The Dude

[Grant]

Gerry Brasher, 78th Fighter Group, 82nd Fighter Squadron rocking his painted A-2 and a B-10 in two different photos at Duxford. Not even the Big Lebowski was as cool as this cat.

 

[Smithy]

Ice cold

 

[Roughwear]

Great couple of photos Grant. It is also interesting to see all the chaps in the top picture sporting 43 Pattern RAF Escape boots.

 

[Grant]

Yeah, they knew a good thing. Also dig the combat knife Brasher added to one of his boots.
BTW, not to geek out, but from the looks of the collar points, pocket flaps, epaulets, wide cut sleeves it looks like he's sporting a Dubow.

 

[Roughwear]

I think you are right about the Dubow Grant.

 

[John Lever]

Wonder what the knife was for Cutting webbing ?
I believe some US special forces carry tomahawks.

 

[B-Man2]

The knife looks to be an M3 Fighting knife, but what kind of aircraft is he sitting in?
My guess would be an early P-47 Republic Thunderbolt before it had a 360 vision degree tear drop canopy.
How's that for getting my geek on

 

[Grant]

Yeah, it's an early razorback model P-47 from 1943.

 

[Smithy]

Yup a razorback Jug.

I'd imagine his primary purpose for carrying the knife is to cut the parachute harness or shrouds in the event of being entangled in trees or some other structure after baling out.