US Military Aviation
Flight Equipments USAF late 40s-50s



Miscelaneous images of flight equipments used by USAF from late 40s through the end of 50s.


USAF pilot of P-80 in 1946 with anti-g garment and early type of interim flight helmet.(LIFE)

USAF pilot of P-80 in 1956 with parachute, early type of interim flight helmet and A-14 oxygen mask. (LIFE)

Lt. William starr near a T-33 in 1953. (John Starr)

Lt. William Starr near a F-86 Sabre in 1954. (John Starr)

USAF parachute model Switlik 26 ft. dated 1955

USAF Korea war pilots. (USAF)

USAF pilot James Jabara in 1950. (USAF)

USAF Flight suit 1958

USAF pilot Jack Weeks

USAF pilot 1/Lt Joe Leberte of the 45th FIS at Sidi Slimane AB 1954 (Joe Leberte www.45thfs.com)

USAF early 50s life preserver B-5

USAF Anti g suit G-4A used during the early 50s (Bluelight)

USAF Capt. Iven C. Kincheloe with MA-3 high altitude flight helmet and CSU-4/P partial pressure suit during the late 50s (USAF)

USAF 45th FIS pilots with cold weather suits at Greenland during the early 50s. (Don Woske)

USAF Oxygen Mask MBU-3/P dated 1958 with CRU-8/P pressure regulator.

USAF pilots with anti-exposure flight suit MK-3 in 1953

USAF pilot with anti-exposure equipment during the Korean war.

USAF F-94 pilot during the early 50s.

USAF pilots during the early 50s

Single strap shoulder holster made for the 1911 .45 cal. auto. This holster was designed to be worn with the adjustable strap over the head on the right shoulder with the strap crossing over the chest. This M-3 holster was designed to meet Air Corps requirements for a holster that would not interfere with the pilots access to the plane’s controls or his wearing a parachute. (Information by Justin Brooks)

USAF S-4 Partaial Pressure Suit. The S-4 was a modified S-2 partial pressure suit, no anti-G, chest bladder incorporated for ease of breathing. The S-4 also incorporated abdominal bladder for individuals who experienced abdominal difficulties, e.g. weak inguinal rings.

USAF B 36 pilots during the early 50s equipped with K-1 "Splitshell" high-altitude partial pressure helmet and S-4 suit

USAF YF-102A Test pilots during the early 50s equipped with K-1 "Splitshell" high-altitude partial pressure helmet and S-4 suit (fineart america)

USAF Test pilot Kit Murray during the early 50s at Edwards AFB wearing the K-1 high-altitude partial pressure helmet and S-4 suit

USAF F-100 pilot wearing, P-4 helmet, K-2 flight suit and G-3 anti G suit

USAF F-100 pilots of the late 50s with P-4B helmet MK2 LPUK-2B flight suits and CSU-3 anti G suits

USAF blue anti-g suit G-4A used during the 50s (courtesy FB)

USAF blue anti-g suit G-4A used during the 50s (courtesy FB)

USAF anti-g suit G-4B used during the 50s

USAF anti-g suit MB-2 used during the 50s

USAF K-2 flight suit used for short time during the 50s

USAF K-2 flight suit used for a short time during the 50s

USAF 1953 flight equipment including K-1 summer flight suit, G-3A anti-G pants, P-3 flight helmet, MS-220001 oxygen mask mask, H-2 Emergency Oxygen Bottle, 5024C-8 or -9 parachute, C-2A Raft Pack, B-5 life preserver, B-3A summer gloves, M-3 shoulder holster for the .45 Colt, TL-122D Flashlight is in the lower right pocket of the G-3A anti-G pants. (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF 1953 flight equipment (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF 1953 flight equipment, details of the 5024C-8 or -9 parachute and C-2A Raft Pack (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF 1953 flight equipment details of the H-2 Emergency Oxygen Bottle, and emergency flashing light (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF 1953 flight equipment, details of the G-3A anti-G pants, survival knife and boots (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF 1953 flight equipment details of the flight gloves and Single strap holster made for the 1911 .45 cal. auto (Franco Fissore collection)

USAF early 50s T-1 partial pressure flight suit and K-1 helmet

On the left USAF early 50s T-1 partial pressure flight suit and K-1 helmet, on the right the US Navy Goodrich full pressure suit

USAF E-1 Radio Carrier Vest. This type of vest was used by aircrews in Korea and was still being listed in Air Force T.O.'s for use in multi-man raf survival kits in the late 70s (Niki Helsen)

USAF late of the 50s "Bill Jack" design Model D-10 flight helmet with Sierra Model 249 oxygen mask

This oxygen mask Model 249 developed by Sierra during the late of the 50s was the precursor of the MBU-5/P.

USAF late of the 50s high altitude partially pressure gloves

These gloves were used with T-1, MC-1, MC-3, MC-3A, MC-4 and MC-4A partial presure suits.

USAF late of the 50s high altitude partially pressure gloves leather variant

These gloves were also used with T-1, MC-1, MC-3, MC-3A, MC-4 and MC-4A partial presure suits.

Complete set of USAF K-1 high-altitude partial pressure helmet and S-4 suit

Complete set of USAF K-1 or MB-5 high-altitude partial pressure helmet and S-4 suit (MM-05, KM-06)