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The S6, or Service Respirator No. 6, officially designated Respirator, NBC S6, was developed in the 1950s by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down and was manufactured by the Birmingham & Leyland Rubber Company. The S6 gained notoriety when seen being used by Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS) during the widely and thoroughly documented Iranian Embassy Siege on 5 May 1980.

Sas

SAS personnel standing beside Margaret Thatcher while wearing S6 gas masks

Development[]

Initial development for the S6 concept began in the early 1950s with two main trials being conducted in parallel. Firstly, studies regarding the fit of the S6 were conducted by Service Units. In order to assess the S6 fit, the respirator was used inside an exposure chamber and a chemical irritant, chloroacetophenone, was used. The CDE (Chemical Defence Establishment) assisted in the planning of these studies and occasionally helped to conduct the studies, although it should be noted that these trials were not under direct CDE control.

The CDE also conducted its own trials on the S6 concept. Between 1954 and 1964, Service volunteers wearing prototype respirators were exposed to biological and chemical substances which included Bacillus globigii (a common soil-borne bacteria, often found on dust particles), CS gas and salt sprays. Other studies consisted of respirators being worn during routine exercises and measuring the ingress of nitrogen into the respirator.

During the developmental stages, three key prototype variants were created. These three were designated the Prototype SR6 1956, Feb 1957 and July 1957. It is unclear what the differences between these models however this is undergoing research by B4D. A little later into the life of the S6, an AFV (vehicle crew) modification kit was developed though it is unclearly how widely this was issued on how it may relate to early models with hoses.

The S6 was not the only respirator in service during the cold war and was issued alongside Light AG Respirators Mk. 6 and 7, the No. 2 Mk. 1 Respirator and even had an optical variant developed around 1972 under the name Optical Sights Respirator No. R8, also known as the S8.

It was 1957, when a study by the Army operational research group of the Department of the Scientific Adviser to the Army Council was concluded with the recommendation that the S6 concept should be adopted.

Design[]

The S6 respirator was first issued to the British army in 1966 and served as the standard respirator for infantry (aircrewmen and MoD firemen were issued other respirators). It should be noted that the S6 did not begin to fully replace the later marks of LAG already in service until roughly 1969/1970 (evidence for LAG usage during the early stages of the NI conflict can be found here[1]).

Official documentation describes 3 major differences between the S6 platform and the older LAGRs:

  1. With the Light respirator sealing is maintained by close contact between the skin and the facepiece rubber, whereas with the S6 sealing is obtained by the air cushion in contact with the skin.
  2. The Light respirator has no air guide. Therefore misting is more likely, but this can be offset by the use of the anti-dimming compound.
  3. On initial issue, the container is fitted with two cork plugs connected by tape. These should be removed and placed in the respirator haversack.

Mask Externals[]

The S6 faceblank is often thought to be made of butyl (synthetic) rubber, however an MoD brochure titled 'Chemical Defence Equipment' (c.1970s) claims the S6 is made of natural rubber (see photo in gallery). The S6 faceblank, much like the Light respirator, appeared in 3 sizes: Large, Normal and Small. The size is indicated by a raised letter L, N or S on the cheek of the respirator. An additional size stamp can be found on the inside of the air-guide. A date stamp can also be found on or around the other cheek of the respirator.

A 4th, less common 'Extra-Small' size respirator was also manufactured. These examples have 'ES' stamped into them. Only right-handed facepieces were produced in Extra Small.  

Left-handed S6s were also produced for left-handed shooters, these examples will have the intake assembly on the right-hand side and will be stamped 'LH' underneath the size stamp.

The outlet valve/speech transmitter assembly of the S6 is, at least partially, derived from older LAGR components. See here for details.

Mask Internals[]

As previously mentioned, the S6 platform differs from older masks in that it utilises an air-cushion to achieve an air-tight seal. The air inside the cushion is maintained at normal atmospheric pressure by the Equalizing Pressure valve (also known as the air-cushion valve). This valve consists of a rubber tube that feeds into the air-cushion, with the tubing topped by a non-magnetic metal screw-cap. The Equalizing Pressure valve is found behind the chin-cup portion of the air-cushion. The procedure for usage will be described in this article later.

In order to offset clouding of the lenses via exhalation, the S6 design employs an oral-nasal cup (known in manuals as the air-guide). The oral-nasal cup features an inlet hole in the top to allow air to pass over the lenses. It should be noted that the oral-nasal cup is not internally moulded to the facepiece. One can pull the air-cushion back to reveal the method of attachment. The cup is attached via a rubber pin that is reinforced with a split washer which stops the rubber pin from detaching. There are two pin-washer assemblies - one on both sides of the oral-nasal cup.

The S6 also included a method of attaching spectacles for soldiers with visual issues. Centrally, above the eyepiece assemblies, sit 4 pairs of holes upon a raised plane to which anti-gas spectacles can be attached. The differing height of the holes allow the user to adjust the height of their spectacles as necessary.

Kit[]

1960s[]

As per Pamphlet No.3 (1966)

Equipment

Additional comments

S6 NBC respirator This includes the disinfecting cloth and Mk 7 anti-dimming compound
CB suit The CB suit was a disposable garment worn over clothing/webbing. It consisted of a smock, trousers and hood. Pamphlet No.3 claims it provided protection from CW agents for a minimum of six hours.

It was issued in 4 sizes: Extra small, small, medium and large. Individuals were also issued repair kits consisting of stick-on patches, should the CB suit become damaged.

In terms of foot protection, Pamphlet No.3 states the following: Currently, there is no special CW footwear. In the Army, boots DMS will be worn and in the RAF as an interim measure, boots, rubber, knee will be worn

Gloves The gloves issued were made of black neoprene and were worn over white cotton inner-gloves.
Eyeshields Eyeshields were to be worn in conjunction with CB hood whenever liquid NBC threat exists.
DKP

Decontamination Kit Personal, issued in a plastic envelope. Consisted of a paper wallet containing 4 sachets. Each sachet contained a cloth pad filled with fullers earth powder. 

Puffer bottle known as Decontaminant Powder Dispenser contains fullers earth. Used in hard to reach areas such as the welt on boots. 

Self-injection device Two self-injection devices were issued inside a plastic container, both devices were sealed inside individual foil wrappers. Contained Atropine to defeat nerve agents.
CW detector paper n/a
Haversack 58 pattern haversack used in early service. Often refered to as having a 'wedge' shape by collectors. Replaced around 1972 by the Mk 2 haversack.

1970s/1980s[]

As per Survive to Fight (1983)

Equipment

Additional comments

S6 NBC respirator This includes Cloths, disinfecting, facepiece, Mk 7 anti-dimming compound and No 2 Mk 1 canister (2 canisters issued)


Anti-dim not issued to Royal Navy personnel

NBC suit Most common model of NBC suit used was 'No 1 Mk 3' which replaced the older 'No 1 Mk 2' in 1976. No 1 Mk 3 consisted of combined smock/hood and trousers. Suit issued in pressure-packed plastic envelopes. The suit had a shelf-life of 4 years in a temperate climate.


No 1 Mk 3 was issued in 5 sizes: Extra Small, Small, Normal, Large and Special.


No 1 Mk 3 was produced by Bondita Ltd.

Mk 5 respirator spectacles placeholder
NBC Overboots
NAPS tablets n/a
NBC gloves (inner and outer) Gloves, protective, NBC consisted of black chloroprene outer-gloves and white cotton inner-gloves. 'Chemical Defence Equipment' claims the gloves provide 6 hours of protection against liquid agents.
DKP 1/DKP 2 n/a
Combopens Combopens consisted of an injector and a cap (which contained Diazepam tablets). 3 issued.


Royal Navy personnel issued 2 combopens in haversack. 3rd combopen held by ships storage.

Detector paper n/a
Personal Dosimeter Small dosimeter which looks like a wrist watch. Each dosimeter had an individual stock number, so each dosimeter could be returned to the correct soldier. The dosimeter itself could not be read and in order to ascertain an individuals' total radiation exposure, a reading machine had to be used.


Royal Navy personnel issued a slightly different dosimeter that was worn around the neck rather than the wrist.

Haversack

Respirator Drill[]

Pamphlet No.3 Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Equipment (1966) details the procedure by which a soldier uses the respirator under NBC threat. Pamphlet No.3 does not differenciate between the Light respirator and the S6, thus it has been assumed the drill was the same for both masks.

  1. Stop breathing. 
  2. Remove steel helmet or cap with right hand. Allow helmet to hang by chinstrap on right arm, or place cap between knees.
  3. With left hand pull off the eyeshields and discard them, then pull open the fastenings of the CB hood.
  4. With right hand pull back the CB hood so that it lies at the back of the neck.
  5. With left hand pull open the flap of the haversack and take out the respirator by grasping the outlet valve assembly.
  6. Place thumbs of each hand under the two bottom head harness elastics, thrust the chin into the facepiece and pull the head harness over the head.
  7. Ensure pad on the harness is at the centre of the back of the head, that no elastic is twisted.
  8. Blow out hard to expel vapour from inside the facepiece, shout GAS several times then breathe normally. 
  9. Pull on CB hood and fasten under chin, replace steel helmet or cap. Do up flap on haversack.

Removing the Respirator[]

Once on, respirators are not be removed except upon orders to do so by the local commander. The executive order for removing respirators is GAS CLEAR. On this order:

  1. Prepare new eyeshields.
  2. Remove steel helmet.
  3. Undo fastenings on CB hood and pull it back.
  4. Grasp underside of outlet valve assembly and pull respirator upwards off the face.
  5. Replace CB hood.
  6. Put on eyeshields.
  7. Replace any headgear.
  8. Stow respirator in haversack.

Carriage position[]

As per Pamphlet No.3, there are no special carriage positions. The haversack was to be worn in a way that allowed for protection to be gained in the shortest time possible. The position of haversacks depended on:

  1. The threat
  2. The individuals mission
  3. The manner in which other equipment is worn

Using the Equalizing Pressure valve[]

When fitting an S6 it is essential to ensure that the pressure inside the air cushion is the same as the pressure in the surrounding atmosphere.

  1. Turn the cap of the pressure valve as far as possible anti-clockwise
  2. With the inside of the facepiece uppermost, support the respirator in the palm of the hand for 1 minute
  3. Put the respirator down, hold the base of the valve and screw the cap in a clockwise direction. Do not distort the air cushion or there will not be enough air in it. Do not use force, but ensure the valve is closed properly

Haversack[]

The S6 was issued in the 58 pattern haversack originally (1966 - c.1972) before being replaced by the Mk II haversack. The original 58 pattern haversack was made of a canvas cotton blend. This presented a huge decontamination issue - the haversack could potentially soak up chemicals and the small cotton fibres were thought to be capable of trapping deposits of deployed NBC weapons.

Although obsoleted by the mid 1970s, the 58 pattern haversack remained in service with various police forces, with the Royal Ulster Constabulary supposedly using them up until the 1990s (see here).

The Mk 2 haversack was made of nylon coated in polyurethane which was thought to make decontamination much easier. A variation of this featuring an orange seam around the haversack flap was issued in the latter days of the S6 and also saw service with the S10. Left-handed S6s had their own haversack known as 'Mk 2A' as opposed to the regular Mk 2 haversack in usage with right-handed respirators. 

Filter[]

Mk2canister

Bottom of Mk 2 canister

The S6 respirator was equipped with several different canisters (see above infobox), but the two most commonplace canisters encountered are the No.1 Mk. 1 and the No 2 Mk. 1. Both canisters follow an archetypal construction of resin-wool and activated charcoal (the canister contained less than 100g of charcoal). One can differentiate between No. 1 Mk 1 and No. 2 Mk 1 by inspection of the canister bottom. The No. 1 has a large central intake, whereas the No. 2 has a series of slits arranged circularly, around the edge of the canister body. It has been suggested that the body of the canisters was changed due to the singular central intake on the No. 1 being susceptible to clogging. 

There is some discrepancy over what the slitted filters designation is. One source, 'Chemical Defence Equipment' (1970s?) refers to it as the 'Mk 2 canister' whereas 'Survive to Fight' (1983) refers to it as the No. 2 Mk. 1. 


Information regarding the S6 canisters' protective ability in the context of genuine NBC threats remains unknown, such information would not likely ever be disseminated for obvious reasons. J. Chisholm states: No studies ​ involving the use of chemical or biological warfare agents were conducted to assess the protection afforded by the S6 respirator.

However, a non-military study was published by Hawkins in 1973. This study examined the usage of 4 different canisters against 3 different anaesthetic gases. The 4 canisters in question were: 'Siebe-Gorman Puretha Type 'O', 'The Waters Canister', 'Auer 2703A' and 'The military S6 canister'. 

In Hawkins' study, compressed air containing 1% anaesthetic vapour (either Halothane, Trichloroethylene or Methoxyflurane) was passed through the canisters at a rate of 8L/minute. The time for 0.1% of vapour to be detected on the canisters' distal side was recorded. After this, the activated charcoal in the canisters were regenerated with heat, and the study repeated. 

Canisterstudy1

The S6 canister performed the worst of the 4 canisters across all 3 anaesthetic gases, with Hawkins concluding: It does not provide a useful endurance, even when fresh, and loses approximately one-third of that time upon regeneration.

Changing the canister[]

Survive to Fight lists 7 occasions when the filter should be changed:

  1. If symptoms of NBC agents are experienced whilst wearing a functioning respirator
  2. Breathing resistance becomes excessive
  3. After immersion of canister in water (eg. river crossing)
  4. Canister is dented
  5. After 120 hours in a NBC environment (AFV crews who use forced-air systems must change canisters after 40 hours)
  6. Shelf-life is expired (7 years from manufacture date)
  7. Upon orders from local commander

Gallery[]

Luxembourgish Service[]

The S6 was adopted by the Luxembourg Army in 1978-1980 and replaced the M51 currently in service. The masks were purchased from the UK and came with UK Carriers as well. They were originally used with Belgian Decontamination Kits but they possible switched to UK Decontamination Kits later on. In a 1980 study, the following was said:

"Each soldier is provided with a respirator - a recently acquired United Kingdom model conforming to NATO standards - and 2 spare canisters."

Dutch Service[]

The Dutch Marine Corps adopted the S6 in the Late 1970s to replace the K53. The Dutch Navy replaced their K53 Masks with S6s in the Early 1980s. The Dutch purchased the S6 Masks from the UK but produced their own Carriers which look very similar to UK Carrier except they have sewn on waist and shoulder straps and have a metal "KM" (Koninklijke Marine - Royal Navy) plate pinned on. In a 1980 study, the following was said:

"The Royal Netherlands Navy NBC protection follows Stanag 2352 Annex B, and all personnel are equipped with a rather old model respirator. They will be re-equipped with the British S6 model perhaps in 1983. It is already on issue to operational units of the Netherlands marines who also have 4 sets of protective clothing per man."

Turkish Service & Variant[]

At the end of 1970s Turkish Armed Forces demanded S6 masks for their CBRN response teams and Military from British Armed Forces. After several parties granted to MKEK, MKEK distributed S6 masks with the name of SR6 to TSK. Until the first period of 1990s TSK used this mask actively. Later on, MKEK developed their own S6 copies such as SR6M, SR10ST and SR10 Panaromic for military and law enforcement use throughout years. MKEK stamped these masks with 'MKEK' stamps instead of British Markings.

References[]

'Atmospheric pollution in operating theatres' - T.J. Hawkins (1973, published in 'Anaesthesia', Volume 28)

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