Jump to content

USAAF flak vest


jonesy1275
 Share

Recommended Posts

Very interesting topic ! I really appreciate such documented topic - and by the way, I'm busy on a long-term project which consist of making a detailed article in which I list all the existing body armor / flak jackets (and their accessories) used by the US Military. I've finished the Amercain Civil war and nearly finished the WW1 and WW2. This topic is very instructive and help me a lot for my article ! ;) Thanks for the sharing.

 

Dustin, you posted some nice photos here ! Do you have more information about the last one ? It seems the aircrew is wearing an experimental apron. Do you know the date of this picture ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you recall in the conversation the picture in Sweetings book page 129 was referenced a few times. This is the same guy, same pose ,...everything except the apron has been changed. There was no information just photographs, I cherry picked a few since this topic was fresh on my mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Those are great photos Dustin, thanks!

 

I came across these photos of Liberator aircrew preparing to take off on the 9th AF's 8/1/43 "Black Sunday" raid on Ploesti from their base at Bengasi, Libya. Note they are using the Wilkinson-made vests with tapered sporran, as shown in the original post of this thread.

post-9787-0-15526700-1424235282.jpg

post-9787-0-53141800-1424235294.jpg

post-9787-0-58137000-1424235311.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

here are the series of photos in which Sweeting cherry picked for his book leading to all this confusion. Most all the pics are the same guy as on page 129.

post-56-0-05942200-1430418229.jpg

 

.

post-56-0-05074500-1430418247.jpg

post-56-0-56710300-1430418256.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Same guy illustrating the white armor as in a specific crew position.

Non-armored back.

post-56-0-75496500-1430418451.jpg

 

post-56-0-82635600-1430418469.jpg

 

Gunner

post-56-0-87218200-1430418488.jpg

 

Pilot

post-56-0-31468900-1430418507.jpg

 

.Just standing there wanting this all to stop.

post-56-0-73137200-1430418549.jpg

 

Armored back.

post-56-0-81776200-1430418567.jpg

 

Standing there thinking he has earned several pints.

post-56-0-30849100-1430418645.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The armor in question along with the grow helmet and complete compliment of flight gear with three types of parachutes, May 1943.

 

post-56-0-19618600-1430437212.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for the nice pictures Dustin ! Where do they come from ?

 

Would it be possible you send the pictures showing Flak vests and apron (not the helmets and nor vehicles) to me

by email at [email protected] ? I'ld appreciate to have these pictures in their original format (and not reduced by the uploading system for forums), please. Thank you for your comprehension !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 3 months later...
  • 2 months later...

Dear,

 

I got something very special this morning...I cannot say precisely what model it's, however it remains me the USAAF Flak Vest in some points...maybe an early variant or prototype ? as you can see, the external cover is in leather (inside is cloth). There're two "lift the dot" fasteners on shoulder.

 

The vest itself is filled with compartimented steel plates (they are enchased in cloth material). The manufacturer is "Spooner Armor company", and I can also read something like "Patended & Pattent ADFL - Made in USA" (not completely sure as it's not perfectly readible) and numbers on it ("28" on each side) and a small number (I guess "218").

 

It seems to be very basic and due to its conception with leather and so on, it's older than the cloth-covered flak vests. At this period, body armor were not very common and were mainly designed by military-related companies for military needs. As such, I doubt a civilian use (police, etc) of this flak vest.

 

What're your thoughs on this one ??

 

img_2210.jpg

 

img_2211.jpg

 

img_2212.jpg

 

img_2213.jpg

 

img_2214.jpg

 

img_2215.jpg

 

img_2216.jpg

 

img_2217.jpg

 

img_2218.jpg

 

img_2219.jpg

 

Maybe it's :

 

Patended &

Patend ADPL

Made in U.S.A.

 

Not sure though...

 

Any comment it welcome...an identification would be great ! ;) I thank you !

 

Pierre

 

While continuing online research, found this link with another one :

 

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/equipment-field-gear/old-school-body-armor-595389/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

This one is a late war demonstartion. He is wearing the Type B-5 life preserver and behind him hanging on the wall is what is reffred to as a flak curtain.

post-56-0-01977100-1489189929.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 years later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...