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Collection from Italy: #2 P-38 Pilot, Tropical Environment


BlueBookGuy
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BlueBookGuy

Now, something for the AAF :D :D

P-38 pilot, late 1944, 13th Air Force, Morotai Island.

 

(continued )...

 

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BlueBookGuy

Will post more decent pics of course - some small issues in re-sizing my photos.

Mannequinn airbrushed in "tanned" skin color, and a bit of unshaved beard added. This guy still retains the more USN-oriented shoulder holster for the S&W .38 revolver, could be an uncommon instance more than a true error. Not a bad display after all, one day or another I will exchange this for the Corsair pilot's M-3 .l45 holster and vice-versa.

 

AN-H-15 summer helmet is without its built-in radio receivers, so I put on it a standard AAF HS-38 set. Copied from the photo of Capt. Haning of 475th Fighter Group. Complete parachute is a Pioneer B-8 backpack-style, with attached seat cushion and (after many years) a complete C-2 Raft Pack.

The wound in left forearm was... treated with a original bandage from First Aid Kit :D

 

(continued)

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BlueBookGuy

Life Vest is a B-3, still used by many airmen even in late 1944. Summer helmet without built-in earphones is made by Selby Shoes Company.

 

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BlueBookGuy

Correct USAF extension for the PL-354 red plug of HS-33 radio set. Flight Gloves are the summer pattern B-3, somehow faded (this subvariant was deep brown when new).

Safety lanyard from the inner container (the raft, actually) of C-2 Raft Kit is clipped to right-side ring of B-3 Life Vest. Cushion also is visible.

 

(continued..)

 

 

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BlueBookGuy

"Combat wound" in left side forearm is "treated" of course, with original bandages from his First Aid Kit :rolleyes:

 

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BlueBookGuy

Another view. Pouch at waist belt has some original Emergency items, including "Blood Chit" of Washington design and Hershey's Chocolade.

 

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That's a great looking mannequin. (BTW...those are Army '44 pattern goggles, not aviators' B8s...but you probably knew that anyway? ;) ) Fantastic display!

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BlueBookGuy

Hello Sabrejet, possibly might I have caused a bit confusion when mentioning the B-8 (referring to parachute) in post #7 I believe? Yes goggles are Army pattern 1944, not B-8.

Among others, they miss the nosebridge-covering extension of frame padding.

 

Glad you like it!!

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good looking set up but might I make a suggestion, switch shoulder holsters. The shoulder holster you have here is for the .38 Victory which is a standard navy sidearm and the .45 auto AAF. Also kill the navy dye marker its not very accurate.

I like the modified C-2 raft, its a first production case that has had the snap clips reversed. This would have been the version used first in theatre and very accurate.

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BlueBookGuy

Hi Dustin, photo was takev several years ago and that Navy dye marker has already gone, just on that other F4U pilot. The one at lower right of B-3 Vest is cemented.

 

Cushion looks to be from a AN-6510 series seat 'chutes. The C-2 pack is indeed a great piece!!

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BlueBookGuy

AAF emblem printed on sleeve of AN-S-31 summer kakhi suit. The US flag was perhaps printed on oilcloth-type fabric, subsequently sewn on.

 

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