Anyone know a good source of info on post-war RAF life preservers? I have a few variants of the Mk 4 to 9 Frankenstein and later Beaufort series but know very little about how they were used and what went in the pockets. Were there standard accoutrements or did they vary depending on user?
I’d like to know a lot more about the evolution of the life preserver in RAF and RN use and the accompanying survival gear – seems to be very little available (or is it just me failing to find the right sources!!). Any ex-users of this equipment that can advise?
Help much appreciated…….
By: bananasplits - 29th June 2011 at 20:33
Mae West`s
Hi
There is a data base at Hendon and if you tell them what you are looking for they can look up the relevant AP`s that you require.There is no list of AP`s as such.
The thing to remember with AP`s is that they were a working reference and as items were updated the old AP`s were deleted and so it`s amazing that any of the old ones survived at all.
They have lots of AP`s on all sorts of things(i know because when i worked there i was responsible for catalogeing the AP`s)but they even have AP`s which have not been accessioned into the collection and therefore cannot be viewed by the public.One that springs to mind was a whole volume on gunsights.
If you only require a small amount of information you can email them and they can photocopy it for you(for a small charge)but if you want a lot of information then a visit is worth the trouble as you can look at a lot more stuff.
I have lots of copies of AP`s but unfortunately for you they are all on WW2 flying clothing and equipment.
Good luck with your search,from memory i`m sure they have what you require.
BS:D
By: abadonna - 29th June 2011 at 18:53
AP.1182E Vol.1 Flying Clothing and Survival Equipment.
I have a copy of a copy, but it’s early 1950s so only covers Life Jackets Mks 2 & 3
By: RNickR - 29th June 2011 at 17:34
Many thanks to Bananasplits and Flying Saucer. I’ll get in touch with Hendon. Don’t suppose you’ve any idea which APs cover post war clothing? I have a few copies of the AP Flying volumes and have always assumed there were equivalent ones on aircrew gear but have never seen any, despite looking in aerojumbles etc. I guess someone must have a list of all the APs produced and what they covered?
Meanwhile will have a go at trying to photo some of the jackets!
By: FLYING SAUCER - 25th June 2011 at 17:07
Hi there, yes Bananasplits is right, Hendon may be able to help.
Most of the info I have picked up is mainly by using common sense of what goes in which pockets, Heliograph, Whistle, SARAH/SARBE/PYe Beacon pockets, Miniflare in the later jackets.
No decent literature on it really just dribs and drabs of info. If you want to PM me with a picture I may be able to answer a question?
By: bananasplits - 25th June 2011 at 16:32
Mae West
Hi
If you contact Hendon`s research department they will have AP`s on the Mae West`s you are interested in.If it`s a lot of information you require a pre-arranged visit would be the best idea.:D
Sign In
June 21, 2011 at 1:13 pm