WWII US Navy SB2C Helldiver flight gear late 1944

[northcoastaero]

I am doing some research on carrier borne SB2C-3 Helldiver flight gear from late 1944 and have the following questions. Any help

would be appreciated:

 

 

-What type of parachute assembly was used by the gunner? Quick Attachable Seat or Quick Attachable Chest. I have only seen two

images of SB2C gunners wearing the harnesses. One has a QAS and the other a QAC.

 

-I have heard of the pilot using an all gray colored hand-held microphone that was similar to the T-17 series and not the RS-38.

Were there any NAF T-17 microphones? Have seen T-17 series used in PBJ Mitchell aircraft.

 

-What type of hand-held microphone was used by the gunner? Same as pilot or different?

 

-What type of oxygen mask was used during this time frame? I have heard the MSA gray colored mask may have been used.

What about the A-14? (Mask did not have a microphone in it and had a head strap-did not snap to helmet). Could the MSA

mask be fitted with an A-14 mask hose and end connector?

 

-What was the color of the QAS or QAC cushions at this time? Gray, khaki, or tan?

 

-What one person raft kit was used? AN-R-2B, AN-6520-1, or Model A?

 

-If a two person raft was located between the cockpits (accessed by the gunner), did the gunner have a one person pararaft kit also?

 

-Has anyone seen any images of the pilot or gunner wearing a M-592 back pad survival kit assy.?

 

 

[jerry_k]

PM sent!

[dustin]

There is not one simple answer for your last three questions regarding rafts and back pad kits it would really revolve around what specific unit, air group etc. and relative time frame you were trying to depict or represent. As standard aircraft equipment at the time only the pilots position would be standard for the pararaft and back pad kit in aircraft with 3 persons or less however pararafts and back pad kits were supplied to other crew positions depending on availability of also it was of personal preference. Depending on the size of the person the use of a back pad kit may make the position cramped same goes with the pararaft so they often went without or as typical modified or streamlined existing equipment to suit their needs. You will see photographs of pilots and aircrew with and with back pad kits so that is your choice if you want to include one in a display as optional. A pararaft would have certainly been supplied to the pilot and most likely to aircrew as by late 1944 is was becoming more unofficial standard to do so. All aircraft including SB would have been supplied the standard compliment of emergency equipment upon deliveries and in this case the MK-II raft. The AN-R-2B and AN6520-1 are the same thing one being the specification and the other the drawing number. The AN series pararaft was the standard in 1944 the Model-A was not introduced until 1945. Any Navy contract AN series (M-524, AN-R-2, AN-R-2A, AN-R-2B, AN6520-1) pararaft would be correct for representation for both pilot and gunner same goes with the back pad kit. I get the impression your trying to split hairs, you answered your own question regarding parachute harnesses again there is no one definitive answer you can go with either the QAS or QAC. Most likely it was personal preference of the user on which harness assembly they preffered.

[northcoastaero]

Dustin,

 

Thank-you very much for the reply. What was the M-524 raft kit and when did it enter service?

[dustin]

To keep it short and simple the M-524 is the Naval Aeronautical Specification which was re-designated as a joint Army/Navy item to specification AN-R-2 which then continued on with two subsequent amendments A & B. The one man parachute raft enter service in late 1942 on a limited basis as the AN-R-2. The one man parachute raft of the AN series was originally developed by the Bureau of Aeronautics hence the NavAir spec. M-524 then under joint Army/Navy/British committee decision it was adopted for joint Army/Navy use hence the designation change.

[northcoastaero]

Dustin,

 

Thank-you for the reply. Just curious, what rafts (if any) were used in the F2A Buffalo, F4F Wildcat, SBD Dauntless, TBD Devastator before the M-542 specification?

[dustin]

I don't know about the Buffalo if there was a compartment in the fuselage or not for a raft, this was an outdated plane and only being fielded due to lack of a better option in the early days of the war. The Wildcat which was the standard carrier fighter would have been equipped with the MK-I raft, this is a one man raft but not a parachute type it was stored in a compartment behind the cockpit same principle as with any other torpedo or dive bombers. The BuAer had four standard rafts MK-I (1-man), MK-II (2-man), MK-IV (4-man) and MK-VII (7-man) rafts. The type of raft would depend upon the number of crew so the Dauntless and Devastator would be equipped with the MK-II rafts, the Avenger the MK-IV. Bombers varied with multiples with any combination of MK-II, IV or VII and carried extras as they were often delegated for search and rescue with the extras available for air dropping to survivors. The MK-I raft become obsolete and removed from service upon adoption and deliveries of the one man parachute type and ended up as "hand me down" to Civil Air Patrol and secondary stateside patrol units with the parachute type reserved or priority for overseas units first VF class then as supply became available to VB & VT then aircraft larger than 3 person crews.

The Mark series rafts date back to 1928 and from that time 19 amendments were initiated by VJ-Day.

[northcoastaero]

Dustin,

 

Thanks again! Do you happen to have any images of the MK- series raft assemblies and contents?

[jerry_k]

Hi Dustin.

 

Here is interesting article in NAN from april 1945 about raft stuff used in all kind of planes...

 

 

 

Even a gunner in SB2C didnt used a back pad kit... but of course it is theory.

 

 

 

Cheers,

Jerry

[dustin]

Here is a picture from September 1944 displaying the MK-II raft

 

[dustin]

Hi Dustin.

 

Here is interesting article in NAN from april 1945 about raft stuff used in all kind of planes...

 

 

Even a gunner in SB2C didnt used a back pad kit... but of course it is theory.

 

 

 

Cheers,

Jerry

 

The thing to keep in mind here is that this is merely a guideline and I am not sure why this late publication was not updated to reflect Fleet Technical Bulletins etc. on the subject of issuances of....By this late date all crew positions in all aircraft would have a parachute raft relative to availability. There is a big difference between April 1945 and October 1944,night and day really, when it comes to emergency equipment. Further yet the article mentions the ADS-1, ADR-1 and AR-1, these kits were not even in service yet only recently standardized and placed on procurement. The AR-1 I don't even think made it into service before VJ-Day. General articles like these require Checks'N Balances as they are a far cry from technical often not being very reliable sources but sources none the less. Also we have to keep in mind the OP is looking at late 1944 so 1945 publications have zero relevance and to take it a step further late 1944 is more reflective on what was available and standard in early 1944 making this article easily a year ahead of the curve.

 

[northcoastaero]

Dustin and Jerry,

 

Thank-you for the replies. Is there a contents list for the MK-II raft kit?

[dustin]

This is one basic list, components changed through the progression of the war and this would be about right for Oct 1944. The picture above is the M-3Q raft but the components displayed are new items which would become standard in the M-3R this will turn into a very long discussion.

[dustin]

[dustin]

A quick look at the bulk of components. There are other acceptable variations of components. Ratio of rations 2-cans water per man and 3-tablet rations per man

[dustin]

Originally the unit would have carried one can of dye marker but by late 1944 it was deleted and replaced with three dye marker packets. Fishing kits M-552a or AN6522-1 or AN-K-2 would be acceptable for this time period. Crappy photosI just threw it together real quick so you have an idea.

[northcoastaero]

Dustin,

 

Thank-you very much for the information and images. What is the designation of the manual that the info came from? Also,

does anyone have any photos of the Mark II raft kit installed in the SB2C?

[jerry_k]

Hi North. I guess the photos of MKII rat kit installed in the SB2C would be hard thing... why You want it? You are thinking how to install a MKII do Your SB2C ?

 

cheers,

Jerry

[pararaftanr2]

The Type D (droppable) Mark II installed in an SB2C, and its carrying case. Hope this helps.

Regards, Paul

[jerry_k]

Nice photo!

[northcoastaero]

pararaftanr2,

 

Thank-you very much for the images. I do appreciate it.

[pararaftanr2]

northcoastaero,

 

PM sent.

[dustin]

Stumbled upon some older pictures I took of my MK-IV raft and with accessories that would have been store with the raft in the supply and repair pockets. not pictured is the emergency equipment container with rations, first aid etc. The MK-II would be identical except the physical dimensions of the raft itself would be smaller.

 

[dustin]

..

[davidkriss]

..

Hi Dustin -- I've tried to locate your email to private message you, but can't seem to locate it on the site. In any event, I am wondering if you would be willing to help me out with some information and reference regarding your Type D MK IV: I'm filming a documentary about my Great Uncle (a WWII rescue pilot stationed on Iwo Jima) entitled Journey to Royal, and I'm building a Type D MK IV for some re-enactment shoots. I've got most of it done and am ready to create the stencils for the bow markings and the other bits, but I don't have any good reference material for a raft with the stencil on the starboard side. Would you consider helping me get a better look at the text on the bow of your MK IV and any of the other stenciled text on your raft and raft bag so I can make it as close to 100% accurate as possible? Even a typed post with the exact wording would be a huge help.

 

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I realize this is out of the blue and I certainly don't want to impose... but I so want the props to be as close to accurate as I can make them. Cheers!