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WWII USAAF Headgear


Blue Leader
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Mathieu would you look at the B5/B6 i posted on "Sabrejets" thread ?? regarding the label and what it is covering ???

 

LB

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Hi,

I have no white B-5 helmet. I don't think that white B-6 helmet exists.

 

 

 

A+ Mathieu

Hello,

have you said, white helmet does not exist...?

...you just challenged me

 

this one has R-14 headsets and interesting label, just plain white cotton strip with stamped "Type B-6". Size large marked on regular black & yellow label

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mmm I know that there was a "white " B3 manufactured I cant for the life of me remember the manufacturer !! arrghh

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Mireks.... do you have any more photos of your white skin B6 and of the label? Alway cool to see ones fully rigged out like that, thanks for sharing.

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Hello,

have you said, white helmet does not exist...?

...you just challenged me

 

this one has R-14 headsets and interesting label, just plain white cotton strip with stamped "Type B-6". Size large marked on regular black & yellow label

attachicon.gif20DSC_0098.jpg

 

Excellent Mireks ! First time for me. I have always seen white skin B-5 helmets. Perhaps an experimental model due to the white cotton label as seen on the red skin B-6 helmet ?

 

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White B-6 helmet:

I took photos of its interior and labels. It seems there is original black&yellow label under, with the new white one sewn over it

post-813-0-54494600-1385583460.jpg

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White B-6 helmet:

you can see another stitching of the label outside. Funny, I have never realized, there are two labels until you asked me

 

post-813-0-30821000-1385583601.jpg

 

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White B-6 helmet:

and the size label.

 

post-813-0-48005000-1385583711.jpg

 

I like this helmet, it is part of my arctic outfit consisting of this B-6 helmet, B-7 parka with bullion major oak leaves, A-6 trousers and A-12 boots

 

Mirek

 

 

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Interesting to see the sponge-foam ear pieces crudely sewn inside the helmet...and typically beginning to slowly decompose. Please be warned...they will become sticky and if they come into contact with each other they will meld together!

 

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As I thought....

 

Mireks, your white B6 most likely started out life as a B5 and was converted and relabeled. I would be willing to be that underneath the white label is a B5 production label.

 

Would love to see your full arctic set up. I have a B7/A6 combo as well and have been on the lookout now for sometime for a white flight helmet to match the set.

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Here is my B6 redskin. It has an original black and gold label and is only modified by the cheek cut outs to fit the A10 O2 mask. The helmet itself is MINTY fresh and I don't believe it was ever issued and even the chin strap showed no signs of wear. I paired the helmet and mask with my recently refurbished B7 goggles with new cushions thanks to forum member Scarecrow.

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Here is another B6 helmet with rigger ear cups and O2 mask snaps. Paired with an A10a mask with microphone and cords as well as a set of Mark VII goggles.

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doinworkinvans

Wow Lits looking good!!! I know you weren't focusing on it but that sheepskin ballcap set up is so bada$$ ...favourite set up of all time.

Daniel

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Thanks Daniel, the gunners setup has always been one of my favorite setups as well. Truly is bada$$. I also love the fact that despite the B2 being a ground crew issued cap it was adopted by so many flyers. B2 cap, A8a O2 mask, B7 goggles, throat mic & headset. You can almost hear the 50 cal. blasting away in the background....

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Here my version, a typical headgear of the mid year 44 : A-11 flying helmet, AN-6530 goggles, A-14 oxygen mask and M-3 flak helmet.

The M-3 is standardised in early 44 and therefore can not have been worn in May 43 as is the case in the film Memphis Belle. Note that in Memphis Belle none of crew member wear flying goggles (optional), the pilot has no parachute (also optional) and the others harnesses did not match with any known model parachute. The co-pilot wears a pretty lousy B-8, not even a B-7. Lifejackets are late pattern B-4 with back strap and no B-3, flying helmets A-11 instead of B-6. Even headphones are not correct. A-8B oxygen masks are after war. And last detail, they are the 324th BS patch sewn right on their A-2 and much too high. t

These errors are astounding because in return we see rare equipments such F-1 blue bunnies, correct A-6 boots ...

 

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Mathieu

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Second head, later late 44, early 45, it consists of an A-11 flying helmet, A-14 oxygen mask, B-8 flying goggles and a M-4A2 Flak helmet, decidedly more modern !

 

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Mathieu

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  • 1 month later...

More Flak Helmets ...

 

M-4 late model, Type C pattern 43 flying helmet equipped with a HS-38 radio set, AN-6530 flying goggles.

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A+ Mathieu

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