IJN Pilot Float Vest

[FightenIrish35]

We all have those items we wait and wait and wait until a nice example pops up. Well the two items on my list are a IJN Pilots Float vest and Navy pilot boots either named or without condition issues.

Finally picked up a great example of the IJN Pilots float vest. It is Complete. Shows honest wear here and there. Am not sure who it is named to inside or what the kanji on the back reads so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Am very excited to finally have a nice example in the collection.

[Nick Komiya]

It says "Club Member" on the back. Must have been used by a yacht club or such after the war.

[Jareth]

Apparently many of these were unissued, surplus & post war used by ferry boat passengers, yaht clubs etc. I hope the seller didn't withhold the translation from you.

[FightenIrish35]

Oh darn . Shame the markings arnt period. Seller did not know what markings were. Vest was a great price. Thd kanji on the left is identical to the last kanji on the navy depot tag inside.
Is the kanji written inside a name?

[Jareth]

Still an excellent original example. Enjoy

[J7W22007]

Hi Michael-san,

The tag with the three written characters might be:

横外　一

Hajime Yokogai

Kazu Yokogai

Ichi Yokogai

Ninomae Yokogai

Very rear last name.

However, there might be a possibility of being the placed location of this float vest (on ship, or boat).

Regards,
Taka

[GHP]

Probably position locations for the vests:

員部
In-bu
Member's Section

横外 一
Yoko-gai ichi
Outer [outboard?] Side 1

Guessing the others could be 横外二 Outboard Side 2, etc.

Airborne operations (except helecopter jumps) use "outboard" side -- those on the left and right fuselage sides; and "inboard" side -- those on the inner rows (both left and right). Jump commands included "Outboard personnel ... stand UP!" and those along the left and right sides stood up together. Next command: "Inboard personnel.... stand UP!"
These designations precluded having to say "starboard/right" and "port/left". Perhaps that is how 横外 was used?

--Guy
(still full of Starbuck's coffee ........)



--Guy