The British Army WW2 Lightweight Respirator was a gas mask used by the British military during World War II. It was designed to provide protection against a range of chemical warfare agents, including blister agents such as mustard gas and nerve agents such as sarin.
The Lightweight Respirator was developed to replace the earlier respirators that had been used during World War I. It was designed to be more lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it easier for soldiers to carry and use in combat situations.
The mask itself was made of rubber and featured a replaceable filter canister. The canister contained activated charcoal to absorb chemical agents and a layer of asbestos to filter out solid particles. The mask also had a two-part glass eye-piece that provided a wider field of vision than earlier designs.
The Lightweight Respirator was widely used by the British military during World War II and was considered to be an effective piece of protective equipment. However, it did have some limitations, particularly in hot and humid conditions where soldiers could experience difficulty breathing due to the design of the mask.
Today, the British Army WW2 Lightweight Respirator is a popular collectible item among military history enthusiasts and collectors.