Bomber crewman preparing his K-20 aerial camera. He's wearing a B-15 jacket, Type A-11A trousers, B-6A flying boots, an M4A2 flak helmet over an AN-H-15 helmet, variable density goggles, a B-4 life vest, an A-14 oxygen mask, a Pioneer (similar type B-8) back parachute and army wool gloves.

 The B-15/A-11 (B-15A/A-11A) combination was defined as "intermediate" flying clothing according to official AAF nomenclature, with a main functional thermal range between -10°C and +10°C. It was, however, under certain circumstances considered suitable for temperatures down to -20°C.

It was made of water-resistant olive drab cotton with alpaca lining and was designed for comfort, freedom of movement and easy donning and removal.

The AN-H-15 cloth summer helmet, here worn underneath the M4A2 flak helmet, became standard April 23, 1943, replacing the Type A-9. Made of khaki cloth, it featured rubber receptacles for the ANB-H-1 earphones and was to be used by army and navy pilots alike.

"Mae West", Preserver, Pneumatic, Life Vest Type B-4.

The B-4, standardized on May 6, 1942, was made of two superimposed yellow rubberized fabric compartments without a separate internal bladder.

In case of need it could be inflated by a CO2 cartridge or by mouth using rubber filler hoses and can be externally distinguished from the B-3 by not having a leather square sewn to the front. It sports a square canvas reinforcement patch, instead. Being rather stiff, thus less comfortable to wear than the Type B-3, it was considerably simpler to produce, though.

The B-4 has two inflating tubes, one in the front and one in the back, i.e. one for each compartment. These were used in case of failure of the CO2 cartridges, when the vest was not inflated satisfactorily or leaking or for inspections checking the vest for leaks.

In order to operate the camera, this gunner/photographer is wearing thin army wool gloves instead of the much bulkier gunner's mittens normally worn at low temperatures.

Footwear are a pair of A-6A winter flying shoes. These consist of a rubber foot unit with a non-skid rubber sole and a waterproofed leather upper. Two leather straps are furnished to prevent losing the shoe in the event of a bailout.

The cloth covered M4A2 flak helmet was standardized in June 1944 and weighed 2 lbs 12 oz (1,244 kg). It was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the M3, in being lighter, more compact, easier to produce and featuring greater ease of donning and removing. Being less bulky it was initially designed for gunners and radio operators and proved very effective against flak fragments.

Printed label information on the lower left front of the B-4.

Attachment ring and clip on the waist strap of the B-4 life vest.

The K-20 lightweight handheld aerial camera saw widespread use in WWII. Designed by Fairchild for oblique low altitude photos, approximately 15,000 were manufactured under license. It used roll film with an image size of approx. 10cm x 13cm (4x5 inches) and was equipped with a high speed shutter. It featured a handle grip on the left side and a charging handle/trigger on the right. A flip-up glass with crosshairs served as "aiming device".

The type A-11 flying trousers, standardized on April 7, 1944, were equipped with a pocket for storage of bailout bottles. The improved A-11A version shown here, standardized on November 4, 1944 had this pocket moved up and introduced an additional pocket to contain the bailout oxygen hose in a coiled position.