C-1A Partial Pressure Suit, US Navy

[BlueBookGuy]

hello all,

think it could be interesting to have a close look at one rather rare model of partial pressure suit  -   the C-1A, timeframe most likely 1956 - 57, in great condition, clean and complete, with no defects at all and perfectly working zippers. Made in much limited numbers through a cuple years since about late 1956 (prototypes in June or July),  it is in fact the Navy variant of USAF/NACA much more known T-1 that first went into production in summer 1950.

In 1957 the Navy also contracted for its own variation of USAF MC-3 and MC-4 partial pressure garments (and named them respectively C-4 and C-4A) so this one is in fact a rare specimen.

The suit had been purposely made for a precise aviator, namely F.S. Chamberlain.

 

Here some pictures.  David Clark Co. had this model in their nomenclature as S-520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zipper placket across abdomen was solely for practical purposes of more mobility in certain instances, as well as some minor mods in the shoulders area.  Being a veriation of T-1 it does have the anti-G protection as well  -  this being a Navy Z-3 G-pants with small modifications, fitted inside the suit.  The distinctive longer hose inside its darker green sleeve  is very different from the hose of a counterpart T-1 suit.

As long as I'm aware, this horizontal zipper should be unique of the C-1A.

 

 

 

 

[BlueBookGuy]

These large capstans are typical of early PP suits. If I'm not wrong, only with the MC-3 in 1956 they started getting slimmer  -   at least on the arms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collar is decidedly tall and covers the neck, making up for the short 'skirt' of helmets such the K-1 or MB-5.  In 1956 the MC-3 series of suit showed virtual lack of collar, to go together with the much longer skirt of MA-2 helmet.

 

 

 

 

entrance via two long zipper on shoulders

 

[BlueBookGuy]

here a comparison with the slightly more sophisticated MC-1 suit of early 1955

 

 

 

 

 

... and here (more for a colorful variation within the topic), the C-1A  vs. the Polish-made  WUK  90, first introduced in 1991.  As an interesting sidenote, the indigenous WUK 90 (derived from the WUK  67, in turn derived from the Russian  VKK-6 ) is still used today in the Polish Air Force.

Thanx foe watching.  Franco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pararaftanr2]

That's one exotic piece of kit, and custom tailored to boot! Do you have any vintage photos of the suit in use? Also, do you have any history on the man it was made to fit? A great looking piece!

[BlueBookGuy]

Thanx Paul,

indeed glad you like it.  Yes a noteworthy piece, sure uncommon and in this case it's in great shape.  At the moment I've found no infos about its original owner whose name is on the additional label, Had tracked down a possible aviator who could fit this name to a reasonable timeframe but subsequently turned out to be wrong.

 

As for vintage photos of this very model of suit, not yet at the moment. A color photo of what I thought to be the C-1A was actually a C-4A of 1958, being worn by a Navy pilot  -   very similar in some features especially on the torso, but different in others (plus, the presence of proper pressure gloves that the C-1A does lack).

Never say never, possibly in the future.

 

[AZPhil]

That is an excellent piece of aviation history.

 The condition looks fantastic.

That would make for some interesting research on that man.

Congrat's BBG on adding this to your collection.

 

Semper Fi

Phil 

[BlueBookGuy]

thanx very much Phil.

Here some last photos,  the deflation valve is at the tip of left arm's capstan. 

 

 

 

 

a couple shots at the internal anti-G pants   -  a true Z-3 Navy G-garments, just modified to be supported by C-1A's main body. Here the abdominal section

 

 

 

 

here the lower part for the calf

 

 

 

 

Here one more shot at the hoses. The shorter, more rigid one does connect directly the capstan system to the emergency oxygen bottle

 

[jerry_k]

Franco you should visit this Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/edstacyhelmets/

 

cheers,

Jerry