jerry_k Posted September 7, 2020 Share #476 Posted September 7, 2020 Thanks for the new pics Franco, good job! Your two USN/USMC pilot looks not bad. Glad I can help you in it. cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted September 7, 2020 Share #477 Posted September 7, 2020 Thanx Jerry for appreciating, yes you and Paul were of so much help ! There are not just partial pressure suits and high-altitude gear in this world ... 🙃🙃 ..gulp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted October 25, 2020 Share #478 Posted October 25, 2020 hello again, got some days ago my very last item to replace the AN-6542 cloth helmet of the very latewar USN guy - a complete and good-looking Nylon Helmet to go together with its Nylon Flight Suit. Not bad at all the former one, however my wish in fact was for a nylon specimen - evidently there wasn't too much haste in looking for it. At last this job has been finished once and for all by different steps along the time. ANB-H-1A headphones marked C.Q.F. and uncommon 'Y' comm. cord w/ NAF black plug. Here some pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted October 25, 2020 Share #479 Posted October 25, 2020 Outstanding. I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted October 25, 2020 Share #480 Posted October 25, 2020 Great addition Franco. Y cords was a good choice! Thanks for pics. Regards, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted October 25, 2020 Share #481 Posted October 25, 2020 I'd say they are ready for some action! It's a lot of time to assemble all the little tid bits. They look awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted October 25, 2020 Share #482 Posted October 25, 2020 Paul and Jerry, Thanx very much... I've learned so many things from you along the time.| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted October 25, 2020 Share #483 Posted October 25, 2020 ... and Dustin of course, just seen right now. Thanx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bebel Posted December 17, 2020 Share #484 Posted December 17, 2020 High quality pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted December 18, 2020 Share #485 Posted December 18, 2020 thanx Franck, glad you like them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazelot Posted January 28, 2021 Share #486 Posted January 28, 2021 Great displays Franco, I have to make more, I only have one full mannequin right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Posted February 2, 2021 Share #487 Posted February 2, 2021 I just have one word........Outstanding!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickson Posted February 5, 2021 Share #488 Posted February 5, 2021 Hi All, Most notably, this is a great thread and reference source. Currently looking to recreate that pistol/holster set up for the Victory pistol and survival knife seen worn by their original owner That same pistol and civilian type survival knife seen in that period pic was acquired by me from the family from that same VB-135 aviator. That particular pic seen attached was cropped from an official USN photograph. Taken on Attu and dated June 4, 1944. According to the family the knife was a gift from his (PV-1 Ventura) flight crew. In the end preferring over his USN issue. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted February 5, 2021 Share #489 Posted February 5, 2021 "Currently looking to recreate that pistol/holster set up for the Victory pistol and survival knife seen worn by their original owner". That's a great looking knife, congratulations. Closer examination of the photo shows he is not wearing a Victory revolver though, rather a .45 auto in an M1916 holster with web pistol belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickson Posted February 5, 2021 Share #490 Posted February 5, 2021 Hi Paul, Yes, I see that know. I suppose that it is enough that I lucked up on the same knife and a pistol picked up sometime during this same fellows USN aviation career. Most notably the same type Victory pistol used while my late father flew with on his two Vietnam combat tours. Done while aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) from 1966 through 1968. Flying with VA-164 Ghostriders as Air Ops the the CAG CVW-16.. However, I do have the Switlik Parachute and Equipment M-422 jacket issued to that same fellow. As seen here. Found within that bulging left pocket was 4 morphine syringes, matches and a pencil. According to the family they removed his winged USN ID patch and included it in his casket. Now buried along with him. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted February 5, 2021 Share #491 Posted February 5, 2021 Killer jacket David. Show us his custom made knife - also killer piece! Probably he switched his sidearm from .45 to .38 later in the war. Or maybe he had a second sidearm under his jacket which was popular from time to time... Take care, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickson Posted February 5, 2021 Share #492 Posted February 5, 2021 39 minutes ago, jerry_k said: Killer jacket David. Show us his custom made knife - also killer piece! Probably he switched his sidearm from .45 to .38 later in the war. Or maybe he had a second sidearm under his jacket which was popular from time to time... Take care, Jerry Hi Jerry, See below . That knife was made in Mexico of all places. These VB-135 members did quite a bit of combat. Done through flying long distant from Attu to the Kuril Islands. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted February 5, 2021 Share #493 Posted February 5, 2021 Thanks for more pics, great looking knife! Cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickson Posted February 6, 2021 Share #494 Posted February 6, 2021 20 hours ago, jerry_k said: Killer jacket David. Show us his custom made knife - also killer piece! Probably he switched his sidearm from .45 to .38 later in the war. Or maybe he had a second sidearm under his jacket which was popular from time to time... Take care, Jerry Jerry, Unfortunately, we will never know for certain about the two pistols. What I do know is that the pic of him with the pistol comes from the first of his two combat deployments to Attu with VB-135. As that pic was taken in June of 1944 and the squadron was rotated out of Attu in late 1944 stateside. Then back again to Attu on August 22, 1945 through the end of the War. There is plenty of info on VB-135 that can be found on the internet. Some great websites regarding VB-135s contribution to the war effort and the USN Aleutian Campaign as a whole can be seen here https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2017/february/flying-empire-express and here https://www.norpacwar.com/ Cheers, Dave . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted February 6, 2021 Share #495 Posted February 6, 2021 Yes this VB-135 site (https://www.norpacwar.com/) is great! A lot of super nice pics with winter flying clothing. I guess this .38 is from his second tour. Regards, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazelot Posted February 27, 2021 Share #496 Posted February 27, 2021 On 2/5/2021 at 7:10 AM, Maverickson said: Hi Paul, Yes, I see that know. I suppose that it is enough that I lucked up on the same knife and a pistol picked up sometime during this same fellows USN aviation career. Most notably the same type Victory pistol used while my late father flew with on his two Vietnam combat tours. Done while aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) from 1966 through 1968. Flying with VA-164 Ghostriders as Air Ops the the CAG CVW-16.. However, I do have the Switlik Parachute and Equipment M-422 jacket issued to that same fellow. As seen here. Found within that bulging left pocket was 4 morphine syringes, matches and a pencil. According to the family they removed his winged USN ID patch and included it in his casket. Now buried along with him. Cheers, Dave Fantastic jacket Dave from a very rare contract / manufacturer. Having a picture of the pilot wearing it makes it all the sweeter... Having a picture of the knife worn is also priceless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted June 18, 2021 Share #497 Posted June 18, 2021 Never say never.... During the Christmas time I found great pair of Navy contracted white socks for only a 13 USD Dream items for any Navy collector as we know that is characteristic item look with Navy denim dungaree pants and black low service shoes. I couldn't pass and the story began. From one pair of socks to full mannequin! WW2 US Navy TBM Radioman circa first part of 1945: N-3 pants and Navy white long sleeves shirt under the AN6550 suit with Navy contracted Rubber Hood gym shoes popular used by pilots and crew members. HBT cap with small Combat Aircrew badge and Navy headset with Y cord. For his comfort during the flights closer to north lands he is wearing a Navy AN6552 intermediate jacket. Standard flying survival gear like B-4 life vest (named to Navy ARM J.B Foley), two dye markers, compass-matches case, whistle and survival light. Leather intermediate gloves are stored in his jacket chest pocket. Smith&Wesson revolver (of course dummy :( ) is carried in shoulder holster modified as a hip holster with 12 bullets in loops made from leather strap. Crash bracelet is also visible on the left hand. Pal-36 knife as his personal knife. On his life vest waist strap is a Very's Shells launcher as his survival signal device. Six very's are stored in flight suit leg pocket. Some personal items likes: Kool cigarettes with case, matches and Orbit chewing gums are stored in the jacket chest pocket. Navy series R88-W-800 watch with Navy sterling ring on the right hand. Some accessories in his flying suit leg pockets: (mentioned earlier six very's shell's in cloth bag from M592 kit - still have to find a proper and correct bag), vintage note pad, US NAVY property mechanical pencil and ear wardens in case. Some more three items are with him: Rigger made transport bag Bu. Aero MK21 7X50 binoculars made by SARD comp. named to VC-84 member Navy contracted K-20 aerial photography camera Both two items can be spotted on some vintage photos of TBM crews: We can see leather binos case under a TBM crew members arms: In the past when I sold most of my collection under some of life circumstances and decisions I would never expect to make another one mannequin. But never say never! Hope you enjoy this small story... Take care, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted June 18, 2021 Share #498 Posted June 18, 2021 I also made some my improvements of my old USMC mannequin. I was able to find a 1067 goggle kit: Nice USMC series of R88-W-800 watch matched with USMC cordovan strap and popular Dunhill lighter: Another small invisible at all item - Navy air target maps of YAP islands Many thanks for help and big inspirations from my long life friends here: Paul and Dustin!!! enjoy, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 1, 2021 Share #499 Posted August 1, 2021 Resurrecting this thread with an update of an impression just got done putting together. Navy pilot c. late 1943-early 1944. Some of the better notables is the rigger applied leg pocket on flight suit (right leg) and modified 23P6 life preserver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted August 1, 2021 Share #500 Posted August 1, 2021 Great new impression Dustin! Im afraid that only a few people here appreciate this thread and stuff posted here. Even 0 respons for my new impression? Anyway thanks a lot for you cool contribution as always! Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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