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US Navy Pilot - Naval Aviator Displays


Darkvalley
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Although not commented on, I can appreciate both of your efforts. The flight gear members are few but if I could speak for them I think they would agree.

Bob

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pararaftanr2

Jerry and Dustin,

Great job by both of you. Too bad this area of collecting is often under-appreciated, but for those of us who have a passion for it, we never get tired of seeing such presentations.

 

Dustin, for those who have not yet purchased your first two books, you may have to explain what a "23P6" is, as it will be an unknown term to them.

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Salvage Sailor

Trust us Fellas,

 

Many of us on the site may not comment but we do enjoy all of this USN Pilot porn.  It's also the second most viewed topic in this Section, right behind Navy Flight Jackets.

 

BZ

 

As you were and Carry On

 

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airborneaviator
56 minutes ago, Salvage Sailor said:

Trust us Fellas,

 

Many of us on the site may not comment but we do enjoy all of this USN Pilot porn.  It's also the second most viewed topic in this Section, right behind Navy Flight Jackets.

 

BZ

 

As you Were and Carry On

 

+ 1 for this. I’ve lurked on this thread for years enjoying all the cool stuff you guys come up with. 

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It's not really about comments, I see many things I enjoy looking at the forum without posting. Just knowing that there are those lingering around that do like this genre is well enough for me. With that said, thanks for the comments that have arrived!! 

 

As Pararaft was kind of enough to point out is a nomenclature clarification. In short, the 23P6 is the correct nomenclature for what was formally referenced as the MK-I (wraparound) life preserver.

 

What we have here is an ancient mythological collector designation. I presume it arrived at least in 1970's, perhaps before, and continues into today. The life vest in question was no mystery, one cannot look at an image of Naval or Marine aviators from the 1942-43 time period without seeing it worn. What makes it mysterious was the lack of a formal nomenclature on the vest itself, only having a contractor, a contract number and patent numbers. Most everyone was aware of the typical formal designated Mark-2 life preserver, even printed on the vest itself, making for what I like to call a "guilt by association" effect. In collectors minds, if there is a Mark-2 then there has to be a Mark-I, the easiest candidate was that of the vest in question. Hence the designation as Mark-I we hear today and at some time along to the misnomer road "wraparound" was added to the description, Mark-I Wraparound.

 

The initial question you may have is "well, if there is a Mark-2 there has to be a Mark-I, right?

The US Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics had a nasty little habit of retroactively re-designating items. Case in Point, the first formally adopted signaling mirror was the M-580, once revised it was the M-580A, and in 1947 when they adopted a new type they designated it as the Mark-3, referenced by approved specification and applied to the mirror itself. They then retro applied the designation of Mark-I to the M-580 and Mark-II to the M-580A, but they were not designated as such when they were approved. Only in post WWII literature are they called the Mark-I or -II. Same difference can be applied to the Shipwreck kits M-594, M-594A and M-594B, only the B type had a formal Mark designation applied and the previous retroactively were applied with Mark designations. the Mark-I and -II transition did occur during the war but only after the adoption of the M-594B.

 

The Mark-2 life preserver was developed in 1944 and adopted in late 1945. Mark number designations do typically represent a lineage. What is interesting here is that everyone had over looked the obvious predecessor, that being the AN-V-18 life preserver aka Type B-4. It was formally adopted as a joint Army-Navy standard AN-V-18/AN6519-1, it was the standard upon development and adoption of the Mark-2. The AN6519-1 experienced the same fate as the signaling mirrors in that it too was retroactively designated as the Mark-I, in post war literature only. Prior to its formal adoption, the AN6519-1 was to be the the predominate life preserver issued to Naval and Marine activities. When referencing post war literature from the late 1940's you'll find they most always call it the Mark-I. Technically speaking, the vest in question (23P6) was considered obsolete by the time of the Mark-2. The vest in question (23P6) was first designated as the M-72, later reformatted under a general Navy Department specification 23P6. This specification nor any literature describing this vest ever never mentions "Mark-I" since its inception and through the duration of the war. Funny thing, a Mark-I life preserver never actually existed being completely fabricated and now engrained in collector jargon. The Mark-2 was applied signifying the next in the genealogy from the AN-V-18 (B-4). I too am guilty of using the nomenclature of Mark-I Wraparound for a very very long time, but now I am educated on the facts. Old habits dye hard, but in reality, they never actually do!

 

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15 hours ago, jerry_k said:

Thanks guys for support and these kinds of words. 

 

 

Always, always smile at your collection Jerry! I love the attention to detail with period photo reference for example. Keep it up, as I know finding kit for this area is very tough...

Cheers Graham

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Dustin here is my little contribution to your display with my new item. We got the same idea at the same time about the mask..

 

image.png.42220b40d8eb25f5f989862b42b0eb14.png

image.png.b1e351b0707ac5a6a39ea234bc8365d0.png

Navy contracted A-14 mask, with "the over head" rigger made strap.

 

Take care,

Jerry

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  • 2 weeks later...

Dustin, Jerry,

 

Although I do not comment very often, this thread is one of my most visited.  I too have an interest in and collect US Naval Aviation items, although my collection pales in comparison to either of yours.  It is greatly appreciated that the both of you are so willing to share both your knowledge and collections.  Thank you.

 

Paul (aka Scarecrow)

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  • 1 month later...
3 hours ago, Alamo said:

That knife  in the photo with the watch & ring looks just like a  Marbles knife i have that was my fathers.....What kind is it?

Hi Alamo.

 

It is early pal-36 knife.

 

Would be great to see your Marbles example.

 

Thanks,

Jerry

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On 8/1/2021 at 6:52 PM, dustin said:

It's not really about comments, I see many things I enjoy looking at the forum without posting. Just knowing that there are those lingering around that do like this genre is well enough for me. With that said, thanks for the comments that have arrived!! 

 

As Pararaft was kind of enough to point out is a nomenclature clarification. In short, the 23P6 is the correct nomenclature for what was formally referenced as the MK-I (wraparound) life preserver.

 

What we have here is an ancient mythological collector designation. I presume it arrived at least in 1970's, perhaps before, and continues into today. The life vest in question was no mystery, one cannot look at an image of Naval or Marine aviators from the 1942-43 time period without seeing it worn. What makes it mysterious was the lack of a formal nomenclature on the vest itself, only having a contractor, a contract number and patent numbers. Most everyone was aware of the typical formal designated Mark-2 life preserver, even printed on the vest itself, making for what I like to call a "guilt by association" effect. In collectors minds, if there is a Mark-2 then there has to be a Mark-I, the easiest candidate was that of the vest in question. Hence the designation as Mark-I we hear today and at some time along to the misnomer road "wraparound" was added to the description, Mark-I Wraparound.

 

The initial question you may have is "well, if there is a Mark-2 there has to be a Mark-I, right?

The US Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics had a nasty little habit of retroactively re-designating items. Case in Point, the first formally adopted signaling mirror was the M-580, once revised it was the M-580A, and in 1947 when they adopted a new type they designated it as the Mark-3, referenced by approved specification and applied to the mirror itself. They then retro applied the designation of Mark-I to the M-580 and Mark-II to the M-580A, but they were not designated as such when they were approved. Only in post WWII literature are they called the Mark-I or -II. Same difference can be applied to the Shipwreck kits M-594, M-594A and M-594B, only the B type had a formal Mark designation applied and the previous retroactively were applied with Mark designations. the Mark-I and -II transition did occur during the war but only after the adoption of the M-594B.

 

The Mark-2 life preserver was developed in 1944 and adopted in late 1945. Mark number designations do typically represent a lineage. What is interesting here is that everyone had over looked the obvious predecessor, that being the AN-V-18 life preserver aka Type B-4. It was formally adopted as a joint Army-Navy standard AN-V-18/AN6519-1, it was the standard upon development and adoption of the Mark-2. The AN6519-1 experienced the same fate as the signaling mirrors in that it too was retroactively designated as the Mark-I, in post war literature only. Prior to its formal adoption, the AN6519-1 was to be the the predominate life preserver issued to Naval and Marine activities. When referencing post war literature from the late 1940's you'll find they most always call it the Mark-I. Technically speaking, the vest in question (23P6) was considered obsolete by the time of the Mark-2. The vest in question (23P6) was first designated as the M-72, later reformatted under a general Navy Department specification 23P6. This specification nor any literature describing this vest ever never mentions "Mark-I" since its inception and through the duration of the war. Funny thing, a Mark-I life preserver never actually existed being completely fabricated and now engrained in collector jargon. The Mark-2 was applied signifying the next in the genealogy from the AN-V-18 (B-4). I too am guilty of using the nomenclature of Mark-I Wraparound for a very very long time, but now I am educated on the facts. Old habits dye hard, but in reality, they never actually do!

 

i learnt something today. Thanks Dustin.

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  • 3 months later...

Hi Guys.

 

Here small update of my ARM Avenger aircrew impression:

 

I added the most heavy items:

Navy type QAC parachute harness name to ARM3c -  Thomas J. Gardiner from VPB-197

image.png.4b6eae9749e817585672a5f9696be100.png

image.png.2738c63ee999cd2cdaee176e16f57ce4.png

image.png.a5e5033059626a64ae55933613646ea4.png

Interesting back pad without a snaps on the tabs, just rigger tacks:

image.png.3cd7642a5573a2d10c43b0595d80f83a.png

Made my Pioneer Parachute may 1945

image.png.e39069ed2b202a933d7479d51a0d9b6d.png

 

Navy type QAC parachute pack full with canopy marked Utility Squadron - 7 (VJ-7). Big thanks for Pararaftanr (Paul) with help cleaning the chute from dust and mildew and Rigger Depot - Josh for repacking it.

image.png.24952cfb36147365db12181230ba7002.png

 

In the back ground is a small Aerial Ordnance Man (AOM2c) grouping: William H. Schaffer from VC-78 USS Saginaw Bay (1944) and the USS Hoggett Bay (1945) 

image.png.9af7bee2f05f29c33426fed389e04cdc.png

 

General look:

image.png.f424bc29505dc69f3abe8c24463983d7.png

 

Closer photo of Navy type "push to talk switch" used with A-14 oxygen mask and binoculars hanged one the arm:

image.png.9f2fd693c83991fbc0a4d8f4b81981cc.png

 

Happy new year and good hunting - Jerry

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

hello,

nothing really super-glamorous as for new items in these photos of the newest pilot from a couple years ago, the guy is complete though. Simply, I've (at last) swapped its sunglasses with another pair, the former were vintage of mid-to-late 1940s and looked to me a bit too dark  -   anyway, sure civilian provenance. Put today on it a pair of true AN-6531 still in very good shape, and display is even better as the eyes stay visible through the lighter-tinted lenses.

In my idea it has gained somehow, the darker pair is now on a early 1950s USAF jet pilot.

 

before

1769660855_05(3).jpg.4e2249944c82dc07433764e67e129802.jpg

 

 

presently

 

05.jpg.195bdd4ebfcdefd230260fd76aa8fbb7.jpg

 

1396576555_07(2).jpg.aee2e6e8dff72003104121c69ea776a6.jpg

 

 

528429037_06(3).jpg.5651c63689c6833d2aae696f3c82c873.jpg

 

 

06.jpg.935ba82fe966b33bf692dc714515e8e4.jpg

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here some nice improvement of any Naval Aviation collection - Q.A.S. type chute. Found the chute some weeks ago. Complete with canopy and additional accessories: raft kit container (clear without PK-1 markings - probably a rigger made), also clear of markings seat pad with risers webbing flap and cover (all also rigger made).

 

After some fight with re-packing it, here is final results - small dream came true! 

QAS pack 05bbbbbbb.jpg

QAS pack 05bbbbbbbb.jpg

QAS pack 05bbbbbbbbb.jpg

QAS pack 05bbbbbbbbbb.jpg

QAS pack 05bbbbbbbbbbb.jpg

QAS pack 05bbbbbbbbbbbb.jpg

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The interesting things is that pack came with QAS chute harness and traveling bag named to James W.E. from VPB-118 and second name - RUSSELL.

 

It is new for me to use a QAS type chute in VPB units - QAC are more accurate. 

 

Enjoy,

Jerry

 

Q.A.S. 034bc.jpg

Q.A.S. 034bcc.jpg

Q.A.S. 034bccc.jpg

QAS pack 05bbb.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

I was able to made small addition to my ARM guy: dog tags named to US NAVY Aerial Radioman - Kenneth W. Jackson.

image.png.2056a1cfee72737e6d655e78a9eea758.png 

 

Dog tags come with some of his late war materials included also a leather name tag which filled my leather tags collection:

image.png.1d52ea5c50fbdc71230402a2ebb8c138.png

image.png.bcf693491f68d17a044f94ac7837634c.png

 

Take care,

Jerry

 

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  • 9 months later...

At the beginning of the 2022 I decided to made another two US NAVY impression. Early war "circa" Midway or early 1943 pilot and gunner. After almost one year here are results.

 

 

Merry Christmas! 

Midway01.jpg

Midway01a.jpg

Cigarettes pack 06.jpg

Gunner01.jpg

Gunner01a.jpg

Gunner01aaaa.jpg

Gunner01b.jpg

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  • 4 months later...

Hi all, first post here. I thought for my first post I'd share my USMC/USN Naval Aviator kit for flying Corsairs or Skyraiders in 1952/1953. Everything's original, just missing some flares and "Life Vest Dye Marker" for the Mk2. Just a little bonus, the holster is one of the rare USN marked M1911 M3 shoulder holsters. Thanks!

IMG_2774.jpg

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USMC_COLLECTOR

Looks great! What flight suit do you have?

1 hour ago, bloke21 said:

Hi all, first post here. I thought for my first post I'd share my USMC/USN Naval Aviator kit for flying Corsairs or Skyraiders in 1952/1953. Everything's original, just missing some flares and "Life Vest Dye Marker" for the Mk2. Just a little bonus, the holster is one of the rare USN marked M1911 M3 shoulder holsters. Thanks!

IMG_2774.jpg

 

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Thanks! I’m using a 50s Suit, Flying, Summer that belonged to a WW2 Marine Flight Instructor who joined the reserves and flew in Spokane, Washington in the 1950s. He retired as a Major sometime in the early 1960.

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