BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 5, 2014 My very first pilot was this, now not longer in collection. Made 1992 - 1996 (one of the quickest, as for the needed time some others required 5 - 7 years)- P-51 pilot of 15th Air Force, winter 1944-45. USAAF helmet A-11, RAF MK-VIII Goggles, A-14 mask with T-44 microphone and RAF-style harness. B-15 Intermediate Flight Jacket and "D" Pattern R.A.F. Gauntlets. (continues).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted March 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted March 5, 2014 On left arm, a ID band of the so-called "Invasion" type, original with pins. Some fadings. B-4 type Life Vest, contracted for the USAAF (some stampings of 1944 and 1945). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted March 5, 2014 Flight suit is a "old" pattern A-4, actually it was worn virtually up to war's end - green fabric, somehow coarser than the younger AN-6552 suit. Somehow rare the tan-colored case for the H-1 Emergency BailOut Bottle, more usual if in greenish color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted March 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted March 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted March 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted March 5, 2014 Parachute is a B-8 without canopy and shroud lines, a so great achievement to have one of these even in empty form in those years. Liked especially the RAF "D" Gloves - actually, as for the MK-VIII goggles they were sought after by US airmen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted March 5, 2014 Another close-up: (continues..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted March 5, 2014 Original "Russian Shuttle Missions" US "Blood Chit" as carried by many UA airmen in "shuttle missions" from England or Italy. This P-51 pilot would be ideally Italy-based as for the 15th Air Force. Blood Chit is one of two types very similar between them - this is printed in BLUE letters on a paper-like cloth (very thin, a single layer). The other pattern is printed in BLACK letters on a doudle layer cloth (sewn together along borders). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted March 5, 2014 B-15's collar is still in very good state. White neck scarf was the only non-original thing of all them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted March 6, 2014 Share #12 Posted March 6, 2014 Another fine set up but as with your P-38 guy ditch the navy dye marker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted March 6, 2014 hi Dustin, also in this case the photo is from several years ago (pilot is not longer in my collection), Navy dye marker was gone toward a more correct display. Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marentius Posted March 6, 2014 Share #14 Posted March 6, 2014 Franco,greetings from Italy,congratulations for the beautiful collection and the great pics!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted March 6, 2014 Thanks Marentius!! You also a collector of this.. "stuff"? . Would be too much nice!! Regards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted March 6, 2014 Close up of left arm, and "Invesion Band"-style ID armband. In B-15's left pocket the case for sunglasses, in this instance one of many civilian US-made variations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted March 6, 2014 Labels inside the "D" Pattern, R.A.F. gloves: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted March 10, 2014 MK VIII RAF goggles and RAF gloves were intentionally used here on this one wich was my very first pilot (presently, not longer in collection), even if my intention was to make a 8th Air Force mannequinn. Not willing to remove the 15th Air Force patch from the B-15 jacket, so after all a complete rig such this one is not incorrect if worn by a P-51 guy Italy-based. A-6 shoes and relatively heavy RAF gloves could indicate this guy flies in the winter 1944-45 timeframe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted March 20, 2014 Share #19 Posted March 20, 2014 Awesome! Great display and info on here about it. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted March 20, 2014 Really pleased you likes it!! Thanks for enjoying. Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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