Some of the 4th FG and a lot of A-2s

[Smithy]

Wow!
RAF life jacket...

He was issued it when he was an Eagle. Lots of the Eagles continued to use their RAF issued flying kit after they had transferred to US service. I have a great photo of one Eagle wearing US uniform with an Irvin and 1936 Pattern RAF flying boots.

 

[Brettafett]

I read in a book about the 357th, could have been 'To Fly an Fight' by Bud Anderson... that pilots generally preferred the RAF flying goggles also.

 

[Pilot]

Yup! plus many photos available to document it...
Furthermore, saw a few photos ( need to find them) with RAF and USAAF pilots wearing German googles and Schwimmweste ( life vest).
Need to find those photos.

 

[Brettafett]

German goggles! Where'd they find those?! Please find those pics, look forward to seeing them.

 

[Pilot]

 

[Pilot]

Will search for more...but guess like the Schwimmweste...

 

[Cocker]

That's Eric Lock, right? Guess he got it from a downed german pilot

 

[Steve27752]

Guy Gibson used one as well.

 

[Pilot]

IMHO, he is wearing an Auer Windschutzbrille 295...
Typical Luftwaffe Bomber googles...
Will search for more photos

 

[Brettafett]

Ahhhh right! Interesting...

 

[Brettafett]

I have always wondered about the issue of glare in WW2. The US pilots had sunglasses, but wore goggles in the cockpit/ in combat, yes? These were not tinted were they? Any thoughts on this?

 

[Smithy]

I have always wondered about the issue of glare in WW2. The US pilots had sunglasses, but wore goggles in the cockpit/ in combat, yes? These were not tinted were they? Any thoughts on this?

Goggles came in both tinted and untinted Brett. IIRC Triplex were the first to bring out tinted goggles and did so during WWI.

 

[Brettafett]

I have never seen an actual pair myself, so that answers that. Thanks.

 

[Pilot]

Any members here of Wehrmachtawards?
they had a thread on WWII US and allied troops wearing/ using German gear/equipment/weapons...
Amazing photos...
Cannot find it right now but will for sure.

 

[Pilot]

I have never seen an actual pair myself, so that answers that. Thanks.

I have one pair with all lenses ...
Will post photos ASAP.

 

[Pilot]

 

[Pilot]

Sure that these boys ( a testabd evaluation Group ) used a lot of Luftwaffe gear...
See the Me110 in the background, the pilot badge of the RAF pal on the right end, his flight cap... plus the googles of the pilot in the middle...
Still searching for others...

 

[Smithy]

plus the googles of the pilot in the middle...

Those goggles are Luxor ones, private purchase and mildly popular with RAF aircrew. They were expensive though at the time.

 

[Pilot]

Ups... ...sorry.

 

[Pilot]