Soldier of Fortune aviators kit bag AN-6505-1

[Cocker]

I use generic textile/fabric paint, no particular brand. I also used stencil ink for a couple t-shirt, but it's a bit more fragile and, if not correctly settled in, can somewhat "leak" under water.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Steve, if you want, I could prepare the printable file for you, all you'd have to do is print it and cut it out?

What “fonts” do you use?

 

[Cocker]

What “fonts” do you use?

Marsh, of course!

 

[Flightengineer]

Hi guys.
I'm working on a project for such a bag and now at the stage of applying personal inscriptions and would like to ask those who are deeply in the subject.
What did the real service number of an AAF pilot (officer) look like in 1942-45? Wikipedia has conflicting info about prefix letters and quantity of digits.
Thanks to all who can help.

 

[Cocker]

Hi guys.
I'm working on a project for such a bag and now at the stage of applying personal inscriptions and would like to ask those who are deeply in the subject.
What did the real service number of an AAF pilot (officer) look like in 1942-45? Wikipedia has conflicting info about prefix letters and quantity of digits.
Thanks to all who can help.

Usually, it would start with an "O" for the Officers, then a hyphen, then 6 or 7 numbers.

 

[Flightengineer]

Usually, it would start with an "O" for the Officers, then a hyphen, then 6 or 7 numbers.

Cédric thank you for quick response. Is there a rule about the first digits? I read that among the rank and file the first two digits were associated with the place from which the person was called. What about officers? Flight school numder or may be year? Or it was random?

 

[Greg Gale]

Here you go:

How to Decode a WWII US Army Serial Number

World War II US Army serial numbers weren't random. Here is how to find what each part of a WWII Army Serial Number means.

www.amyjohnsoncrow.com

 

[stanier]

So good to see this thread revived! Reminds me of weekends away and fun days with friends. Thank you Flight Engineer!

 

[Cocker]

Cédric thank you for quick response. Is there a rule about the first digits? I read that among the rank and file the first two digits were associated with the place from which the person was called. What about officers? Flight school numder or may be year? Or it was random?

Nope, I think they were somewhat attributed in sequence, unlike regular Army service numbers.

Greg nailed it ;-)

 

[Flightengineer]

Thanks friends!

 

[Carl]

I have some pics of the bags with serial numbers on them on my FB group if that helps ??

 

[Flightengineer]

I have some pics of the bags with serial numbers on them on my FB group if that helps ??

Can you show me the link, Сarl? I've almost formed the number, but haven't made a stencil yet. It will be helpful to have a look.

 

[stanier]

I have some pics of the bags with serial numbers on them on my FB group if that helps ??

Sorry to wander off topic slightly but I always think one of lifes little pleasures is being in a hotel bar at the end of a good day with a pint of something reading vlj. Often seems to lead to swapping beery tales with @Carl!

 

[Carl]

Sorry to wander off topic slightly but I always think one of lifes little pleasures is being in a hotel bar at the end of a good day with a pint of something reading vlj. Often seems to lead to swapping beery tales with @Carl!

Pmsl !! It does doesnt it !! From one beer to another !! And having you tell me all about those "dark" voodoo brews you get down there !!!

 

[Flightengineer]

I just finished my own AN-6505-1 project. Thanks to everyone who helped me with information.

More photos and details here

My bag inspired by AN-6505-1 kit bag

Hi guys, For a long time I wanted an aviator kit bag, but with a shoulder strap and not as big as the original. Yes, many here have good SOF small version but it also too big for my daily use. Then there introdused wonderful bags by InMemorySportswear, but I was not satisfied with the green...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[B-Man2]

Disregard that last question I just deleted. I read your other post .

 

[coolhandluke]

Adding my recently finished kit bag project to this topic. I ran across an ELC bag on eBay couple months back and was able to pick it up for approximately 1/2 the price of a new bag. Aside from having a name tag added by ELC, the bag was as-new with tags.

Even though the ELC bag is not an accurate copy, it meets my needs a little better with it being a smaller size. I just wanted a kit bag large enough to accommodate a jacket, gloves, and hat. I originally intended to stencil over the name tag, but decided to just leave it as-is. The only modifications that I made were adding zipper pulls from MASH, a stacked leather 511th BS patch from 5*, and an AAF stencil. The placement of the stencil isn't historically accurate, but neither is the bag, so I figured no harm, no foul. I just preferred the look of it being on the zipper flap.

 

[mulceber]

Great score, Luke. I agree they aren't accurate to the originals (basically a fantasy bag), but they're a damn cool fantasy bag. I've got one of the SoF bags and it's my go-to weekender bag.

 

[coolhandluke]

Great score, Luke. I agree they aren't accurate to the originals (basically a fantasy bag), but they're a damn cool fantasy bag. I've got one of the SoF bags and it's my go-to weekender bag.

Thanks Jan. In this particular circumstance, I'll take function over form. It's a cool, modestly sized bag that is very nicely constructed. I think it's interesting that with all the ELC gear that was used in MOTA, the wardrobe department chose to use a more accurate reproduction of the AN-6505 bag in the series. Not sure who the manufacturer was though.

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, their approach to accuracy was occasionally a little strange - like, they insisted on accurate AN-6505 bags, but then had B-17 gunners wearing A-10 gloves instead of the big shearling mitts.