WWII Uniforms and Flight Gear (Photo Shoot)

WWII Uniforms and Flight Gear
Ed Nored Private Collection
photos copyright ©2006-2008 by Ed Nored, used by permission
Photo Shoot F-2 Booklet F-3 Booklet Fighter Pilots
Bomber Crews 1 Bomber Crews 2 Bomber Crews 3 Bomber Crews 4

These photographs of uniforms and flight gear are presented to show the typical uniforms and gear used by B-17 and B-24 crewmen in 1944. Very few color photographs exist from 1944. We are grateful to Ed Nored and his volunteer crew for sharing his collection and providing a colorful look into the past. Ed's comments and descriptions of his collection are below:
First of all, let me apologize to all of you mechanics out there of the 8th and 15th AAF who are not represented in the photos. I had the correct clothing ready but simply ran out of time rounding up volunteers for the crew and the Clubmobile girls. Once I had found out the B-17 "909" was going to be at our local airport, I only had a week to get my collection fitted on these people. I was lucky enough to find 12 responsible people willing to show up at 6 A.M. on a weekday when many had to call in late or ask for time off from work. My good friend Rick Ruhman assisted me greatly in this endeavor. They all were like the mechanics of the AAF -- without them my bomber crew wasn't going anywhere.

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(1) On 06 June 2005 in Chico, California, 12 volunteers posed in Ed Nored's collection of authentic 1944 WWII uniforms and flight gear. The B-17G "Nine O Nine" is owned by the Collings Foundation.

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(2) Counting all the of the pieces that were brought together to make up this crew (and counting pairs as one), there are over 200 items. The first aid packs tied to the parachute harnesses and 2 of the A-3 harnesses are reproductions. Most likely the whistles on the jackets are post war. The remainder of items are authentic WWII items. All items have their original stampings, marking and labels. Six of the parachutes have their canopy inside and all are WWII dated and correctly installed. As I obtain more WWII canopies, they will be installed correctly into the empty container. I'm working towards completing a 100% complete crew. Realistically, this is not going to happen because of the F-2 heated uniform. The F-2 consists of 4 main pieces: the outer jacket and outer pants, a heated pant liner and a heated jacket liner. The two heated liners button into hems that are in each outer piece. The pants I have are 100% complete with their heated liners buttoned into the hem of the pants. Out of the five F-2 jackets you see, three have the heated liner, but the wire inserts have been removed. Only one has a 100% complete jacket liner with wires and connections intact. -- one of the rarest items out there. The man in Photo #5 is wearing the 100% complete F-2. In case you collectors didn't know, the electric cord that leads from the F-1, F-2, F-3 and F-3a are all identical.

UPDATE: I have now acquired two authentic A-3 harnesses to replace the reproductions and have had two more authentic WW2 parachutes installed correctly into the empty ones.

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(3) When I got a chance to stop concentrating on the bomber crew, I began to focus on those Red Cross girls in many of the photos taken around the airfields. Most of the ladies didn't seem to be wearing the standard issue Red Cross uniform, but something else I couldn't easily identify. It turns out many of them were going into London and having outfits similar to the R.A.F. battle jacket made up, a dark blue pants and jacket. Several months before the photo shoot a Red Cross grouping popped up on Ebay. Among several articles of clothing were 2 jackets and pants with a London Label and best of all the Clubmobile Red Cross patch on the shoulder of each jacket, named to Francis K. Goodwin. I was hoping to use both outfits but could only fit one. The other uniform I believe is just one of the many standard issue RC uniforms. My compliments to the two ladies who took the time to get the correct look in hair and makeup . . . and to Miss Goodwin wherever you are, God Bless you.

(4) The 2 crewmen above are both wearing the F-2 heated uniform, B-3 Mae Wests, rayon gloves and A-11 helmets with A-14 O2 masks. The goggles on the left are the R.A.F. MK VIII and on the right are the AN-6530s. On the left is the back pack B-8 parachute on the right is the red group type QAC with the AN6513-1 parachute in hand. The F-2/3 heated gloves are hanging from their connectors and he is wearing the F-2 felt boots. The man on the left wears the A-6 boot. Both types of boots could be worn with either the F-2 or F-3 heated suit. To see an example of the F-2 suit and the B-8 chute as depicted on the man on the left go to Lead Crew Mission #103 and check out T/Sgt Kuehl. Kuehl is wearing the Black Felt F-2 boots. This is the earliest photo I could find of someone wearing the F-2. Also worth noting in the photo is the man on the right is wearing R.A.F. flight boots.

(5) The crewman above wears the F-2 heated uniform. This lighter shade material has been referred to as the "enlisted mans" grade. It should be noted that in my survey of several hundred 8th AAF bomber crew photos in which I was able to identify the lighter shade, it was worn by an officer. The A-11 helmet with A-14 O2 mask and B-8 goggles complete the headgear. He also wears the red group QAC harness with an AN6513-1a parachute. The crewman wears a B-3 "Mae West" Life preserver and in the photo you can see where the extension cord or Lead Cord, as it is referred to in the manual, connects to the short cord coming from the electric suit. Rayon gloves slip into the F-2/3 heated gloves. He stands in the F-2 felt boot. To see this boot in use, see Lead Crew #234. T/Sgt Joe Vieira is wearing the black felt boots. Also note how one of the QAC harnesses is marked red and the others are not .

(6) This crewman wears the F-2 heated uniform, the red group QAC over the B-3 Mae West and is holding a navigators briefcase. In the other hand is the AN-6513-1a parachute. On top is the A-11 helmet with A-14 O2 mask and AN-6530 goggles. Like the other crewmen, the lead or extension cord from his heated suit is well shown and is for plugging into the airplane. The F-2/3 heated gloves are the only pair in the light tan I've ever seen -- extremely rare. Also showing is the First Aid Packet tied to every harness. During the war these contained a bandage, tourniquet and Morphine Syrette. All of mine are reproductions. He is wearing the F-2 felt boot. Please refer to Lead Crew #277: 1Lt Campbell is wearing light tan gloves. Also check out T/Sgt King. Sticking out from the cuffs of his F-2 suit are the connecting point for the heated gloves, 2 simple snaps.

(7) This crewman wears the F-3 heated uniform. It consists of 2 pieces, the bib-front trousers and a bolero style jacket. The F-2/3 gloves and booties worn over the feet are the same as used with the F-2 heated uniform. Over the F-3 this crewman is wearing the B-10 jacket and A-9 trousers. Followed by the type B-4 or AN-6519-1 Mae West. On top of that is the A-3 yellow group parachute harness. He holds an A-3 parachute in hand and is wearing the A-6 boot. An A-11 helmet with A-14 O2 mask and B-8 goggles top it all off. This photo was taken the same day of the photo shoot, but with 35 mm film rather than digital. It shows the shiny sheen that appeared on the some of the newly issued flight jacket and pants better then the digital shot. See the 303rd combat crew of the 358th Klimback Crew. In that photo you will see both B-10 and B-15 jackets with and without that "shiny" look. I'm not sure if one or more of the manufacturers were trying a new material or process.

(8) - This crewman wears the same equipment as in photo #7. This A-3 harness, as the one in photo #7, are excellent reproductions from Vintage Parachutes. Worth noting is the Army Air Force decal on the A-6 boot.

(9) This Ex-Marine proudly wears the B-10 jacket and A-9 pants combination over the F-3 heated suit. A B-4 or AN-6519-1 Mae West is under the red group, unmarked, QAC. Rayon gloves with the F-2/3 heated gloves hang from the connectors to the F-3 heated jacket and the parachute is the AN6513 1a. The dinghy whistle hangs from the zipper pull. Though all the whistles on my jackets were Acme Thunderers made in England. I'm fairly certain these whistles are all post war. The flight helmet is the RAF Type C with a pair of AN6530 goggles on top. He also wears an A-14 O2 mask and a pair of A-6 boots. Look at S/Sgt Guzman in Lead Crew #159 to see the R.A.F. type C helmet in action.

(10) This crewman wears the F-2 heated uniform. Its shearling collar shows off well. Also, the B-4 or AN-6519-1 Mae West, and a totally authentic A-3 parachute harness made with OD (green) webbing. The best crew shot I could find showing examples of the A-3 harness in both the white and OD webbing is Lead Crew # 270. Also in this same photo are at least 4 examples of the F-2 heated uniform, two of which have the shearling collars. You will also find A-11 helmets with B-8 goggles, A-6 boots and B-10 jackets. Getting back to the above crewman, he is holding an A-3 parachute and his other hand has a firm grasp on the extension cord. The plug you see is the end that goes into the airplane. A-6 boots are present and of course the heated gloves. Another R.A.F. type C flight helmet is utilized topped with the R.A.F. Mk VIII goggles.

(11) The above crewman wears the B-10 jacket , A-9 pants over the F-3 heated suit, the. B-4 or AN-6519-1 Mae West, F-2/3 and rayon gloves, A-6 boots, A-11 helmet with R.A.F. Mk. VIII goggles and A-14 mask. The parachute is a type B-8 with male/female or twist and lock or bayonet hardware. I've read or heard all 3 names used to describe this type of hardware. Don't confuse this B-8 with the parachutes you see in the 1943 photos of bomber crews here at the 303rd web pages. The early backpack you see with the bayonet type hardware is the type B-7. Mark VIII goggles can be seen hanging around Lt. Reed's neck on Lead Crew #234. Also note binocular cases hanging from some of the men, including Reed. 1Lt Jackson H. Hunt in the lead crew photo for Mission #328 is wearing the B-8 type chute with the bayonet type hardware.

(12) This waist gunner wears the F-2 heated uniform, the unmarked (redgroup) Q.A.C., B-4 or AN6519-1 Mae West, AN-6530 goggles, A-14 O2 mask and heated gloves. He's all hooked up and ready to go.

(13) And finally, a treat from the folks back home, courtesy of the American Red Cross.

[photos and comments copyright and courtesy of Ed Nored]

The uniforms and gear presented here are from the private collection of Ed Nored. Any reproduction or other use of these photographs is strictly forbidden. 303rdBG.com was granted exclusive rights to these photographs solely for historical purposes. These items are not for sale on eBay or elsewhere.