bloke21 Posted June 10, 2023 #1 Posted June 10, 2023 Hi all, I have been eager to share this for a while, but I figured I’d wait till all the pieces came in for it. Now today, finally, I am very proud to show my Mk2 life vest set up for a pilot flying in Korea. These vests were set up to the pilots preferences, sometimes they didn’t carry a knife on the vest, sometimes they did. Sometimes they left the equipment pockets empty or stuffed them with Mk13 flares (like I did mine). Either way, you see a lot of variation on how these vests are set up. But something you will always see is shark chaser and dye marker, so lets start off with that. Facing the vest, on the right side, is a pack of original era shark chaser. On the right side of the vest, there is a USN Mk1 Pal 35 knife and scabbard, that sits on the vests blow tube, which is where they were commonly put by the pilots. Also on the right side of the vest is a WW2 era BuAer wrist compass, and 1944 dated USN whistle. Whistles were one of the most common pieces of gear pilots put on their vests. Moving to the left side of the vest, we have a pack of post WW2 dye marker, this pattern was very commonly worn during the Korean War era. In front of the dye marker on the left side of the vest sits a beautifully made replica survival mirror pouch made by @WWII Parachutist, which holds an M-580A mirror still sealed with its original tape. Above both the dye marker and mirror sits a post WW2 US Navy survival signal light, this was the most common model used in Korea. In the “Equipment Pouches” sit Mk13 Day/Night signals. Like I mentioned previously, these vests were set up to the pilots liking, the set up I have here is definitely one of the heavier set ups. Enjoy! Aidan
bloke21 Posted June 10, 2023 Author #3 Posted June 10, 2023 2 minutes ago, Nack said: Very nice display! Thank you!
bloke21 Posted June 10, 2023 Author #6 Posted June 10, 2023 1 hour ago, bloke21 said: Hi all, I have been eager to share this for a while, but I figured I’d wait till all the pieces came in for it. Now today, finally, I am very proud to show my Mk2 life vest set up for a pilot flying in Korea. These vests were set up to the pilots preferences, sometimes they didn’t carry a knife on the vest, sometimes they did. Sometimes they left the equipment pockets empty or stuffed them with Mk13 flares (like I did mine). Either way, you see a lot of variation on how these vests are set up. But something you will always see is shark chaser and dye marker, so lets start off with that. Facing the vest, on the right side, is a pack of original era shark chaser. On the right side of the vest, there is a USN Mk1 Pal 35 knife and scabbard, that sits on the vests blow tube, which is where they were commonly put by the pilots. Also on the right side of the vest is a WW2 era BuAer wrist compass, and 1944 dated USN whistle. Whistles were one of the most common pieces of gear pilots put on their vests. Moving to the left side of the vest, we have a pack of post WW2 dye marker, this pattern was very commonly worn during the Korean War era. In front of the dye marker on the left side of the vest sits a beautifully made replica survival mirror pouch made by @WWII Parachutist, which holds an M-580A mirror still sealed with its original tape. Above both the dye marker and mirror sits a post WW2 US Navy survival signal light, this was the most common model used in Korea. In the “Equipment Pouches” sit Mk13 Day/Night signals. Like I mentioned previously, these vests were set up to the pilots liking, the set up I have here is definitely one of the heavier set ups. Enjoy! Aidan ** survival light is the WW2 model
mit31 Posted September 22, 2024 #7 Posted September 22, 2024 Looks good! Lots of variation and customization at that time. Below are two nice clear shots of my grandfather (at right) and his RIO in Korea K-1 in late Spring 1951. They flew F-7f3-n tigercats with VMF(n)-513.
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