"Hitting the silk"

[Carl]

Hope this thread isnt too far off subject ?
A few pics of my 3 parachute harnesses
Seat,chest and back type
Seat type
AN6510-1 , of note are the pneumatic seat cushion and the earlier type horse hair filled back pad .
The "chute" pack manufactured by SWITLIK is from the 535 -AC 26567 contract awarded in April 1942 and completed in March 1943 at a value of
$5498k
Each complete AN6510-1 (harness,canopy ,pack tray and cushion) cost $71 to procur in 1943 .
(COURTESY ,CLASS 13 STOCK NUMBER INDEX )

 

[Smithy]

Excellent!

 

[Steve27752]

Superb kit.

 

[Grant]

Thanks for posting your epic collection. You have some really amazing things in pristine condition!

 

[Carl]

Thankyou Grant ! Very kind words indeed , humbled by them
C

 

[Carl]

Type A4 QAC harness

 

[Carl]

Type A4 chest pack

 

[B-Man2]

Damn Carl!!!!
Your creating a monster here.
Now I have to start searching for one of these.
Is there no end to this addiction!!
Somebody stop me!!

 

[Cocker]

Great collection, Carl!!

Have you ever had a look at the repro from here? https://www.theriggerdepot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

 

[Carl]

Thankyou Cocker!
Funnily enough the next chute im going to post came from the guys collection who runs the "Rigger Depot" Joshua DeJong .
He does make make spot on copies though using all original machines and textiles and is a fountain of knowledge on parachutes !
When it comes to USAAF equipment etc i dont entertain reproduction items im afraid , thats just me and my personal preference . I dont do living history or re-enactment , so i know im not going to damage or ruin any of it by wearing /running around in it .
That's just me

 

[Cocker]

Totally understandable, Carl! I just came across the Rigger Depot not long ago, and was really impressed by hwat I saw. That being said, I don't have a lot of knowledge regarding this gear and I was interested in having your collector's opinion.

 

[Carl]

His gear he makes is as good as an original ! Such an eye for detail !
They do make good impression pieces !

 

[Carl]

Type B8 back type parachute , this particular example is made by National Automotive Fibres inc with an American lady Corset canopy .
There is a quite surreal story regarding this chute. The seller had no knowledge at all of Tan single ply service visor i have and i didnt know that this pack was named at the time of inquiring about it .
Low and behold the names on both items match , and the last digits of the ASN can just be made out to be the same that are on this Tan visor i have . Fate ? destiny ?? Being on either side of the "pond " what were the chances ???

 

[Carl]

as of April 1944 the procurment cost of the complete type A4 QAC harness was $80

 

[falcon_ib]

Nice! Have you done any research on the name?

 

[Carl]

Nice! Have you done any research on the name?

Not as yet ! Its on the ever growing list of names to research

 

[Carl]

Type A4 QAC harness View attachment 4457View attachment 4458
View attachment 4459
View attachment 4460 View attachment 4461 View attachment 4462

Strange how you notice somthing even when you have had somthing for so long !!

On the webbing strap the word /letters are marked ALCCO .
Just realised this what company this is !
The American Lady Corset Company

 

[Carl]

That particular harness assembly was from the 33038 AC 6450 contract for $51k December 44 completed in April 45 .

 

[Steve27752]

Carl, they are obviously old cheap tat................If you want me to take them off of your hands for free, I will '-)

 

[Carl]

Carl, they are obviously old cheap tat................If you want me to take them off of your hands for free, I will '-)

Yeah sure Steve !! Just give me a minute to pick myself up off the floor after peeing my pants laughing !