After many years of research and development in an attempt at either modifying the existing S6 Respirator design or creating an entirely new Respirator, the final prototype of the Optical Sights Respirator prototypes, Prototype No. R8, was eventually accepted in 1978 following some trials earlier in the year. It was included in the 1978 NBC Equipment manual in the addendum, similar to how the Light AG Respirator was mentioned in similar fashion inside the 1942 Gas Training Manual. Whilst unclear exactly where the respirator was issued, it is almost certain that the Royal Navy was one of the few branches to recieve the Respirator, with examples found today on ships such as the H.M.S. Excellent. The only other known holders of these Respirators are the Bovington Tank Museum, due to the focus on AFV compatibility, and Porton Down itself. Despite official being issued, this Respirator remains mostly a mystery and has only recently began to be researched further.
Acceptance of the R8 Design[]
Application and Operation Usage[]
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Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Crewmen[]
One of earliest requirements of the Optical Sights Respirator, prior to even the Experiment No. R1 being created, was to ensure it was compatible with AFV gear. Later, the requirement when designing the R8 was to ensure it would work with the AFV Helmet of the period.
Comparison to Respirator, NBC, S6[]
References & Further Reading[]
For more information about the R8, please visit the GasMasksUK website: https://gasmasksuk.wixsite.com/gasmasksuk/experimental-optical-service-respir