Query for combat pilots of WW2

b17sam · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:27 am

Can any of you guys recall if you wore seat pack or chest pack or back pack parachutes on your missions? Thank you.

Mudge · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:40 am

Needless to say, I wasn't one of those heroes, but I've never seen anything but seat pack.

Mudge the observant

ps. Kinda' dealing with a severely limited knowledge pool, huh?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:13 pm

The USN/USMC used the seat pack while the AAF (at least in the ETO and the 7th AF) used the back pack (I'm fairly sure).

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:25 pm

This should clear it up.............

Capt Vance Ludwig with a seat pack

Capt Gene O'Neill with as back pack

Lt Don Beerbower with a seat pack

Capt Ken Dahlberg with a back pack

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:35 pm

Sam,
A friend from a B-24 squadron told me that the pilot, co-pilot, tail gunner, and bombardier were authorized back pack parachutes in his squadron. 14th Liaison Squadron L-5 pilots wore the seat pack and back pack chute.

V1VRV2 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:20 pm

My Dad (15th AF, B-24 AC) and my uncle (8th AF, B-17 FO) used chest packs. Never actually wore them, but wore the harness that the chutes attached to. Clipped on when needed.
Rob

b17sam · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:56 pm

Thanks for the replies. Judging by the evidence supplied, it seems a safe bet that most of the fighter pilots wore back packs. How about bomber pilots? I asked my old buddy pilot and he could not recall exactly. Can you help us?

n5151ts · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:04 am

but then I only flew jets and missed WWII by quite a few years! :roll:

Dan Johnson II · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 1:49 am **Posts:** 659

The B24 crew from the 454th BG that I researched forever, used chest packs. The memories of the survivors of having to grab them and get them buckled on as their 24 went down were quite vivid.

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:47 am

Fighter pilots...Seat and Back type chutes for sure.
Depended upon individual preference.
Jerry

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:56 am

b17sam wrote:

How about bomber pilots? I asked my old buddy pilot and he could not recall exactly. Can you help us?

Have you seen this page Sam? This fella seems dedicated to preserving the memories..quite obsessed
with recording the minutae in detail...
www.303rdbg.com/uniforms-gear.html

Of what info's not present...I gather he'd be eager to discuss the details with a Vet such
as yourself..

bipe215 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:20 am

Sam,

My Dad flew B-17's in the 483rd and said they wore harnesses for chest packs. Kept the chute under their seat. Had to be careful because there was an inverter under the co-pilot's seat that would melt silk if you weren't careful.

Steve G

Swiss Mustangs · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:24 am

some movie stills....

backback parachute and seating cushion.... pilot of the 339th FG 504th FG stepping out of the a/c after a mission

the a/c is 44-11235 5Q-P "The PSH Bwanger" - meaning of this name is yet to be determined....

here a full view of the noseart.... comments welcome

Martin

drgondog · **Joined:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 10:50 am **Posts:** 237

Martin - I think that is a dingy pack. A rather hard seat for a long ride.

Regards,

Bill

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Query for combat pilots of WW2

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