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Collection from Italy: #8 F-16 PILOT, Edwards A.F.B. 1987-92


BlueBookGuy
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BlueBookGuy

Hello again,

this is another (and the last one) pilot of my "half squadron" - a modern F-16C guy from the Test Squadron of Edwards AFB.

Timeframe could be about 1987-92 or so, the LPU-9/P Life Preserver could not have been on the scene much earlier in my opinion (this is inspected 1988). Helmet is still the "plain" HGU-55/P without any additions for the "combat edge" system.

 

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BlueBookGuy

Flight suit is the Navy Blue CWU-73/P with epaulets.

This test pilot is equipped with the PCU-15/P Torso Harness in its variant worn by F-16, B-1B and B-2 aircrews (hardware is commonly known as "Frost" fittings, as opposed to the widely used "Koch" fittings of harnesses for F-4, F-15, A-7D, A-10, etc.

 

The design of LPU-9/P Life Preserver is a complete departure from the long-lasting series of the "underarm"-style ones, started with the MA-2 of mid-'50s through the LPU-2/P and the identical LPU-10/P.

 

post-151851-0-84060400-1394991782.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

Torso Harness for F-16 pilots is virtually the same as the standard PCU-15/P in itself, as said the difference is in the quick release fittings.

This specimen is not fitted with any PLD (Personnel Lowering Device) on its back. An emergency "Camillus" knife is tied to the left-side chest strap.

 

post-151851-0-15534100-1394991837.jpg

 

 

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BlueBookGuy

CRU-60/P is the standard oxygen connector mounted on chest strap, having replaced the old CRU-8/P type since about 1962-64.

Mask is in this instance the "plain" MBU-12/P - color is here the dark green, the standard before introduction of helmet-matching dull Grey.

 

post-151851-0-72002600-1394992079.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

One of the "Frost" quick release fittings for disposing in emergency of parachutechute's canopy and risers. These made by "Teledyne McCormick Selph" and more correctly labelled "MXU - 683/P".

Their part/number in USAF inventory is 818545. Background color of label is blue here - many specimens seen in red color also.

 

post-151851-0-17123800-1394992353.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

Anti-G pants are the standard CSU-13/BP, somehow different from the CSU-15/P then used by Navy and Narines airmen.

CSU-13/P first appeared about 1973, and was the classic USAF (and NATO, often) anti-G garment for more than 35 years, USN CSU-15/P has a different color, exterior surface finish, and zippered pockets.

 

Flight gloves are the B-3A here in a true yellow color. Made by "Steinberg Bros." in various shades of brown, tan and grey.

 

post-151851-0-03028800-1394992802.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

Lower end of LPU-9/P's left-side half sports a small external pocket, for its inspection document. This one has dates of 1988 and 1989.

This type of LP could be seen as an enhanced variant of the classic Navy LPU-23/P, upsized and having auto-inflation capability.

 

post-151851-0-39778200-1394994125.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

Here a very simple, all-plastic kneeboard made of relatively soft material and velcro-secured straps holds some original flight charts.

 

(continues..)

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BlueBookGuy

Thanks Jerry!

 

This pilot was relatively "easy" for me to assemble, despite having acted still in not-Internet years (made about 1997-99). Truly new items include the CSU-13/BP pants, the HGU-55/P helmet, the MBU-12/P mask, the B-3A gloves and the neck scarf.

CWU-73/P suit and LPU-9/P Life Preserver were in used conditiond but still excellent. The torso harness was used. Generally speaking this is an attractive fighter pilot yet lacking (for me at least) the fascinating appeal of an USAF aviator from about 25 years before... but thought it couldn't be missing from an ideal line of mannequinns, if representing about from mid-'80s to early '90s.

 

Franco.

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BlueBookGuy

The CSU-13/BP anti-G pants and the latest pattern "jungle boots", as seen sometimes worn by pilots in the U.S. even in peacetime:

 

post-151851-0-50259300-1395015547.jpg

 

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BlueBookGuy

The MBU-12/P oxygen mask was, actually, developed first for the US Navy - very first specimens did exist about late summer 1979. The true Navy-pattern mask was somehow more complexed both as for oxygen fittings and communications (and more correctly known as MBU-14/P), while in this respect the USAF subvariant was simpler and known as the MBU-12/P.

 

In this instance, facecup and hose are of two different hues of green:

 

post-151851-0-81358500-1395059653.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

If remember OK, my first MBU-12/P mask for this pilot had grey facecup and green hose.

I knew it was anyway correct (had seen many a photo of these "hybrids" in actual service) but I preferred later to replace it with a all-green one - actually, a bargain with another Italian collector.

 

Thanks for watching! Franco.

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BlueBookGuy

One more detail you collectors already know well anyway:

one telling difference of MBU-12/P mask comparing to the previous, very long-lasting MBU-5/P model is the basic material itself. In the MBU-5/P the silicone rubber facecup was of the same hardness (or softness, if we do prefer) all over the main body.

In the MBU-5/P we can easily see the lower portion (very hard and absolutely stiff) made in a more bright green color - the upper portion of facecup (softer, because it must somehow adapt itself to wearer's skin) is a dull and different green, almost the same of the corrugated hose.

 

(cont'ed..)

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BlueBookGuy

Mannequin for this display was retrieved from a dump, like another one in my collection. In repairable conditions it needed anyway a rather exacting work but indeed worthy of it, given the various prices I was seeing around at the time but all very high :o (if you wanted a well built, top realistic guy in new conditions of course).

Apparently, it was virtually impossible to find out an used one.

 

After the repairs were done (plus, exchanging the two hands with the pair from another pilot - this, for a matter of making gloves fit well) an airbrushing job in skin-like color over the original white.

A differencs from pilots wich wear the rather heavy back-style parachute, this one (but also some others as well) has a near perfect center of gravity wich makes superfluous any wedges or similar, to be placed under its feet. Overall weight is another matter however, it being tall and made of a dense resin-like material (clothing and equipment in themselves do not add so much to the weight, in this instance).

 

Franco.

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BlueBookGuy

Back again to the LPU-9/P Life Preserver - here, details of the markings printed on its left-side half:

 

post-151851-0-18347000-1395169670.jpg

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BlueBookGuy

More often than not, it may be rather difficult to establish a somehow precise timeframe in wich a certain item did officially enter active service in an Armed Force.

Collectors do not have always an easy time in going through researches - this LPU-9/P Life Preserver still retains its small paper wich shows dates of summer 1988, thus at least in that period the type did exist.

The specimen is in the least used conditions.

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