USAF and USN pilots

[Bebel]

Hi all,

 

Air Force and Navy flightgears collection does not stop in 1945! Here are some photos of my post-war US pilots collection. I take advantage of being in my home for a few days to re-arrange my dedicated room and make some new photos. So it's a pleasure for me to share with members of the forum.

It's a little collection but it is difficult to find anything about this thema in France. I still need to find some (rare!) items to complete it. My way of collecting would be having quality rather than quantity.

I have always loved US 50's jet era and I am very happy to have obtained all that I have here!

 

USN pilot and helmets:

 

Some flight suits and jackets:

 

USAF mae-wests and parachutes:

 

Panther in Korea:

 

Cheers,

Franck

[Sabrejet]

A quality display/collection as usual Franck!

 

Sabrejet :bravo:

[Squad leader]

Congrats,

 

It's a really nice display.

I particularly like your Gentex flying helmets (H3 & H4).

 

Dan.

[gparlin]

Franck, you have a very nice and well displayed collection. Early jet years is really hard to collect, I collected some but moved out most of the pieces about 10 years ago or so. I did keep some flight helmets, a couple of flight jackets and some century jet patches.

 

If you have a little time in the future, can you provide some close up photos of your flight helmets? Thanks for posting your collection; I certainly enjoyed and appreciate you posting it. Gregg

[Lightning Ace]

Franck,

very impressive collection and I to loved the early 50's jet age, great going. Mike

[Jack's Son]

Yes, very tastefully done.

[Bebel]

Franck, you have a very nice and well displayed collection. Early jet years is really hard to collect, I collected some but moved out most of the pieces about 10 years ago or so. I did keep some flight helmets, a couple of flight jackets and some century jet patches.

 

If you have a little time in the future, can you provide some close up photos of your flight helmets? Thanks for posting your collection; I certainly enjoyed and appreciate you posting it. Gregg

 

Thank you all for your nice comments.

 

Gregg, I will be very happy to see your helmets, jackets and others 50's stuffs you keep.

 

(I am searching since a very long time complete pilots parachutes, particularly the BA-15, BA-18, B-21 USAF versions. If you know such models for sale or trade; please tell me! :thumbsup: )

 

Left: H-4 and objects which came from Lcdr Fowler (he flew on PB-1W, AD-5W, WV-2 aircrafts, all ASW aircrafts)

Right: P-1A helmet

 

Left: Toptex helmet

Right: A-11A (late version with web chin strap) and 1945's A13A

 

Left: P-1A with 1945's A13A mask

Right: classic ww2 ANH-15 / A-14/ B-8 set

 

USN set: MK-2 life vest, 5390B suits (one is coming from the Lcdr Fowler's group) and an early version of the H-3 inner cloth helmet

[jerry_k]

What a great collection Franck!!!! Thanks for photos!!!!

You have some rigger made stuff there???

 

Best regards,

Jerry K.

btw. I still have 50's parachute neck scarf with usn stamp for sale for only 25 Euro

[Bebel]

Jerry, here are some riggers made stuffs.

 

Two suits with an additional knife pocket on the leg bottom

 

 

Survival pouch sewn on a MK-3C life preserver

 

The most classic "riggers made" work was straps on H-3 and H-4 helmets to secure both the inner cloth helmet and the external shell.

 

Franck

[jerry_k]

Thanks Frkack for these photos! Nice addition to the MK-C3 life preserver vest. I love it ! This pouch is for PSK-1 survival kit ???

 

The best regards,

Jerry K.

[Bebel]

Thanks Frkack for these photos! Nice addition to the MK-C3 life preserver vest. I love it ! This pouch is for PSK-1 survival kit ???

 

The best regards,

Jerry K.

 

Hi Jerry,

There was PSK-2 kit in each pocket.

Franck

[Bebel]

Some USAF helmets...

 

From left to right, P-1B from SAC, P-3 with his original box, P-1B on which a visor was dismounted.

 

[flight helmets 522]

Great collection, Franck. Thanks for sharing.

Phil.

[Bebel]

Some other helmets.

 

From left to right: MB4 (P-4 SAC version), P-4, P-3 (324th FIS), P-1B (seen on the first helmets photo below)

 

 

3 versions of HGU-2/P and a P-4A (9th TRS ?)

 

[Corpsmancollector]

This is fantastic! It's clear from your displays that you go for 'quality over quantity', the calibre of your items certainly display that. Bravo!

[jerry_k]

Hi Jerry,

There was PSK-2 kit in each pocket.

Franck

 

Thanks for extra info Franck

 

Regards,

JK

[gparlin]

Franck, thank you for posting the additional photos of your flight helmets, I sure do appreciate your collection. I always gravitate towards the decorated helmets, its something that you just don’t see in today’s U.S. Military. You have to love the personal touches that each pilot added.

 

You have a wonderful collection. Thanks again, Gregg

[Bebel]

"Cdr Neal's wall". Cdr Neal was VF-23 CO from 1954 to 1956. He was flying with VF-40 in Okinawa and Borneo 1945 campaigns, then served in VCN-1 night fighter squadron. He retired from the Navy in 1965 after a 25 years of flights career.

 

 

 

 

Some vintage USAF and USN ads.

 

[Bebel]

VA-881 Lt Golladay's flightgears. He was an USN Skyraider pilot.

 

 

[theguiltyone]

Fantastic display Franck, thanks for the share!

 

 

marc

[jerry_k]

Wow Franck this "Cdr Neal's grouping is neat very neat!

Thanks for photos!

JK

[Bebel]

Hi all

 

Typical 50's USAF flightgears: L-2B jacket and G-4A anti-g suit.

 

[jerry_k]

Like always very nice I like this type of jacket!!!

 

Regards,

JK

[flyusmcsson]

cool

[Bebel]

What do you think about this kind of display? I would like to take good photos of the few jackets I have in my collection.