Strana 43
1 - Flying Helmet, Type A-11
The Type A-11 intermediate ying helmet was standard-
ized on August 6, 1943, and quickly became one of the
most widely used ying helmets of the Second World War,
valued for its practical design, comfort, and compatibility
with modern communication equipment.
2 - Flying Gloves, Winter, Type A-10
The A-10 was standardized on July 20, 1938, as an in-
termediate-weight ying glove and remained in service
throughout the entire Second World War. Combining
warmth with a relatively lightweight construction, it pro-
vided aircrew with the protection necessary for high-al-
titude operations while still preserving the dexterity re-
quired for operating cockpit controls.
3 - Oxygen Mask, A-14
This pattern of oxygen mask entered service with the
USAAF in 1943 and quickly became standard equipment
for both ghter pilots and bomber crews during the latter
half of the Second World War. Designed for high-altitude
operations, the A-14 combined improved oxygen delivery
with compatibility for modern communication systems
used in increasingly demanding combat conditions.
4 - Flying Goggles, Type AN-6530
The AN-6530 goggles were produced during the Second
World War as protective eyewear for United States Army
and Navy ight crews. Introduced in 1943 as a modied
development of the earlier USAAF B-7 design, they saw
widespread use among pilots, gunners, and observers who
required reliable protection against glare, wind, and air-
borne debris during combat operations.
The expense of their production, together with issues
involving shattered lenses and resulting eye injuries,
eventually led to the development of the rubber-framed,
plastic-lensed B-8 goggle. Standardized in 1944, the B-8
gradually rendered the AN-6530 obsolete.
5 - Jacket, A-2
The Type A-2 leather ight jacket became one of the
most recognizable garments associated with U.S. Army Air
Forces aircrews during the Second World War. Ocially
adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1931 as the “Jacket,
Flying, Type A-2,” it replaced the earlier A-1 pattern and
remained in widespread use throughout the war despite
being ocially superseded in 1943. Constructed from
brown horsehide leather with knitted cus and waistband,
the jacket introduced a zippered front closure in place
of buttons and featured either buttoned pockets or con-
cealed snap fasteners. Although produced by numerous
contractors, all jackets were based on two ocially ap-
proved shades: seal, a dark brown tone, and russet, rang-
ing from pale to medium brown.
Once an Army Air Forces ocer completed basic ight
training, he was issued his A-2 jacket before advancing to
operational training. Prior to the outbreak of the war, the
garment was reserved exclusively for commissioned o-
cers, although enlisted aircrew personnel were later au-
thorized to wear it as well. Both ocers and enlisted men
frequently personalized their jackets with hand-painted
artwork inspired by aircraft nose art, mission markings,
or unit insignia. In the China–Burma–India Theater, some
pilots also carried a so-called “blood chit” sewn into the
lining or on the back of the jacket — a printed message
promising a reward to local civilians who assisted in the
rescue of a downed airman.
6 - AN-6510, Seat Pack
The USAAF AN 6510-1 seat pack parachute was used by
American pilots throughout the European theatre of oper-
ations until the end of the Second World War. Also known
as the S-1, this parachute type was standardized on May
11, 1928, and utilized a 24-foot canopy. Many pilots pre-
ferred seat-type parachutes because they provided great-
er freedom of movement inside the cockpit, particularly
when turning their heads during combat or formation y-
ing.
7 - B-4, Life Vest
The USAAF Pneumatic Life Vest, designated B-4, was
constructed from yellow rubberized canvas and saw wide-
spread use not only within the USAAF, but also among
American airborne troops throughout the Second World
War. Ination was provided by liquid CO2 cartridges ac-
tivated by pulling two cords located at the lower section
of the vest. Once released, the liquid rapidly expanded
into gas, inating the air chambers within seconds. As an
emergency back-up, the vest also incorporated rubber in-
ation tubes near the neck opening, allowing it to be in-
ated manually by mouth. When fully inated, the bulky
appearance of the vest led Allied airmen to nickname it
the “Mae West,” after the famous Hollywood actress.
8 - Belt, Pistol or Revolver, M-1936
The M-1936 pistol belt served as standard eld equip-
ment for personnel armed with pistols, revolvers, car-
bines, and submachine guns, and was also widely used by
drivers, medics, chaplains, and other support troops. The
belt featured three rows of reinforced eyelets: the upper
row was intended for attaching M-1936 suspenders, the
middle row allowed size adjustment, and the lower row
was used for securing eld equipment such as canteens,
rst-aid pouches, or bayonets. A snap fastener located on
the left side of the belt allowed the attachment of ammu-
nition pouches for the M1 Carbine or the M1911A1 pistol.
9 - Holster, Pistol, Cal.45, M-1916
Brown leather holster for the M1911A1 pistol.
10 - Pocket, Magazine, M-1918
Belt-mounted pouch designed to carry two seven-round
magazines for the M1911A1 pistol. A metal fastener on the
reverse side allowed attachment to the M-1936 pistol belt.
11 - M1911A1
The most famous American military handgun of the
twentieth century was the Model of 1911. Designed by the
legendary John M. Browning and manufactured by Colt
Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, the M1911 be-
came universally known among U.S. servicemen simply as
the “.45.”
12 - USAAF AN-S-31/AN6550 Summer Flying Suit
The AN-S-31 summer ying suit was standardized in
1943 for use by USAAF pilots and aircrew personnel. De-
veloped for the U.S. Army Air Corps, the suit featured two
buttoned breast pockets and two buttoned pockets posi-
tioned on the lower legs, allowing easy access while seat-
ed in the cockpit. It was produced from either wool or
tightly woven cotton, materials chosen for their ability to
provide limited protection against wind exposure and re.
The simplied design of the AN-S-31 also helped accel-
erate production and reduce manufacturing costs during
wartime.
13 - US Army Service Shoes Type II
Designed during the 1930s with an emphasis on everyday
service use, these shoes soon proved insuciently durable
for extended eld and combat conditions. Although sever-
al improvements were introduced over time, the leather
soles used on early models wore out quickly during ac-
tive service. In the autumn of 1941, rubber heels and pro-
tective sole taps were introduced, creating what became
known as the Type II pattern. Service shoes of this type
remained in use with both the U.S. Army and the Army Air
Forces throughout the Second World War.
INFO Eduard
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Srpen 2026