Artificial left leg, Europe, 1991

Left below knee prosthesis worn by an Army parachutist who lost his leg as a result of an IRA bomb, c1970s. Lace-up leather thigh corset with 4-point socket suspension. Above the knee restraining strap. Strap-type trouser guard. Polycentric knee joints fitted to the side steels. Foot is moulded and similar to a shop dummies with texture of skin and nails. Metal shin and plastic foot with imitation toes. Following the supply of his first prosthesis the patient was picked for the 'Red Devils' Display Team. The prosthesis was also worn by him on the "Time & Tide" which competed in the Global Challenge Yacht race in 1996.

This leg was worn by an army parachutist who lost his left leg below the knee as a result of an IRA bomb in the 1970s. Where First World War artificial legs were predominantly wooden, and Second World War limbs of light metal, this limb uses plastic as one of its main structural elements. The leg also features a moulded foot with ‘toenails’ and a skin-like texture.

Following the supply of his first prosthesis, the wearer was selected for the ‘Red Devils’ parachute display team. This prosthesis was worn by him during the Global Challenge Yacht race in 1996 aboard the Time & Tide boat. The crew was the only one whose members were physically disabled.