dustin Posted October 19, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 19, 2013 I am in the process of compiling data on both Army & Navy WWII A/N series life rafts. I want to ask the assistance of the forum to post theirs...any help appreciated. Any rafts and/or cases marked M-524, AN-R-2, AN-R-2A, AN-R-2B AND AN6520-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted October 20, 2013 Share #2 Posted October 20, 2013 Check out the book: One-Man Pneumatic Life Raft Survival Kits of World War II by Schiffer Publishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks...but I am wanting see physical examples beyond that publication and any other published material. I have a complete list of contracts and purchase orders and am trying to make notes on each as to markings, modifications etc..<br />I already have a few to reference:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted October 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted October 25, 2013 I guess no one on the forum has any rafts to share for your project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted October 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted October 25, 2013 This is not exactly what you asked for but still interesting. Appears to be an RAF K Dingy case marked for AAF service. No raft but had most of the original K Dingy accessories with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted October 29, 2013 Very Nice! thanks for the addition. The Type K is really neat. The AAF AN series rafts did not reach the ETO in quantity until late 1943, the Type K was the prominent one man raft utilized by the USAAF. Your AN series raft is part of the last round of contracts by the AAF in late 1943. In march 1944 the contracts that were awarded were all change ordered to switch to the manufacture of the C-2 raft making for the same contract on both specifications. This is a C-2 raft that shares the same contract as per change order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 8, 2014 Share #7 Posted March 8, 2014 Hi Dustin, could it be useful posting some pics of my two C-2s? Only those, do not have any of true AN-R-2 series nor I'm planning to obtain - would be nice but my collecting was completed with the pilots themselves. Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted March 8, 2014 please post away Franco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2014 C-2 of March 1945: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #10 Posted March 9, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #11 Posted March 9, 2014 Here under a different lighting: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #12 Posted March 9, 2014 the markings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #13 Posted March 9, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted March 9, 2014 Nice addition Franco, here is something I don't think very many people know about. As per tech order for packing and inspection of the C-2 raft the clip for attachment to life vest has a pocket on the end. If you will note there is a male snap on one edge near clip for attachment to parachute harness. The pocket on life vest clip slips over that parachute clip and snaps to male stud on case. This is done for storage purposes and a location so the user can easily find the lanyard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 9, 2014 Share #15 Posted March 9, 2014 Thanks Dustin, yes in effect this may go easily overlooked !!! Franco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Leader Posted October 7, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 7, 2014 Hi Dustin, Here markings on my AN-6520-1 pack recently bought. Life Raft 858 AN 6520-1 KASTAR INC. CONTR - ..535..43 23471 AF DATE OF MANUFACTURE : FEB 1944 DATE OF INSPECTION : ... 1945 INSPECTED : Thanks, Mathieu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted October 8, 2014 thanks Mathieu, can you show more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Leader Posted October 8, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 8, 2014 Hi Dustin, Here an another photo to show the complete pack. I have the paddles with it. A+ Mathieu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted October 9, 2014 Share #19 Posted October 9, 2014 Hi Mathieu. Nice AAF pack but looks like the two snaps are cutted off? Refards, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted October 9, 2014 Thanks Mathieu, The snaps are indeed cut off however I would no worry about that. In the late tech order for the packing inspection and maintenance it states that the snaps are to be cut off when used with the seat type parachute making this an acceptable war time modification. The only down side is it can only be used in conjunction with a seat type in a display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Leader Posted October 9, 2014 Share #21 Posted October 9, 2014 Hi, I received the pack. The pack had originally the 2 snaps sewn. This is not a modification made later in the war to use it with a B-8 parachute or an A-3 harness. I am agree with Dustin that two snaps were cut off when the pack was used with a seat parachute.I am looking for wartime photos showing this pack with a seat parachute. Pilots from 56th, 78th and 362nd FG were equipped with RAF dinghy packs Type A or B. Thanks, Mathieu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted October 9, 2014 You looking for ETO? and in what context combat type photos or illustration photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Leader Posted October 9, 2014 Share #23 Posted October 9, 2014 Hi Dustin I found in a color movie about the 57th FG in the MTO the use of this type of pack (see after 12 minutes) : http://timkiem.tv/death-match-hitler-s-luftwaffe-vs-p-47-thunderbolts-in-europe-720p-15953706 A+ Mathieu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted October 9, 2014 Italy unknown date and unit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted October 9, 2014 zoom, note the snaps have been cut off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now