Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 14, 2014 This came in the mail today. Unissued, in-the-box. It's a A-14 mask with accessories specifically for use by the 8th AF in the ETO. The box is marked as such. The pics are just snapshots taken as I unpacked it, but they show the components clearly enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted February 14, 2014 Next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted February 14, 2014 Next... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted February 14, 2014 Next...fitted to a display head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachmaster Posted February 14, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 14, 2014 Nice work there Buddy, was this one of the recent ones up for grabs on Ebay, the seller had quite a few in various states and completeness. Cheers Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted February 14, 2014 Thanks. No...it came from a specialist British aviation memorabilia dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachmaster Posted February 14, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 14, 2014 Nice work, Ive just bought another myself from the States, size medium, seeing a lot around these days which have gone hard, sad to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted February 14, 2014 Nice work, Ive just bought another myself from the States, size medium, seeing a lot around these days which have gone hard, sad to see. I've got a few of these A14s, some supple like the day they were made, others a little stiff. Even this unissued one has lost some flexibility in its cheek pieces, but it's fine for display. Unfortunately, 70 year old rubber is prone to natural degradation caused by irreversible chemical changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted February 15, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 15, 2014 I was always curiosity if this mask straight from box still saled are always good, not dry and cracked from storage... Looks very fresh and strong! Cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted February 15, 2014 I was always curiosity if this mask straight from box still saled are always good, not dry and cracked from storage... Looks very fresh and strong! Cheers, Jerry Just a little "stiff" in the area of the cheek pieces Jerry, but nothing serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted February 16, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 16, 2014 Good It would be painfull buy a "new" mask and after open a wrap, mask would be still like hell, unable to display. Cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted February 16, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 16, 2014 Ian, Are those the goggles you bought from Ken on the form on the left? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted February 16, 2014 The Skyways? Affirmative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted February 16, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 16, 2014 Yes, the skyways. I bought the other pair and I'm anxiously awaiting for them to arrive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted February 16, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 16, 2014 That is a Beauty!!!! I was out bid on a couple of these that were just on ebay. If someone could be so kind as to let me know, What is the "8th A.F. MODIFICATION" to these A14's? I am working on a display and it would be for a member of the 8th A.F.. Is the "8th A.F. MODIFICATION" the type I need to be looking for to have my display correct? Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted February 16, 2014 The info leaflet refers to a modification described as an "anti-freeze insert " intended to prevent icing up at altitude, which sounds about right for 8th AF O2 equipment given the extreme altitudes at which they routinely operated. This modification is internal and therefore cannot be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted February 16, 2014 Share #17 Posted February 16, 2014 Thank You Sabrejet for the quick reply. Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel.R Posted February 26, 2014 Share #18 Posted February 26, 2014 Nice specimen Ian , displays very nicely . Here's a photo of the 8TH AF Mod Phil . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted February 26, 2014 Share #19 Posted February 26, 2014 Very nice Ian. I recall seeing boxed ones at every show when I was a boy.Price was $10-$15 each.All the surplus dealers in ShotGun News had them as well.l still have the boxed one l bought 40 years ago and a few others.Seems like they were plentiful at one time then dried up over night.Even the auctions here would produce one's 3to 4 times a year but not so much now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted February 26, 2014 Ron... I wish they were just $10 / $15 today!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted February 26, 2014 Nice specimen Ian , displays very nicely . Here's a photo of the 8TH AF Mod Phil . Thanks for adding that photo Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted February 26, 2014 Share #22 Posted February 26, 2014 Ron... I wish they were just $10 / $15 today!! Me 2. I have a boxed one in a USN pilots group.He served late war through the 50s.Flew Panthers then Cargo planes out of Minneapolis. Several I have had over the years even have vBulletin the mic installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted February 27, 2014 Share #23 Posted February 27, 2014 $10-$15!!!! Man O Man. If I knew back then what I know now. I would have saved my lawn mowing money for these. Also a big Thank's to you Nigel for that pic!!!!! Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel.R Posted February 27, 2014 Share #24 Posted February 27, 2014 A pleasure Ian, Phil . I too remember when they were cheap and plentiful , not 10-15 USD cheap but... as doyler said they were all over the place even Here in the U.K. back then I collected Jet age U.S. stuff and passed up many a boxed A-14 . now I buy them when I find them because they're getting very hard to find especially in nice shape . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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