Marine PBJ flight crew equipment

[36thIDAlex]

Hey all, just got my high resolution scanner up and running and have been going through scanning all my photographs. After scanning these I saw a lot of really great details and figured it’d be a good reference to have up on the forum. The pictures come from a tail gunner grouping of a marine who flew a PBJ in VMB-423. The era is winter 1944 to summer 1945. I’m not super down on my navy gear but thought you all who are would appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jerry_k]

Hi Alex.

 

They are standard dressed up with: summer flying suit AN6550 or M426a. Mostly of these guys used a billed cap with headset - rather than flying helmet. I guess one photo above with flying helmet is only for photo session.  You can choose variety of billed cap like: blue dark wool example, B-1 (navy contracted) or kind of rigger made cap.

 

Standard .38 S&W in shoulder holster with ammo loops. Usmc pilots/crews used very often his 782 gear like: belt, canteen, compass case with compass for officer and MKII/Ka-bar knife.

Survival kits E-17 were also popular in these crews. Here are some more examples from VMB-613 and VMB-611. 

 

 

 

[jerry_k]

Pilot and second pilot (I guess) used a nylon suit. Of course standard chute harness type was a QAC type.

Ahhh I forgot about life vest. B-4/AN6519 will be the best with standard survival gear like: two dye marker, one-cell survival light and whistle.

[jerry_k]

Ahhh your post bring some memory about my small impression from years years back (march 2010):

 

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[P-59A]

Wow! These are the first period photo's I have of the E-17 in use. 

[jerry_k]

36thIDAlex - even thanks? Wow....

[36thIDAlex]

36thIDAlex - even thanks? Wow....

I appreciate the contributions Jerry, as said I don’t really do navy or marine stuff and hadn’t checked on this thread in awhile. Really neat photos you managed to find, hopefully some of the marine/aviation guys find all of them useful for any projects in the future! Very cool impression too.

[P-59A]

Dustin added this to my post, but it also belongs here.  https://wwiisurvivalequipment.com/personal-aids-kits

[jerry_k]

2 hours ago, 36thIDAlex said:

I appreciate the contributions Jerry, as said I don’t really do navy or marine stuff and hadn’t checked on this thread in awhile. Really neat photos you managed to find, hopefully some of the marine/aviation guys find all of them useful for any projects in the future! Very cool impression too.

Welcome !