A14 vs A14B oxygen mask?

[AZPhil]

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

[SergeantMajorGray]

I'm sure you know this but the A14b is post war that's all I know.

[AZPhil]

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

[SergeantMajorGray]

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.

[SergeantMajorGray]

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

[AZPhil]

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

[SergeantMajorGray]

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.

[AZPhil]

I greatly appreciate your help SgtMaj.

Take care

Semper Fi

Phil

[BlueBookGuy]

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.

[AZPhil]

Grazie Franco

 

Semper Fi

Phil

[Nigel.R]

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 .

 

[BlueBookGuy]

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.