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AAC Arctic wear B7 jacket and A6 pants


mr_lits
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I figured it is time to show off the my B7 parka and A6 pants combo. I have been searching for a LONG time to gather this set. Though they are both named to different officers I am pleased to bring the group together. The jacket is complete and without repair or blemish (other than some wear and mild discoloration), in a fantastic size 44. You can also see my F1 "blue bunny" suit peaking out from under the parka. The pants have been re-ziped but have the original talon zipper pulls reinstalled. These are great examples of the flight clothing that would have been issued to Alaskan flight crew members. Still needs a pair of A10 flight boots to finish it all out. I have included a photo of Clark Gable surrounded by fellow crew wearing B7's as a reference. Hope yall enjoy. Any thoughts or opinions are quite welcome as well as any direction towards a set of A10 boots.

 

Thanks

Rob L.

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Nice display Rob !!! thats a great photo too ;) , shows just how the gear would have looked in the day !!! thanks for sharing buddy

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More photos you say! MORE PHOTOS!!...

 

Let the unveiling begin!...

 

First is the jacket. It was issued to Lionel "Lee" Boisclair and marked on the front pockets and the back of the neck under the hood with his initials. While photographing I found a new bit written on the back side of the left pocket, his name stamped twice and a huge beautiful signature! it blew my mind to find this!! Anyway enjoy...

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As for the A6 pants here are some more picts. I took a good photo of one of the re-zips (seem like a decent job), and glad to still have the old pulls on em. Enjoy...

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thats my jacket Rob !!! its got my initials LB !!!! :lol: FANTASTIC JACKET !!! wish i hadnt passed up on that other one now !!!!

 

LB

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The jacket is truly a gem in the collection for sure! It is so hard to find em in any condition, let alone blemish free. So cool to find the signature too.

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Rob- nice grouping! My USN flight leather trousers M-446A zippers are covered with blue corrosion. Should I leave them as is or restore? I just acquired them with an entire group that I plan to sell. Other 1942 flight items include leather jacket M-444A, boots M380B, 3-finger leather gloves, leather pilots helmet NAF 092 with goggles A-N 6530 and headset telephonics TH37. Pilots name is on the jacket. Also have copies of his flight log and personal and personnel records.

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As for the verdigris (blue green corrosion). I would ask if the teeth and zipper pull are still intact? If so I would gently and carefully use a bit of oil and a toothbrush to work the zipper clean of the oxidization. This may free up the zipper. If the zip is broken in anyway and you are planning on selling I would leave the task of re-zipping to the buyer. Buyers are funny like that, some absolutely abhore re-zips, others see it as functional restoration or repair.

 

It sounds like you have a really nice and complete set. The flight logs are a GREAT addition. You should post the set here before you sell it! I would love to take a peek at it.

 

Thanks

Rob L.

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are the mukluks on the mannequin marked in any way? regrettably I got rid of a pair of AAF types, these are not to be confused with the A-14 models. the USQMC models are white were as the AAF type tends to be tan upper and lower.

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Thanks for the additions, the photos are great! I have seen the second photo before, it is one of my favorite B7 photos I have seen. The B10s in the photo are EXACTLY what I have been looking for!! I have only seen em come to market several times and only once in good shape.

 

Here are some more photos of the moccasins. Pretty cool but I'm not sure how rare they really are. I don't have much knowledge about em and think I may have overpaid at the time. Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks

Rob l.

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I think they are harder to find than the A-10's...yep those are marked just like mine were thanks for the photos.. Two pair of these would have been included in the E-1 and E-12 sustenance kits. These are the predecessors to the green rubber soled A-14's

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Awesome!! Thanks for the tidbit. I have not seen another AAF marked pair but made the purchase without clear knowledge of what exactly they were, to be honest.

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Actually the set is nicer than the one we have displayed in the Anchorage Museum! They have a B7 which has a couple of rips and repairs paired with a set of A5 pants. This was the first time I saw a B7 and knew at that moment I really need one for the collection.

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