US Army Air Forces pilots of WW2 were issued the classic \"Mae West\" life preservers. Mae West was a blonde bombshell vaudeville and movie actress of the 1930s, and her famously ample figure prompted American flyers to dub their inflatable vests \"Mae Wests\" in her honor. This US Army AAF WW2 PILOT B-4 \"MAE WEST\" LIFE PRESERVER VEST is in good condition, with a rectangular area of period grayish paint at the upper right front, some cracking to the lower rubber inflation tube at the middle right front, moderate cracking to the lower rubber inflation tube at the middle right back, some light bending to the spring hook \"tab\" of the waist strap, some scattered patina to the metal hardware throughout, and with some overall soiling and age wear evident (most pictured). Otherwise, the vest is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it boasts the originalblack rubber covered mouth inflation tubes,CO2 cartridges, and bottom pull cords, sports the traditional yellow canvas crotch, waist, and neck straps, and is dated \"MAY 18 1943\" in the \"VEST, LIFE PRESERVER, TYPE B-4\" nomenclature stamping at the lower left front. It carries the number \"628\" hand painted in black at the lower middle front, bears three different inspection dates around the front, and is marked with the service number \"W 3279\" at the upper left front. A fine example of a rare, originalUS Army AAF WW2 PILOT B-4 \"MAE WEST\" LIFE PRESERVER VEST. Please note, we offer the vest as a non-functional historical collectible only. We have shown a photo of an AAF pilot in WW2 wearing a similar \"Mae West\" life preserver. Now celebrating over 15 years on . offer with confidence and please view our other great military and aviation classics, includingan extremely rare, original US Air Force USAF Vietnam U-2 SPY PLANE PILOT MA-2 HIGH ALTITUDE FLIGHT HELMETin fair condition,boasting the original ear phones, boom mic, and wiring, and sporting the original form fitting chamois liner.
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