AZPhil Posted May 5, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 5, 2014 Hello Gent's, As some might know, I am searching for a WW2 A14 oxygen mask to add to my collection. I have found a A14B. Could someone tell me the difference between a A14 and a A14B oxygen mask? Thanks Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted May 5, 2014 Share #2 Posted May 5, 2014 I'm sure you know this but the A14b is post war that's all I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted May 5, 2014 I didn't know that SgtMaj. USAAF uniforms and flight gear are not my field of expertise . I do have some reference books on the subject, But it is not something I have studied for years .I am putting together a collection of 8th AF uniforms and flight gear to Honor my Uncle Joe. I hope my questions are not to bothersome. I am trying to learn more about the subject. Thanks For the quick reply Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted May 5, 2014 Share #4 Posted May 5, 2014 I didn't know that SgtMaj. USAAF uniforms and flight gear are not my field of expertise . I do have some reference books on the subject, But it is not something I have studied for years .I am putting together a collection of 8th AF uniforms and flight gear to Honor my Uncle Joe. I hope my questions are not to bothersome. I am trying to learn more about the subject. Thanks For the quick reply Semper Fi Phil No problem keep posting questions this section doesn't get as much traffic as it should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted May 5, 2014 Share #5 Posted May 5, 2014 Here's the only topic on these I could find doesn't really say the differences. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/193885-help-with-oxygen-mask-and-hose/?hl=a14b&do=findComment&comment=1503950 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted May 6, 2014 Once again,Thanks SgtMaj. I do have one more question about the A14. I am seeing some being sold that have built in Mic's. When did these come into use? SF Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted May 6, 2014 Share #7 Posted May 6, 2014 Once again,Thanks SgtMaj. I do have one more question about the A14. I am seeing some being sold that have built in Mic's. When did these come into use? SF Phil Not sure but I would say closer to the end of the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted May 6, 2014 I greatly appreciate your help SgtMaj. Take care Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted May 6, 2014 Share #9 Posted May 6, 2014 Hello AZPhil, suppose you might want to make a realistic collection in WW2 context so, the A-14B would not be correct. Even an A-14A (seldom encountered in the collecting world, I believe) wouldn't be, it was officially standardized in the very last days of January 1945 and it's virtually impossible any specimens of A-14A did reach any 8th Air Force combat units, before VE-Day. Thus even less the A-14B, having been designed post-WW2 for those cockpits where there wasn't need of the "Pressure Breathing A-13 masK" - so a more modern A-14 variant (the A-14B) could still be OK. The standard, simply marked A-14 mask is the correct one. Please note that an earlier A-10A mask would be OK as well, if intended for a pre-1944 8th Air Force display. As for mics, photos of fighter pilots and their A-14s fitted with the correct microphone (usually, a MC-254 placed in its "pocket") do exist being dated as early as August or September 1943. Greetings - Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted May 6, 2014 Grazie Franco Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel.R Posted May 18, 2014 Share #11 Posted May 18, 2014 I realise this is a little late Phil , but only just seen this post . Franco is quite correct ,however the A-10A was issued and used along side the A-14 and issued as substitute standard . The oxygen manuals of the day state that the A-10A will still be used as functionally it is identical to the A-14 . The A-14B in simplest terms has a re-designed Mic pocket . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted May 18, 2014 Share #12 Posted May 18, 2014 Yes Nigel is right, in effect the A-10A was officially adopted in mid-October 1943 so we can suppose it could be seen possibly still in early 1944, as a substitute mask if not sufficient numbers were available of A-14s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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