale valve/voice diaphragm. It also has a transitional thread, being able to take STANAG 4155 and GOST thread filters.

COBRA - Greek copy, still in service.

ABC-92 - Austrian chemical suit using a probably Kareta-M mask. It is in service in Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and possibly in many other countries.

V-5 - Vietnamese copy, in service. Intended for civilian and industrial use.

MV-5 - Vietnamese copy, in service. Initially intended for military use only, but then its use is expanded for civilian use too.

NBC Respirator Mask Mk I - Indian Kareta-M copy.

Gallery[]

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