I asked Gord Crossley from the Fort Garry Horse museum if he has any information on the black pad and the only reference he could find on it was on this website;
https://milart.blog/2013/09/07/canad...-tank-helmets/
Roger Lucy wrote the article so I’m sure he would find it interesting! Hopefully we will hear from him.
If you think the mannequin head has a spooky stare you should see the picture of ME wearing it. I sent it to Rob, see if he’ll post it?
Derk