Opinions on Goggles: Flight or Tanker?

[kaigunair]

yes dean, I do have a pair of tanker goggles.

[kaigunair]

and since I own tanker goggles, I can compare them to my real aviation goggles.

[kaigunair]

I also own a winter set of real early aviator goggles to compare them too

[kaigunair]

as well as this early set of goggles (right side, notice thick strap)

[kaigunair]

as well as this set with rubber eye cups and a hinge

[kaigunair]

and here's a set of dust goggles with a nice thin strap (maybe they're private purchase ones!)

[kaigunair]

I also have books, with pictures, that also have words, which say interesting things.

[kaigunair]

more pictures from the book with pictures.

[tropenmilitaria]

One of the things that I really like about the Japanese Forum is the helpful and friendly nature of its posters. It is generally devoid of the conflict that I see on many of the other subforms on the WAF. I don't take delight when two fellow collectors are in open disagreement of a personal nature. Both of you guys have alot more knowledge about Japanese militaria than I and many of the other posters here so I hope you guys can have a beer one day together and get back to the hobby that we all love and enjoy. If I am in the area then the beers will be on me

[zachb]

Why can't these be conversion, i.e., started life as tanker and were used for aviation? Is the "tinting" a film over the lens or an integral part of the lens itself? Why would tanker goggles ever need to be tinted?

[zachb]

I think this has the potential to be a very informative thread. Respectfully some of the pictures posted thus far are not that helpful for one who has limited knowledge about various Japanese goggles. However, as someone who would like to "put together" a tanker crewman at some point I would very much like to know the differences between the various types. Thanks, Zach

[kaigunair]

I've seen tear shaped goggles with fur... aka winter ski goggles . those pop up on epay as japanese aviator goggles. but that is a great lead, non-japanese goggles, early US aviation in Prodgers....

why would a tanker need tinted goggles? well, I typically wear sunglasses when I drive my car, so unless japanese tanks had built in auto-tinting in the periscope or driving glass, I would assume there would be of some use for tank drivers. (ooo, I maybe doing the same thing about wearing sunglasses here I did with the whole wearing the lamp by pilots....)

[kaigunfan]

I concur with Dean.

These look like PILOT goggles to me. I have a similar pair (non-tinted) and fur-lined in my goggles.

Don't ask - they are not for sale. I love them too and pretty scarce.

Ron W.