SUNGLASSES
AMERICAN OPTICAL CALOBAR
The sunglasses "Calobar" engraved pouch.
"Calobar" (and "Cosmetan") are trademark registered by American Optical Corporation of Southbridge,Massachusetts.
The sunglasses "Calobar" engraved pouch.
AMERICAN OPTICAL COSMETAN
The sunglasses "Cosmetan" engraved pouch.
The engraved "1/10 12K GF" has strangely been cancelled. The code means that 1/10 of the total weight of the item (eyeglass frames minus lenses, of course) is 12K gold (plated).
Interestingly, the lenses includes straight top segments fused bifocal sectors, suggesting a long pilot career or possibly some "desk flying" use of the sunglasses.
The sunglasses "Cosmetan" engraved pouch.
AMERICAN OPTICAL AN6531/ G-2
Looks that the classic "teardrop" shape of the lenses evolved in order to allow pilots to glance down at their instrument panels without having the obstruction of the tradition-rounded frames impeding their view.
All Swiss Air Force American Optical and Optiswiss sunglasses were fitted with "comfort cable" sidepieces.
Looks that the classic "teardrop" shape of the lenses evolved in order to allow pilots to glance down at their instrument panels without having the obstruction of the tradition-rounded frames impeding their view.
AO OPTISWISS F-343
Standard "comfort cable" type, in use by the Swiss AF well into the 1990's. Inspired by USAAF G-2 sunglasses, produced under licence by AO Optiswiss Company.
F-343 have stronger and heavier frames and bridge compared to the “original” models.
Standard "comfort cable" type, in use by the Swiss AF well into the 1990's. Inspired by USAAF G-2 sunglasses, produced under licence by AO Optiswiss Company.
RANDOLPH HGU-4/P 58mm
The HGU-4/P sunglasses were adopted because they worked much better with newer helmet designs. Those helmets required a sleeker sunglasses design that could fit under the new anti-windblast visors and oxygen masks. Replacing the G-2 models,The HGU-4/P are metal frame sunglasses with plastic tipped temples.
Designed to be compatible with any US oxygen mask and helmet type, the sunglasses conforms to easy donning and removing while wearing headgear because of the straight temple. The straight temple also relieves the pressure behind the ears.
The HGU-4/P sunglasses were adopted because they worked much better with newer helmet designs. Those helmets required a sleeker sunglasses design that could fit under the new anti-windblast visors and oxygen masks. Replacing the G-2 models,The HGU-4/P are metal frame sunglasses with plastic tipped temples.
RANDOLPH HGU-4/P 52mm
The HGU-4/P sunglasses replaced the F-343 by begin of the ’90, with the withdrawal of the H-5 helmet from flight operations.
The HGU-4/P sunglasses replaced the F-343 by begin of the ’90, with the withdrawal of the H-5 helmet from flight operations.