​​​FLIGHTGEAR.CH

 

A-11 UNISSUED

 

Type A-11 intermediate leather flying helmet

Unissued example

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For a detailed description of this type of helmet click here.

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Pressure demand oxygen mask Type A-15A

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Oxygen mask, Type A-15A, size S

Manufacturer: Ohio Chemical Inc., July 1945

Designed by: BLB / Boothby, Lovelace and Bulbulian

Specification No.: 3209

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The Type A-15A pressure breathing mask was an improved version of the Type A-15 designed by Dr. A. H. Bulbulian of the Mayo Clinic. Development of the A-15 by the Ohio Chemical and Manufacturing Co. had started in October 1943 with service tests following in November 1944, resulting in non-acceptance by the Army Air Forces Board.

The A-15A entered service-test status in May 1945 but eventually was not standardized. Both the AAF and US Navy rejected the type as representing no significant improvement, or even being inferior in certain respects, to the A-13(A) and A-14A. Thus, development was halted after the end of the war.

The A-15A, the last type-numbered oxygen mask developed up to the end of 1945, sealed the face against a positive pressure and was intended for use with aircraft operating above 35'000 feet. An adjustable system of braces for the nasal and cheek areas provided a snug fit. It featured inlet-cheek valves and a compensated exhalation valve.

This type of mask could also be modified into a demand oxygen mask by installing an ordinary exhalation valve.

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Type B-8 goggles

 

The B-8 was introduced in October 1943 and represented a completely new approach in goggle design. With its lightweight, flexible one-piece chamois backed black rubber frame into which non shatterable plastic lenses were fitted it was a breakthrough in terms of wearing comfort, field of vision and versatility. Distortion was minimal and the goggle kit included various lenses in different colors to be worn according to prevailing conditions. Clear lenses providing protection against wind and dust, non-polarizing dark green and polarizing for sun protection and amber to enhance contrast in haze and clouds. The lenses could be worn in combinations and their only drawback was that they had to be treated with care to avoid scratches. A simple adjustable alastic webbing headband fixed the goggles to the wearer's head. The rubber frame could be trimmed in order to improve coordination with the A-10A, A-14 and A-13 oxygen masks.

The original design and manufacture came from Polaroid but the goggles were also produced by Rochester Optical and American Optical.

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Polaroid also produced an almost identical “cousin” designated M-1944 for use by Navy and Marine Corps aviators.