Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, military and historical items for discerning collectors
Parachutes / Mae Wests
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest.
While bearing a resemblance to the issue types used by the Air Force and Navy of many of the warring nations, this is a commercial life vest, though it's actual origin is unknown. It had two labels attached at one time, long since removed (stitch holes are visible as shown). Though overall grubby and with some oil stains typical of use—as well as rust stains and rusted adjustment buckles at both sides—the vest is in reasonably good condition, with a few small holes and worn spots but none of the stuffing missing. It fastened with six buttons at the front, now missing. It would make a good project if restored for an aviation or marine display, or the kapok "sausages" could be salvaged for another restoration.
$55 / £45 / €50
 Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |  Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |
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 Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |  Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |
 Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |  Commercial 1930s kapok filled life vest |
1930s commercial kapok life jacket.
OD green cotton life vest made of kapok stuffed tubes, very similar in design to the types worn by German Luftwaffe and Japanese Air Force pilots and aircrews— in fact this resembles the Japanese float vest closely enough that it would work well—and a considerably cheaper alternative for display or re-enactment (since an original Japanese life vest can cost upwards of $5,000). Of course it can also be displayed as a good example of a commercial life vest of the period as used by sailors and aviators. Excellent condition, with s mall black mark to the rear and a linen label which is virtually washed out and illegible.
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$120 / £95 / €112
 1930s commercial kapok life jacket |  1930s commercial kapok life jacket |
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 1930s commercial kapok life jacket |  1930s commercial kapok life jacket |
 1930s commercial kapok life jacket |
RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use.
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Complete K-Dinghy pack Type A Mk 3 as worn by fighter pilots as a seat cushion attached to their seat-type parachutes. Heavy khaki canvas, in very good condition, if slightly dusty from storage, with all internal pockets for dinghy accessories and survival aids, multi-language instruction panel to top, lanyard with scarce connector for attaching to the Mae West. Marked to 827 squadron, Fleet Air Arm.
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$350 / £285 / €320
 RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |  RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |
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 RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |  RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |
 RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |  RAF one-man K-Dinghy pack, Type A Mk 3 for seat type parachute. FAA use. |
RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Life Vest, Tropical pattern, complete with original stole and kapoks - Australian made.
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Incredibly rare Tropical version of the 1932 Pattern Life Vest / Mae West. The 1932 pattern life vest was made in two variants: Temperate and Tropical, with the temperate being more of a waistcoat style, with a 3 button front, while the tropical was more skeletal, tied only with cotton tapes having a narrow strip fabric at the back. There is photographic evidence both types were worn during the Battle of Britain. British and Canadian made examples were green, while those made in the Commonwealth were also produced in tan/khaki. This example is Australian made, though most of its printed markings have faded (some can be seen faintly). Condition overall is very good, used. There evidence of wear but no damage. Good working zip at the collar allowing access to the fabric covered stole (bladder) and kapoks, both of which are excellent and also marked. Fabric is rubberized inside but much of the coating has dried and flaked off. Some sun fading which looks worse in the photos than in real life. An incredibly rare item.
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ON HOLD
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
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 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |  RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
 RARE stole pattern (1932 Pattern) Mae West, Australian made, complete with original stole (bladder) |
AAF parachute back cushion/pad.
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Olive drab/khaki canvas back cushion for the AAF parachute harness in excellent condition - possibly unissued (just a little storage wear). Feels like the standard horsehair stuffing.
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$125 / £105 / €118
 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
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 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
 AAF parachute back cushion/pad |
AAF parachute / equipment bag.
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Olive drab canvas hold-all issued as an equipment bag but mostly associated with parachute equipment. Very useful bags! Especially when in such great condition with a fully functioning zip and no wear or damage. Nicely marked and named to two different airmen, with a nice AAF logo to the front. Storage wear but overall very good.
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$100 / £83 / €94
 AAF parachute / equipment bag |  AAF parachute / equipment bag |
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 AAF parachute / equipment bag |  AAF parachute / equipment bag |
AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) with GENUINE WW2 silk canopy inside.
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Early style "square" pack used from 1942-43 until replaced with the "barrel" shaped design. Made by the Rigger Depot - but this example has been custom fitted with a genuine WW2 dated (August 1944) silk parachute canopy. This is as new and has never been worn or used.
Note: canopy is correctly packed but is NOT attached to the risers and this can NOT be used to jump.
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$495 / £430 / €495
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Pack only without canopy:
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$295 / £256 / €295
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
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 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |  AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
 AAF QAC "square" pack AN6513-1 (reproduction) |
AAF Pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft.
Heavy canvas pack for the Type C-2 Pneumatic raft for attaching to the seat-type parachute harness. This is one of the later types with the hooks reversed so that the wearer sat on the opening. manufacture date of March 1945. Made by Rubber Raft Corp. of America. Very good condition, with some staining and soiling from storage.
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$220 / £180 / €200
 AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |
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 AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |  AAF C-2 Pararaft pack |
RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern Mae West.
Small version of the heliograph / signal mirror which was intended for the Type K dinghy survival kit, but invariably finished up being carried in the small pocket on the 1941 pattern Mae West. Complete with cotton pouch and siting tool, all in excellent condition, with printed instructions on back of steel mirror. Minor rust stain on pouch and tiny speck of rust on siting tool. Retains cord for attaching to eyelet on Mae West.
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$65 / £52 / €60
 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |  RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
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 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |  RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
 RAF small heliograph / signal mirror for the 1941 pattern mae west |
AAF chest type parachute
T-ring to deploy 'chute.
One of those hard-to-find accessories to complete a parachute pack or display. The "T" shape pull handle for a chest type parachute as used by aircrew.
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$25 / £18 / €20
 AAF chest type parachute T-ring |  AAF chest type parachute T-ring |
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 AAF chest type parachute T-ring |
WWII or early post war period commercial life vest probaby for passengers on commercial flights.
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Single chamber, blue grey rubberized fabric life preserver fitted with an auto-inflation mechanism as well as a top-up tube. Fastens by one webbing tape around the waist and one tie at the front. It looks like a cross between a German Luftwaffe issue vest and a USAAF issue B-5 but is marked Knapp and Monach, St. Louis, USA on the mechanism. No other markings that I can see. Lacks cartridge but in excellent, unused condition.
$40 / £30 / €350 email to secure this item
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
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 US commercial life vest 1940s |
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
 US commercial life vest 1940s |
AAF Back Pack parachute "ripcord" comprising "D" ring and cable with release pins still attached.
Back Pack parachutes were used throughout the war, from 1942 onwards, by both fighter pilots and bomber crews, although they are thought of as somewhate scarce (and are certainly less common than either the seat pack or the clip-on chest pack). This ripcord comprises the D-ring handle with long cable and a series of 4 release pins, all of which are present. The handle is stamped AN 6571-1 with a W in a circle.
£20 / $25 / €24 Click to secure item
 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |
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 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |
 AAF Back pack Parachute ripcord |