The Luftwaffe used two types of life preserver throught the war: the carbon dioxide cartridge-operated inflatable type, and the kapok filled type.
Both types were used during the Battle of Britain, they are known as model 10-30 (the carbon dioxide cartridge-operated inflatable type - Fl 30154) and the 10-76A kapok schwimmveste (full-back style kapok - Fl.30156)
After the Battle of Britain, both models were improved
I - the carbon dioxide cartridge-operated inflatable type was replaced by the model 10.30 B Schwimmweste, a much improved design, replacing the full-back model and utilizing a stole type buoyancy chamber, so that a cushion of air was maintenaided behind the head, around the shoulders and on the chest, ensuring the wearer's head was kept clear of water and that he floated face upwards. The B-1 pattern (Fl 30154-1) emerged late in 1940 as a result of lessons learned in the English channel during the Battle of Britain. The B-2 (Fl 30154-2) followed in 1941 and differed only in having plastic fittings for the gas inflation cartridge and the mouthpiece instead of Nickel and cast alloy.
II - the 10-76A kapok schwimmveste (full-back style kapok - Fl.30156), as a result of stability problems was redesigned to provide more buoyancy at the front by leaving out thekapok "sausages" around the wearer's back. The open back model 10-76 B-1 was introduced in 1943
* On late war schwimmweste the nomenclature is ink stamped instead of having a label
** Photographic evidence indicates that both types (kapok and inflatable schwimmweste) were used by all aircrew positions and completely without regard to the type of aircraft flown BUT I will tend to agree that inflatable schwimmwestes were more used by fighters and kapok by bombers, transport, knowing it is not a rule but a personal choice.
*** Text inspired from "Luftwaffe vs RAF" by M. Prodger (Volume II)
Both types were used during the Battle of Britain, they are known as model 10-30 (the carbon dioxide cartridge-operated inflatable type - Fl 30154) and the 10-76A kapok schwimmveste (full-back style kapok - Fl.30156)
After the Battle of Britain, both models were improved
I - the carbon dioxide cartridge-operated inflatable type was replaced by the model 10.30 B Schwimmweste, a much improved design, replacing the full-back model and utilizing a stole type buoyancy chamber, so that a cushion of air was maintenaided behind the head, around the shoulders and on the chest, ensuring the wearer's head was kept clear of water and that he floated face upwards. The B-1 pattern (Fl 30154-1) emerged late in 1940 as a result of lessons learned in the English channel during the Battle of Britain. The B-2 (Fl 30154-2) followed in 1941 and differed only in having plastic fittings for the gas inflation cartridge and the mouthpiece instead of Nickel and cast alloy.
II - the 10-76A kapok schwimmveste (full-back style kapok - Fl.30156), as a result of stability problems was redesigned to provide more buoyancy at the front by leaving out thekapok "sausages" around the wearer's back. The open back model 10-76 B-1 was introduced in 1943
* On late war schwimmweste the nomenclature is ink stamped instead of having a label
** Photographic evidence indicates that both types (kapok and inflatable schwimmweste) were used by all aircrew positions and completely without regard to the type of aircraft flown BUT I will tend to agree that inflatable schwimmwestes were more used by fighters and kapok by bombers, transport, knowing it is not a rule but a personal choice.
*** Text inspired from "Luftwaffe vs RAF" by M. Prodger (Volume II)
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