MP-4

MP-4
Maska Przeciwgazowa 4
Preceded by	SzM-41M KF
Succeeded by	MP-5
Filter	Internal Cheek Filters
Weight	0.838 kg, /w bag 1.232 kg
Made in	Poland
Period	1973 to early 1990s
Issued to	​ Ludowe Wojsko Polskie [Polish People's Army] ​ Siły Zbrojne Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej [Polish Armed Forces]
Manufacturer	Maskpol

The MP-4 was one of many Eastern European clones of the M17 mask and was issued to the Polish People Army. It was replaced in service by the MP-5.

MP-4

The Polish MP-4 is an unlicensed clone of the US M17 gas mask series. The first prototype models were made in 1970. They were made of black rubber with silver eye lens frames, and voice emitter. In 1972, there were models known as the OM-MG-2, and they're near identical to a final MP-4, except for it having black eye lens frames, and voice emitters. The design was finalised in 1973 and production began the same year. Masks were issued to all branches of forces of the Communist Army and remain there until the 1990s.

The MP-4 only had minor changes to its American counterpart. Most notable differences are lenses, they are slightly farther apart, the frames and voice diaphragm being a silver colour, as well as the 'nose', which is slightly less pronounced. First production models were made from olive-green rubber, however, it wasn't until 1983 when they changed the mixture and rubber to a grey colour.

KafelKarpat's MP-4

Angle

Side

Inside of MP-4

MP-4B

MP-4B
Maska Przeciwgazowa 4B
Preceded by	MP-4
Succeeded by	MP-5
Filter	Internal Cheek Filters
Weight	0.878 kg, /w bag 1.556 kg
Made in	Poland
Issued to	​ Siły Zbrojne Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej [Polish Armed Forces]
Manufacturer	Maskpol

The Polish MP-4B was a limited-production version of the MP-4. It only had minor differences from it's base design however.

Around the 1990s, drinking tubes became a popular feature for military and civilian masks. The mask differs from the MP-4 with the aforementioned drinking tube and by a different voice emitter cover. The drinking tube is located on the bottom and is covered by a cap, which can be threaded on and off, similar to the Israeli M15. It can also be moved around, the wearer could move the tube closer to their mouth if desired. The mask was soon pushed aside, as did the cheek filter design for the superior STANAG compatible MP-5. Then later by the newer MP-6.

KafelKarpat's MP-4B

Angle

Side

MP-4B in drinking configuration

Inside of MP-4B

MP-4B with corrective lenses

Carrier

MP-4 carrier design is similar to original M17s. The main pouch contains a place for mask and anti-fog device, and like all other pockets is tampered by metal poppers. The bag has two little external bays to hide bag straps when not in use and a bigger one for field bandage. MP-4B's carrier it's made from rubberised material, making it waterproof and efficiently protect the contents inside the bag. It's also quite bigger due to the need for space for a plastic drinking bottle and has an additional pouch for drinking tube.

MP-4 (left) and MP-4B (right) front side of bag

MP-4 (left) and MP-4B (right) back of bag

Filters

The mask was issued with twin cheek filters that were to be put inside internal pockets of the facepiece. Those could not be replaced with the mask on.

MP-4s cheek filters

Trivia

• Contrary to popular belief, MP-4Ms actually does not exist, nor has the voice emitter has actually been updated. It is just a regular MP-4 fitted with a cover to protect the original M17 style voice emitter.
• The mask was nicknamed the "Bulldog" due to its appearance.

Extra Gallery

Olive and Gray MP-4s

Difference between the MP4 and MP4B voice emitters.

A Polish soldier with an MP-4 during an NBC training exercise.

Instructions

MP-4 instruction (front)

MP-4 instruction (back)

MP-4B instuction

Videos

Polish MP4B ( rare ) Gas Mask

148scalemodeling's review of the MP-4B

MP-4 Overview