What did bomber crews wear?
Early bomber crews wore standard M1 infantry helmets but found them uncomfortable since their headphones fit poorly under the helmet. Also, crewmen in confined spaces, like ball turret gunners, could not wear them. The M3 helmet was a modification of the standard M1 infantry helmet.
What did b17 wear?
Three types of parachute harnesses are used. The B-7 and the Observer harness, as shown above, and the American QAC harness for the AN-6513- 1a parachute. (Shown in great detail on this page) Two of the crew are wearing the RAF MK VII goggles and 2 others are wearing either the 6530 or B-7 type goggles.
What is a bomber pilot called?
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat).
What did bomber pilots wear in WW2?
During World War II, there was no prescribed flying uniform that AAF aircrewmen were required to wear. In the Southwest Pacific, some flew combat in summer-season shirts and trousers while others wore lightweight flying suits.
Did WW2 RAF pilots carry guns?
Generally, officers carried revolvers, SNCOs in the later years of the war would have sten guns and airmen rifles. When flying, most people carried revolvers, as a . 303 rifle would be too unwieldly to wave about in an aircraft.
How did bomber crews stay warm?
Early bomber crewmen wore thick sheep shearling clothing to fend off the crippling cold. Some crewmen wore electrically-heated undergarments and gloves. They had internal wires that functioned like those in a heating pad.
What was the life expectancy of a WW2 pilot?
Life Expectancy The average life expectancy of a spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain was an astonishing four weeks. During the battle, 544 British RAF pilots died.
Do RAF pilots carry pistols?
The air crew also each carry a Strechkin automatic pistol.
What pistol did the RAF use in ww2?
The M1911 was the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1986. It was widely used in World War I and World War II, and there were around 2,700,000 of the M1911 and M1911A1 in military contracts during its service life.