AAF_Collection Posted September 23, 2012 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2012 Hi, I'm seeking details of the equipment used in the AAF type A-3 Pneumatic Life Raft,as carried in several WWII bombers. I have the raft and it's bag,but it's missing the onboard equipment. Thanks! Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quartermaster Posted September 23, 2012 Share #2 Posted September 23, 2012 I have a list of the components for the kit on what I believe is the A-3 Life Raft. It comes from the Pilots' Information File dated 10/1/1943. Sea Anchor (this is a large canvas bucket - put in water to slow drifting & keep the raft from turning broadside) Sail Bailing Bucket Ration A (estimate your probable time afloat & ration this food according to conditions) Shade & Camouflage Cloth (yellow on 1 side & blue on other - use for signaling, sun/wind/spray protection or to catch rain - use blue side for camouflage from enemy) Emergency Drinking Water (sealed in cans, 11 oz per can with air space for freezing) Line (lashing cord used to tie objects aboard or to tie boats together) First-Aid Kit Inflating Pump (for topping off inflatable units in raft) Puncture Plugs (bullet hole plugs - wooden plugs used to seal any leaks or holes in the raft) Signal Mirror Flashlight (floating water-proof type - tie it to the raft with the cord provided - let it float as a night signal - battery will last 24 hours) Fishing Tackle Jacknife Whistle Sea Marker (a red powder - pour in water when plane is spotted - forms a slick about 50 yards square which will last 1/2 to 2 hours) Repair Patch Kit (all right for dry repairs but not useful when raft is wet) Wrist Compass Signal Kit (contains a flare pistol & 5 or 6 flares) Oars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted September 23, 2012 Many thanks for your reply Dwayne,that is exactly what I was looking for!. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted June 9, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 9, 2013 Hello Matt, Could you possibly post a pic of your raft? The picture from the PIF is actually for the E-2A which is a 7 man raft. Your A-3 or A-3A is rated for 4-5 people but more considered a 4 man. So the good news is that the only difference in an accessorie layout would be less rations and water (4 ea.) I have been accumilating the accessories for an A-3 and only missing the two sails/paulins and half the ditress signal kit to complete the unit. There are many variables in the accessories depending on era you want it to be 1943-1944-1945. Obviously you have a good late 1943 reference. At the date of the publication the wooden oars were being phased out in favor of Aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heliographer Posted March 4, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 4, 2016 Hi, I'm seeking details of the equipment used in the AAF type A-3 Pneumatic Life Raft,as carried in several WWII bombers. I have the raft and it's bag,but it's missing the onboard equipment. Thanks! Matt. The signal mirror in the PIF is the ESM/I - lots of good information on it in Dustin's thread here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2412-wwii-emergency-signal-mirror/ The training video for that mirror is here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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