Armor Questions for a Modern Game?

[Mysterioso]

I am converting over a mercenary scenario from Mercenaries, Spies, and Private Eyes to BRP (As much as I like MSPE's take on modern games, I just don't like the system). The scenario takes places in the mid-1980s.

For equiping characters and NPCs:

What are the dates for Early Bulletproof Vest and Late Bullet Proof Vest? Also, would flak jackets be more common for soldiers of fortune?

When is a modern helmet a Light Helmet and when is it a Heavy Helmet? IIRC WWII-era US helmets weighed more but covered less whereas current US helmets cover more but weigh less due to newer materials.

[MrJealousy]

... Early Bulletproof Vest ...

Was American Civil War era, 1860's, don't know about this other new fangled stuff though!

[rust]

What are the dates for Early Bulletproof Vest and Late Bullet Proof Vest?

According to the rules, Early Bulletproof Vests use metal plates, so they are the

kind of vests developed during the American Civil War. Modern Bulletproof Vests

use plastics, which were developed after 1950, with Kevlar becoming a standard

after 1975.

Also, would flak jackets be more common for soldiers of fortune?

No, mercenaries usually can spend more money on their equipment than govern-

ments are able or willing to spend to outfit their soldiers, and therefore mercena-

ries usually have the best available gear.

When is a modern helmet a Light Helmet and when is it a Heavy Helmet?

I would treat the kind of helmet used by the explosives experts and similar speci-

alists as Heavy Helmet and the kind of helmet used by normal soldiers as Light

Helmet, because otherwise the stats do not make that much sense, since the

lightweight helmets made of non-metallic materials offer a much better protection

than the heavy metal helmets still used by some armies.

[Atgxtg]

I think I have a table with Ap's by NIJ ratings somewhere. It would give more variety than just one or two vests.

[Mysterioso]

Thanks to all. I appreciate the clarifications.