US M1 Helmet Net

Yeah, if you don't bother with a net then there is no need to stress whether it is 'right' or not! Look at period pics and you will see some have nets but most don't. Even if there is a landing craft with a lot of netted helmets there are still those without - I've no idea if it's because stocks ran out or it was personal preference or they were lost/forgotten even if they were issued! Even those with nets don't seem to bother putting foliage in them at all, no matter where they are. So, a redundant bit of kit really although it could be argued an unadorned net breaks up the even tone of a helmet. Some blotches of mud would be a good and cheap alternative for you.

No problemo. Play with the strap either hitched over the rim or where it should be - under your chin. In the films they leave it dangling in a raking kind of way; probably an urban myth but it is said that they thought a nearby blast would wrench your head from your body if you had the strap done up. However, in the time when I ran around on airsoft open days wearing WW2 kit I called myself out "HIT" in the first 30 seconds of a game. Quite impossible as the enemy were still a long way off and just getting going. No, in trotting along one of the loose-hanging straps had swung up and the metal clip pinged my helmet. Well, it sounded just like a BB hit!

Heh, yesterday I was shown an original photo of a GI, he had his straps dangling. So there you go...

http://www.life.com/gallery/61121/first/#index/4

I have a green one on my M1

To fit I undid the draw string, soaked it in warm water for 30 mins or so then layed it out flat, put helmet on top with liner removed and lifted net and pulled draw string, tied it with loose knot, then tucked ends into helmet and put liner back in

Simples

Cad

Slip the liner neck strap off the rim and simply pull the liner out - it isn't fixed in any way, just a good fit.