Collection from Italy: #3 F-86E Pilot, Korea 1952-53

[BlueBookGuy]

The first sub-variation of the MC-3 connector of MS-22001 mask (metal-colored and very much bell-shaped):

 

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanks so much Sabrejet !!

[BlueBookGuy]

hello all,

think it could be time for a newer and better set of photos for this guy, those previously taken years ago were decidedly ugly (mostly, simply awful).  With a better lighting, backdrop, and some more knowledge these should give a bit more justice in my opinion.

Franco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlueBookGuy]

...and still these. Hope they turn out being interesting as for the details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlueBookGuy]

... the last shots

 

 

 

[Randy]

Great collection of gear! But, I have one small authenticity issue with the patch. It is a 334th TFS era one from the 60s-80s. The KW one would have been larger, with black tabs not blue. It also would have been worn on the chest, usually with the pilot's name. I know they are not easy to find;  I included mine here. Not criticizing your fantastic efforts here, just making you aware if you already were not.

 

Randy

[BlueBookGuy]

Randy thanx very much for appreciating! 

As for that patch, yes the same thing has been already brought to light by another Forum member, maybe two, who expressed some doubts. My fault, 'cause a tiny thing like removing it from the suit I always postpone. When I got it many years ago at a militaria event here in Italy I could choose between the WW2 vintage K-1 summer flight suit and one Korea-era blue model, both were attractive but I got the khaki one having the patch already sewn on.

Cannot state I was looking exactly for a 334th F.S. patch, no reasons for that; a Korea-based mannequinn was in my mind but could have been a F-80 pilot as well, for example.  Will do ultimately this modification, in fact no reason to have in full view a wrong piece among the other good ones.

Thanx for your confirmation too.  Franco.

 

[AZPhil]

Excellent display BBG!!

 You took it down to the finest details and BAM!!! It looks Awesome!!!

 

 I love the tiger paint job on the helmet!!!

 

Semper Fi

Phil

[BlueBookGuy]

Too kind Phil, thanx a lot!

[pararaftanr2]

Franco,

Another fine job. I can appreciate all the research time, effort, patience and expense it took to put this together in such detail.

Best regards, Paul

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanx very much Paul,

it took decidedly too much time to put together this guy, I duly stumbled here and there into difficulties and inaccuracies back then in non-internet times  😓  -   all the items here came from within Italy, or France in a couple instances. Vintage photos from books and/or magazines were helpful but many a detail were too often hard to clearly see and study.

The raft in its case came six years after starting the thing, thus ending the guy  -  aside for a very few and small mods in order to enhance, where requested.

 

[dustin]

What kind of raft pack you running with? C-2 or C-2A?

 

I have an absolute cherry C-2A, August 1952 manufactured case and raft that would look great with that assembly. I'll sell it really cheap, of course shipping to Italy would be a little spendy maybe, but give it a thought.

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanx Dustin,

always interesting to know. Will tell you something.

[Bebel]

Franco, very complete set. Unfortunately 1950/60s era flightgears sets seem to be scarce on the forum! 😉

 

Patches were not really used on flightsuits at this time in USAF as they were on flight jackets.

 

One example of the 334th patch I've kept from my own former US jet era collection. Hope this helps.

 

Franck

 

[Bebel]

[Bebel]

[Bebel]

[Bebel]

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanx for appreciating Franck, as well as for those GREAT photos!!  Very nice pieces, you have (or, had) a impressive collection.

Yes that shoulder patch isn't correct  -   back then I had been tempted by this K-1 having already it sewn on, but maybe it was better if I'd have gone on the blue L-1 like your's (it was available too, that same morning at the militaria event). Will remove it, definitely.

Please just a couple questions: I like especially the back-style 'chute with the box-type closure, is it a variation from the B-10 of late WW2 ?  And, was the Navy MK-2 Life Vest sometimes used by USAF airmen as well ? Thanx!!

Franco.

 

[Bebel]

Franco,

 

This one is a 1945 dated B-10. But yes, there were B-11, B-11A and B-12 variation in the end of the 40s and early 50s. I don't have my docs near me. But I think I remember that B-12 version was the ultimate variation of this parachutes generation and that it had the green harness.

 

Oh yes! USAF pilots were often using USN MK-2 vest. We can see a lot of pictures illustrating this fact.

 

Franck

 

[BlueBookGuy]

...great picture!  Why was the MK-2 so liked? Perhaps not enough B-5 available?

[Bebel]

That's a good question! 😄 Perhaps lighter or better in case of use? I really don't know. But it's common enough to see it on USAF pilots.

[Bebel]

In the same way, some USN pilots were using P serie helmets.

[Bebel]

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanx,

very interesting. I had seen two-three photos in the past of USAF aviators wearing the MK-2 but thought they were really exceptions  -   evidently the thing could speak positively for the Navy type 🙂