Luft flight equipment and all that's related.

[Jos L C]

Another ( selfmade ? ) combination..

[Jos L C]

A super nice creation !!!


Jos.

[Jos L C]

About swimmingvests..

I guess we've :

The full back kapok .( sausage )
The open back kapok .

And for the inflatables :

Early full back with metal mouth piece ,copper /metal parts and copper cylinder .

Early open back with metal mouth piece ,copper /metal parts and copper cylinder .

Later/late open back with bakelite mouth piece , bakelite /zink/iron parts and metal /zink cylinder..

Some pics for explanation :

[Jos L C]

Full back kapok Schwimmweste .




Jos.

[Jos L C]

Open back kapok vest .




Jos.

[Jos L C]

Early full back inflatable.... ,watch the un-usual color...,I've no idea about that.., would think reddish/brown ,but don't know actualy..

It looks this vest has the same red tube like Gene's vest..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

side-view of the full back..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

The vests with iron mouth piece were used at the battle of Brittain .


Jos.

[Jos L C]

Bakelite parts ...open back /mid-war , late..


Jos.

[Gene]

Good pics. I'm not sure if the blue full back inflatable vest was before the yellow one, but it would make sense as the Luftwaffe seemed to settle on that color.

[Jos L C]

I didn't think of blue in the first place ,but now you mention ,I think they had blue flightsuits and caps too.. I once saw some training pics and all had the dark color rather than tan..


This tough pilot has put some clips on all straps of the vest ,for quicker dress-undress reasons maybe ?


Will post some vests too later..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

Kapok vest dated 1941 .

Type : Karl Heisler .

Maker : Von Guenzburg Paris !!


Jos.

[Jos L C]

Label .

[Gene]

Any pics of the Kriegsmarine vest being worn by Luftwaffe aircrews?

[Jos L C]

Till now .., no.., maybe other members.., I hope ?

Inflatable vest BWZ '43


Jos.