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GEARING UP
- Thread starter Grant
- Start date
MeachamLake
Well-Known Member
The D-1 doesn't get discussed enough really - it's clear from looking at photos that there's an incredible amount of variation in them, from colour, collar size, pocket positions, the assembly of the front zipper...it goes on and on. I wonder if the QC on them was a little more relaxed since they weren't (officially) going up into the air?
Spitfireace
Well-Known Member
Looks like Beavis and Butthead at the end of the their journey.....rough journey
Spitfireace
Well-Known Member
If you were sticking your arms into small spaces and twisting bolts I think it would have torn quite easily and destroyed the cuffs/sleeves. Not to mention the grease on things.
Edward
Well-Known Member
that's an awesome picture! is that an M-4A2 flak helmet in his hand? And those B-24 tail gunners positions had a heck of a lot more room than the B-17s
Carl
Well-Known Member
Looks more like its predecessor the M4 ?
Edward
Well-Known Member
there was a perfect condition M3 on eBay a few weeks ago attributed to a named B-17 pilot from Brooklyn NY (his full name on the strap) no rust, ear pads intact just very minor surface scrapes ... should have bid on it as it only went for $200. usually perfect ones with straps and pads without named connections go for almost twice that. ugh, another thing that got away...
Edward
Well-Known Member
I’m learning that! A few things I’ve come across that I had to sleep on and try to justify the cost then try to talk myself out of... then I either have buyers remorse or loss depression lol! Sometimes I have to remember I’m not a museum!Never dwell on what could have been ! It will make you bitter and twisted !
I bought an M3 at a shop years ago that had the instruction sheet still tucked in the webbing. It has sustained more aging in my possession than it had when I bought it. Not sure why. I paid $50 and that was a good amount then.
Wasn’t the M4 leather covered? I wondered this too as it appears to have a Y or D strap rather than just the single leather strap of the common M4. That was no good!
Dave
Wasn’t the M4 leather covered? I wondered this too as it appears to have a Y or D strap rather than just the single leather strap of the common M4. That was no good!
Dave
Edward
Well-Known Member
I've read speculation that a water based adhesive was used to apply the pads inside the ear covers of the flak helmets and that started the oxidation the moment it was manufactured. rust corrosion slowly spreads and sadly once steel starts to oxidize there is little that can be done. even oxygen is an enemy as it combines with the metal at an atomic level, forming a new compound called an oxide and weakening the bonds of the metal itself. only thing you can do is keep it in a low humidity area and perhaps coat it with micro-crystalline wax like Renaissance Wax. but that will only help prevent new oxidation in areas where the paint is thin or scratched. most likely it has already started however and time is the enemy now....
Carl
Well-Known Member
" In Febuary of 1944 the T3/M4 were slightly enlarged to enable a better fit over leather flying helmets at the same time ,the exterior leather covering and chamois lining was abandoned and replaced by a canvas and green nylon " ( courtesy of Flight Gear 1942 -1945 by Mathieu Bianchi)
Carl
Well-Known Member
You might be lucky if you do ( would need an early one ) , but reading through the lines , i suspect the leather was totally removed before the OD cover was fitted .
The straps on the M4 look exactly the same
As the leather covered T3 .
