I want to collect a complet gear of a P-47 fighter pilot from around mid 1943.

Here is a list with which I think I've to buy. Can anyone confirm, correct or add this gear?

Also, did USAAF fighter pilots wore the RAF-C helmet with the RAF H-type oxygen mask and communication set? I can get a good deal in buying such a lot, but I want to know if they also used this set.


-RAF 'C' Flight Helmet

-A-14 Oxygen Mask

-US R-14 Receivers

-B-7 Goggles

-Mae West B-3 Life Jacket

-A-2 Flight Jacket

-Pants, type?
-Boots, standard GI-equipment

 -Parachute, type?
-Gloves, type?

I want to make a summer outift.

Thanks!

Hi,

I know an ex P-47 pilot and this is what he wore in the ETO during summer:

Helmet is AN-H-15 with receivers (ANB-H-1), A-14 oxygen mask with British style radio plug and B-8 goggles (or AN-6530).

Flight suit is Type A-4 or AN-6550. Mae West can be a B-3 or early B-4 pattern.
His shoes are low quarter shoes or even service dress shoes (but GI boots can fit as well).

Of course, you can add an A-2 jacket.
Parachute is a seat-type parachute (f.e. S-1 or S-2 type).

Gloves he used were RAF issue D type or 1941 pattern.

You can always take a look at my website (see link below) for such examples of mannequins. Feel free to drop me a line if you need more info.

Regards,

Michael

Allied flight gear in WW II:
www.alliedflightgear.com

Thanks for your reply Michael, this is very useful! Did he wore this outfit also in 1943?

Great website by the way! I will study it and if there are more questions, you'll hear from me!

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words about the site. Yes, the pilot used to wear this kind of equipment in '43 until the end of the war.
Sometimes he wore a normal officers pants ("Pink pants") with his A-2 jacket instead of the suit.

Another thing I forgot to point out, the British C Type helmet was worn by USAAF crew with ANB-H-1 receivers installed instead of the usual British telephones.
The H Type oxygen mask is NOT an option as it was introduced late '44, early '45.

Michael

Allied flight gear in WW II:
www.alliedflightgear.com

Okay, that saved me from buying the wrong stuff!

This is the exact gear I want to build:
[url=http://www.web-birds.com/8th/56/62nd/stover2.jpg]Picture 1[/url]
[url=http://www.web-birds.com/8th/56/62nd/stover3.jpg]Picture 2[/url]

I think this pilot is wearing the RAF C helmet, isn't he? It's hard to say when he wore this, just before his final flight or back in the US?

Are these of any help to you in your quest?
 
I have a friend who has been working to put a complete outfit together and these are a few of the things.

Attached Image(s)

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

Here are a few other things he has put together for his collection.

Attached Image(s)

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

Wonderful items P.A.! Thanks for sharing! I'm getting an idea now of how it all will look like. Not it's time to hunt some beautiful items down. ;)

I can buy an A-2 jacket for a nice price. However, after some research on the internet I have my doubts that this is an authentic A-2 flight jacket from the WWII era. The seller is trying to convince me it is, but maybe someone over here can give me some advice.

The jacket has the Talon zipper, the seller says that the jackets after WWII didn't have those zippers.
The jacket has buttons on which is 'written': scovill, doesn't ring a bell.
I asked if there were the typical 'vent' holes in the armpit, but the seller says that he thinks those weren't in WWII models. (?)
To me it also seems that the front pockets are too large.

These are the pictures: 








Thanks.

Hi,

Don't buy this jacket. It's not an original.
Talon did zippers during the war, but after the war too.
On this jacket, the lining is not correct, pockets are too big, each arm must be done with two pieces of leather only.
Try this great site to find descriptions of original jackets :
http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/a2intro.html

You'll find also many close up pics in my "blog" : 
http://usaaf.aliceblogs.fr/blog/BlousonsdevolFlightjackets/photospicsclickhere/A2

I hope it helps.

Tim.

Pics of my original USAAF collection : http://usaaf.aliceblogs.fr/blog

Thanks Tim! I already thought this because I also visited the website you mentioned.

I advised the seller to change the title of his auction....