TYPE C (LATE) USAAF 56th FG Lewis V. Bavman P-47D THUNDERBOLT
British type C wired helmet with US A-N 6530 goggles, ANB-H-1 receivers and PL-354 plug. Under the right ear phone is an Air Ministry stamping in leather. The helmet size is 2 (22c/878). This helmet was used by 56th Fighter Group P-47D Thunderbolt pilot Lewis V. Bavman. Bavman was one of the famous Zemke's Wolf Pack flyers in 56th FG during WW2. Any extra info of Bavman is welcome!
A-N 6530 goggles close view. This helmet and goggles are well worn and have sure some combat hours over Germany!
The receivers are Western Electric manufactured ANB-H-1s.
These receivers were often covered with black tape like Col Mayden's early type C helmet on right. Early unwired type C helmets had also an extra strap for the goggles on front.
Type C early helmets were used widely with British G-type oxygen masks by AAF Jug pilots. But most probably Bavman used an US A-14 oxygen mask with his flight helmet.
The interior view. The helmet has Bavman's name wroten under the right ear phone and V.B. initials on the top of the helmet. These wired type C helmets were issued in 1944, while type C early helmets were issued in late 1941. Due the shortage of US items, USAAF pilots used widely British flight gear during the war. This helmet is missing RAF used wirings, because it was used with US wirings.
Rear view with three WW2 era straps for the goggles. Post WW2 type C helmets had five straps on rear.
56th FG pilots with type C late helmet photos HERE !
YouTube Video: P-47 Tribute
REPUBLIC P-47 THUNDERBOLT
P-47 Thunderbolt was know as "Jug". It was a safe and a strong plane, which brought boys back, though the Jug was heavily damaged.
The Jug is the largest and heaviest single-seater piston-engined fighter in history.
This Republic P-47D-40-RA 45-49192 flew in UK 20 years, before it was sold back to States in 2006. The Jug was painted for the colours of Lt Col Ben Mayo's "No Guts no Glory" 226671/MX-M. Lt Col Mayo was the CO of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group based at Duxford during WW2. This Jug has served in Peruvian Air Force during 1953-67. It has been flown in Confederate Air Force too. Aircraft was badly damaged in 1980 but was put back to air later. Some 20 years is an amazing caree in the Fighter Collection service.
Bubble cockpit Jug was replaced with this razorback P-47G! It is painted for the colours of P-47D "Little Demon" flown by 353rd FG, 351st FS ace pilot Major Walter C. Beckham.
At Duxford is this P-47D, which is painted for the colours of 56th FG CO Col Hub Zemke.
Text tells it all!
Colonel Hubert "Hub" Zemke photographed with his Jug on the jacket of the book wroten of Zemke by Roger A. Freeman.
You Tube Video: Jugs in color
You Tube Video: THUNDERBOLT
Great colored YouTube film of 362nd FG in action: HERE!
USAAF P-47 THUNDERBOLT PILOT PHOTOS
(All Photos by JJ Collection)
Unknown USAAF Jug pilot with Type C (late) flight helmet, B-8 goggles and A-14 oxygen mask.
Jug pilot Hughes with similar Type C flight helmet.
F/O Woody 366 with AN-H-15 (A-10) summer flight helmet.
Lt. Weinig with A-11 flight helmet and B-8 goggles.
Unknown pilot with AN-H-15 (A-10) flight helmet and A-N 6530 goggles.
Another unknown Jug pilot with A-11 flight helmet.
Lt. Pierce with A-11 flight helmet and B-8 goggles.
Lt. Powers with A-11 flight helmet, B-8 goggles and A-14 oxygen mask.
I bought all these photos from same eBay source so "366" marked on rear of photos may be meaning 366th Fighter Group which operated with Jugs from RAF Membury and RAF Thruxton.
YouTube P-47 "Music Video": Gun Camera Film