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WW2 USAAF Flight Gear


Gildwiller1918

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Here is a WW2 era United State Army Air Force (USAAF) Flak Helmet set. These were worn by bomber crews, photo and recon missions, airdrops, etc. The Flak Helmet is M3, which is virtually identical the M1 Helmet used by the US Military, just modified. The internal suspension is comparable with the M1 helmet as well. The metal ear flaps are on hinges with felt pads inside. The helmet has a chin strap assembly to ensure a good fit once in the air. The canvas flight helmet is the AN-H-15 model, which was used for low altitude missions or in areas where the weather did not necessitate the leather or lined versions. It has the ear cup headphones with the cable attachments to plug into the aircraft. The goggles are made by Polaroid, and are designated the B-8 model. The oxygen mask is the A-14 type, which was used for many years after the war as well, this one is dated 9-44.

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The oxygen mask listed above is mint condition, it came with the packaging box, which is listed below. Not something you see very often. 

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Here are the AN-6530 Goggles, one of the most widely used flight goggles during WW2 by US forces. You can see pilots from the Navy to the USAAF wearing these. The lenses could be removed and different shades added as needed, the last picture shows clear lenses in the original packaging and the box the goggles came in.

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Here is another WW2 USAAF flight helmet set. This is the leather flight cap version, the A-11, in a rare x-large size. It has internal headphones, with jacks to connect to the aircraft, also has a throat mic assembly as the oxygen mask does not have any voice capabilities. The mask itself is the A-10 model dated 4-44 size large. The goggles are the ones from the previous post. 

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Here is another hard to find item, WW2 USAAF pilots parachute model AN-6510. Pilots sat on these parachutes versus other crew members who wore their chutes on their backs or attached to their chest. Reason for this, space in the cockpit was cramped so the chutes became the seats for the pilots as the metal framed chairs had a well to accommodate the chutes, this chute also has the pad (visible in last photo) for the pilot to sit on that went over the chute for added comfort. 

The parachute dated 1943, and is complete with the 24 foot diameter parachute inside. The harness and chute are quite heavy and constructed very well. These are getting very hard to find in this condition and expensive, there are very affordable reproductions being made today that look very convincing, so do your research before buying. 

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  • Gildwiller1918 changed the title to WW2 USAAF Flight Gear
  • 4 months later...
On 21/11/2019 at 02:11, Gildwiller1918 said:

Here are the AN-6530 Goggles, one of the most widely used flight goggles during WW2 by US forces. You can see pilots from the Navy to the USAAF wearing these. The lenses could be removed and different shades added as needed, the last picture shows clear lenses in the original packaging and the box the goggles came in.

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Unfortunately these are US Navy contract AN 6530'S . Note the Contract number is NXS .

AAF contracts began with the prefix W535 AC and then later W33 o38 AC 

Same goggle but the box of issue for AAF contracts for American Optical and Chas Fischer were of a smaller size ( basically the goggles were folded in half when packed , not laid out flat) .

 

 

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  • 10 months later...
On 20/11/2019 at 19:54, Gildwiller1918 said:

Here is a WW2 era United State Army Air Force (USAAF) Flak Helmet set. These were worn by bomber crews, photo and recon missions, airdrops, etc. The Flak Helmet is M3, which is virtually identical the M1 Helmet used by the US Military, just modified. The internal suspension is comparable with the M1 helmet as well. The metal ear flaps are on hinges with felt pads inside. The helmet has a chin strap assembly to ensure a good fit once in the air. The canvas flight helmet is the AN-H-15 model, which was used for low altitude missions or in areas where the weather did not necessitate the leather or lined versions. It has the ear cup headphones with the cable attachments to plug into the aircraft. The goggles are made by Polaroid, and are designated the B-8 model. The oxygen mask is the A-14 type, which was used for many years after the war as well, this one is dated 9-44.

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Good morning Sir. 

Can you post a better pics of your A-14 over head strap?

 

Regards,

Jerry

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Here you go Naval Aviator, if you want/need anything else please let me know.

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