Type HS-33/HS-38 headset

This headset is based on a HB-7 headband comprising a pair of leather covered spring steel headbands with swivel mountings for the receivers. In this case these are low impedance type ANB-H-1 including a PL-354 plug

Type T-30 throat microphone

A throat microphone works with the vibrations of the larynx (Adam's apple) and needs to be held tightly against the wearer's throat in order to ensure clear voice transmission.

The T-30 was the standard throat microphone of the US Army Air Forces during WWII. It is a carbon microphone, made of black rubber and is anchored around the wearer's neck by an elastic strap.

It was produced in over twenty variations by different manufacturers, those being indicated by a suffix code letter to the type designation, e.g. T-30-S for the Universal Microphone Co. or the T-30-V by Shure Bros.

"Fifty Mission" Crusher

This is actually the standard US Army officer's dress visor cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike. Normally it had stiffeners consisting in a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape and keeping it in its proper, regulation military shape and angle.

Anyway, pilots of large bomber and transport aircraft frequently wore communication headsets over their service caps, rather than a flying helmet. For comfort they would remove the stiffeners and wires, eventually giving the cap a floppy, crushed appearance - and the pilot the look of a seasoned veteran.

The "Fifty Mission" crusher became such a very popular item that several uniform fitters even produced a ready-crushed cap without the stiffening devices. It was intended for pilots and crewmembers wearing flying helmets (especially fighters), who could not legitimately crush their own official service caps

Type A-8B oxygen mask

Manufacturer:                   Ohio Chemical Inc.

Production date:               1942

Order No.:                        AC31474

Drawing No.:                     42G4764

Using the same principles like its short-lived predecessors (A-7, A-8, A-8A), but with a somewhat different appearance, the A-8B continuous flow rebreather mask was introduced in late 1941 to see extensive use during WWII by the USAAF and the USN.

Two diluter valves in the form of sponge rubber discs were fitted into circular housings integrally molded on each side of the mask body. The mask was held in place by an elasticized harness and leather strap.

AN6531-4 Type II "Comfort Cable" sunglasses

Manufacturer:         American Optical Co.

Order No.:              45-5037AF

Specification No.:     AN-G-22

The Type II was very similar to the type I sunglasses, but with an improved protection from bright sunlight and featuring adjustable temples, plus in this case brown lenses.