Barrel shaped, thus probably Group 2, QAC parachute container. This specimen is lacking the yellow color, so most probably it has never been issued.

Stenciled data on the parachute container with manufacturer's name and production date.

QAC ripcord handle. Pulling the ripcord handle would exit the locking pins and the bungee cords would support the opening of the container allowing the parachute to deploy properly.

This gunner is wearing a summer flying suit (identical to Type A-4, but not AAF issue) under an unlabelled "mystery" flying jacket (similar to the B-6), GI shoes, army wool gloves and socks, M3 flak helmet over a Type B-6 winter flying helmet, AN-6530 flying goggles, Type A-10A oxygen mask, Type B-3 life preserver, M1 flak vest and a chest parachute harness with back pad. QAC (Quick Attachable Chest) parachute, gunner's safety belt, a Type AN-6020 portable oxygen unit and an H-1 bailout unit complete the outfit.

Backside of the QAC container showing the bungee cords and the sewn-on canvas pocket containing the parachute log.

Quick Attachable Chest parachutes were mostly used by aircrew like gunners, navigators and observers, who had to stand or walk around while fulfilling their combat duties. The idea behind was that these crew wearing only the harness could move freely and in case of need would grab the parachute, attach it to their harness and bail out.

War experience showed quickly, though, that even with the parachute pack stored at or near the crew position, time was often too short when the aircraft had to be evacuated immediately, i.e. in the event of a fatal hit, brake up or bursting into flame. In some cases aircrew might have worn these QAC's during combat, e.g. attaching the chest pack by one ring while pulling the flak vest aside – quite an awkward operation.

Portable, walk-around oxygen equipment, Type AN-6020. This combination consists of a Type A-4 low pressure cylinder and a Type AN-6022-1 demand regulator. The latter being standardized on February 2,1943, it was intended for use only with portable O2 cylinders and replaced the almost identical type A-13 regulator, standardized on November 12, 1941.

Oil and grease are an absolute no-go item with oxygen systems and this "explosive" fact is emphasized by the sticker on the bottle.

The Type AN-6022-1 (like the A-13) regulator is equipped with a spout for refilling the oxygen cylinder from the walk-around recharger assembly at the oxygen station in the aircraft. The low capacity of the Type A-4 cylinder called for frequent replenishing as the duration of its oxygen supply could be reduced down to four minutes if the user was engaged in strenuous activity.

In a multi-place aircraft a walk-around unit was located at each crew position. This small assembly required no sling because it could be attached to the clothing or parachute harness by means of a clip on the back of the regulator.

The Type B-6 winter flying helmet was standardized on December 15, 1941. Constructed of shearling with a brown finish and including earphones it was originally made with hooks to attach the Type A-9 oxygen mask. With the arrival of the A-10 mask series in 1942 it was now manufactured with snap attachments, with many early B-6's being modified to this new standard.

 After the serious problems (leaking, freezing, poor fit, discomfort…) encountered with the first US demand oxygen mask types (A-9, A-10, A-10R), further development lead to the Type A-10A, adopted as substitute standard on October 15, 1943 - at a time when the Type A-14 was already standardized and entering production.

The A-10A had a differently shaped rubber face piece, an integrally constructed microphone pocket and a two-point suspension system. Still, the mask suffered from problems like freezing of breath moisture partially blocking the oxygen inlet ports. Even after the introduction of baffle flaps frost formation remained a problem.

Preserver, Pneumatic, Life Vest, Type B-3. This type of Mae West, standardized on January 8, 1936, was the first pneumatic life preserver issued to USAAC flight crews and consists of a double compartment cotton fabric outer casing, enclosing two separate latex rubber air cells. It saw use until the end of WWII and is easily distinguishable from the type B-4 by its square leather patch in front.

Buoyancy, provided in the ring around the neck and to the chest area, is obtained by pulling two cords attached to carbon dioxide cylinders, one for each compartment. These CO2 cartridges had to be checked frequently for broken seals or punctured caps.

Clip and ring of the waist strap. Note the different shape of the D-ring compared to the Type B-4 vest.

Two separate mouth inflation tubes are provided, one for each compartment. These were use in case of failure of the CO2 cylinders, when the vest was not inflated properly or for checking the vest for leaks.

Stenciled manufacturing data on the lower left front of the vest.

Shortly after the beginning of WWII it became apparent that the few manufacturers of the Type B-3 would not be able to meet the increased demand. This type of Mae West was using a considerable amount of natural rubber. As there was a potential shortage of these resources to be considered, the Type B-4 was adopted, this new model using less rubber.

While early Type AN-6530 goggles (standardized in 1943) were a minor variation of the Type B-7 goggles (standardized on May 3, 1933), the specimen worn by this gunner are of the improved later model. The AN-6530 shown here are equipped with a one-piece, chamois backed rubber cushion and streamlined ventilators. These features, introduced during 1943 and 1944, improved comfort, protection and facilitated mass production. Several types of clear and tinted tempered-glass lenses were available for this type of goggles.

 The Flyer's Helmet, M3, standardized in December 1943, featured an adjustable head suspension and hinged earflaps. Basically a modified M1 helmet with a cut-away on each side to provide clearance for the earphones the flak helmet was worn over standard leather or cloth flying helmets. Made of manganese steel it weighed a little more than 3 lbs. and was painted olive drab with a coat of "flock", preventing bare skin from freezing to it at extremely low temperatures encountered at high altitudes.

The Armor, Flyer's Vest, M1 was adopted as standard on October 5, 1943. Consisting of a front and a back portion it was constructed of overlapping 2 in. square steel plates of 1mm thickness, secured in pockets attached to nylon fabric backing. Worn by crew members who had to stand or move around during combat duties, it provided adequate front and back protection against flak. While it also prevented/reduced injury from shrapnel from exploding aircraft cannon fire, it was by no means "bullet proof".

Label on the Type M-1 flak vest.

Quick-release dot fasteners at the shoulders. These connected the front and the back armor and allowed a quick donning and removal of the vest.

The waist belts connecting the front and back protection were fixed by quick-release dot fasteners. Pulling the red strap allowed fast disconnection – even with awkward gunner's mittens.

Quick-release dot fasteners at the shoulder. Pulling the strap out- and downwards released the fasteners and disconnected the front from the back armor.

Stencil on the front portion of the armored vest, indicating a weight of approximately 3.23 kilograms.

Stencil on the back portion of the flak vest, indicating a weight of approximately 4.65 kilograms.

The Type H-1 Emergency Oxygen Cylinder Assembly, aka "bailout bottle", was standardized on October 2, 1941. The high pressure steel cylinder, here contained in a fabric sheath, is strapped to the thigh. Our gunner might improve security in case of a bailout by drawing the upper strap of the sheath through the parachute harness. The H-1 being designed for bailout above 30,000 feet, the wearer could retain his oxygen mask for protecting his face while inserting the pipe stem under the chin margin into his mouth. One of the deficiencies of the H-1 reported from he field was an inadequate initial oxygen-flow rate which could cause anoxia at high altitudes.

The Type H-1 bailout bottle in its fabric sheath with attachment straps. Interestingly, those containers were marked with "U.S. Air Force", although reportedly being of definite WWII issue. The sheath has two compartments; one for the oxygen cylinder and one for the rubber tube and stempipe.

Detail of the manually operated valve.

High pressure gauge of the H-1 unit. Once empty, there was no provision for a refill in flight. Note the "use no oil" warning.