agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 10, 2014 Hello everyone, recently picked this up and I'm pretty happy with it. It seems to be complete as far as I can tell. It is a vest with two pockets, one for each survival kit, a "SEEK KIT, GENERAL" and a "SEEK KIT, MEDICAL." Comes complete with the "SHEATH KNIFE" as well, a 5-1967 dated USAF pilots survival knife. Each survival kit comes with a green ziplock bag that seems to have belt loops on them, probably to carry the kits or components. Each kit is sealed in a clear bag, and inside that is the folded kit, with contents printed on outer part, per their location in the kit. I have not tampered with anything, the general kit was opened when I got the set, and the medical kit is still sealed. The set even came with the pen flare with flares, all in the original packaging and ziplock bag. The tape is even still containing the lanyard to the flare. All contents are 1967 dated. I did not ask about the origin of the set when I got it, but when the seller left, he told me it was recovered from a deceased USMC OV-10 pilot after he had crashed into Lake Mead in 1968. I didn't get a name, that was the only information I got. I believe the seller was there, he was a Marine too. There is a name on the knife sheath, LT ISSAC VA-771. I did not find anything on a quick research, maybe someone else can find something. Overall, this is an outstanding survival kit, and rarely seen. Thanks and looking forward to any comments. Left side of vest, with the knife and medical kit. Right side of vest, containing general survival kit and flares. Rear of vest, with tie-straps. Date and maker of knife: Camillus, NY, 5-1967 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted June 10, 2014 Top of knife is painted white. Have another example like this as well, if anyone knows why it's painted let me know. Rear of sheath with inscription: LT ISSAC VA-771 Both pockets have three interior pockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted June 10, 2014 Medical kit, still sealed in clear packaging. Also has green rubber ziplock bag with belt loops. Some of the contents of the medical kit. Center pocket of right side pocket with data stamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted June 10, 2014 General survival kit clear packaging and green rubber ziplock bag with belt loops. General survival kit package. Contents of general survival kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted June 10, 2014 Open general survival it. All the contents are still sealed, and attached to the pouch with sticky material. Close ups of general survival kit contents (candle, bullion cubes) sewing kit, fishing kit, 'water receptacle' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted June 10, 2014 Water purification, compass, candy, and mosquito net and mittens. Sunglasses, arrowhead, and fire starter and tinder signal mirror, wire saw, and combo knife hacksaw blade sponge and bar of soap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted June 10, 2014 Mini flashlight. If anyone knows how it works let me know, it's pretty small. Aluminum foil and light filters and matches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 10, 2014 Complete 1967 dated pen flare set with original ziplock bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted June 10, 2014 Last one. Enjoy and ask any questions, thanks for looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted June 10, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 10, 2014 GREAT piece!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted June 10, 2014 Share #11 Posted June 10, 2014 This is a great survival kit. The green packaging looks very similar to the packaging that the first aid dressings come in.. Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted June 14, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 14, 2014 Great piece!! my compliments. A similar set of emergency flares (some minor differencies) I do have inside an USAF Survival Vest, type SRU-21/P. The complete nylon envelope is still sealed and through it I can read the 1981 date on the accompanying paper sheet. Also inside a Navy SV-2A Vest (this dated 1971) there are some original contents, but not nice and complete as are yours. Greetings from Italy. Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bebel Posted June 16, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 16, 2014 VA-771 is more a reserve navy squadron than a USMC or USAF unit. SV-1 survival vest were used by both USMC and USN crews in the 60s. SV-1 has been replaced by SV-2 vest. The SEEK-2 kit is from the second half of the decade and would be more found in later SV-2 vests. I guess that the light green painted jet pilot knife handle was for for USN. But not sure. Franck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted June 18, 2014 VA-771 is more a reserve navy squadron than a USMC or USAF unit. Is there anyway to research VA-771? And what does VA mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted June 18, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 18, 2014 "VA " is for Attack Squadron in Naval Aviation nomenclature - light bombers or true ground attack planes like A-6, A-7 etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROC Posted June 19, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 19, 2014 Hi, during summer 1967, VA 771 was a Naval air Reserve Training Command Squadron stationed in Los Alamitos CA flying A4A and A4B. Best, croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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