Item:
ONSV6203

Original U.S. WWII Douglas C-47 Skytrain Aeronautic First Aid Kit

Item Description

Original Items: Only One Available. This is a rare and nearly complete Aeronautical First-Aid Kit. During WWII all military aircraft carried first aid equipment. In the case of fighter or small bomber aircraft, the Packet, First Aid, Parachute was attached to the parachute webbing of each crew member. On larger aircraft, such as B-17 and B-24 bombers or aircraft carrying paratroopers like the Douglas C-47, one or more larger first aid kits were installed on the aircraft for emergency use. Of particular note is that paratroopers on jump runs were notorious for raiding these first aid kits and liberating Morphine Styrettes and other items.

The Kit, First Aid, Aeronautical (Medical Department Item No. 9776500), was a canvas bag constructed with four lift the dot fastener (LTD) female connectors on its four corners. LTD studs were permanently attached to the aircraft fuselage bulkhead so the First Aid Kit could be easily snapped down or pulled off for use.

The Kit, First Aid, Aeronautical was issued in a series of patterns. Early in World War II the kit was made of khaki canvas, had a zipper around three sides to fully open the kit, and was marked with a red cross on the left front plus the nomenclature, "Kit, First Aid, Aeronautic, US" in block letters to the right front . A later pattern, shown in the large photos above and below this section, was of olive drab canvas, with the full zipper, marked only with "Medical Department, USA" in black block letters. A third pattern, believed to be the earliest one, was also khaki canvas, with a horizontal zipper that separated a smaller top compartment from a larger bottom compartment, not the three sided, full opening zipper of the others. Some models, such as this example, had a fabric carrying strap for use when dismounted from the wall.

Inside the bag of the Kit, First Aid, Aeronautical, the contents were held in divided compartments. The arrangement differed in the three patterns but all had multiple dividers for the contents packages plus a sleeve to store the instruments.

Like other first aid kits of the World War II period, the contents of the aircraft first aid kit varied as supplies and technology changed. Typical contents would include all or part of this list:

- Bandages & dressings: Carlisle dressings, cotton, gauze, adhesive bandages, triangular bandage, eye dressing unit.
- Medical supplies: sulfadiazine & sulfanilamide packages, amyl nitrate vials, morphine tartrate syrette, iodine applicators & bottle, halazone tablets, burn injury set.
- Medical implements: scalpel, blunt scissors, fever thermometer, tourniquet belt with buckle.

This kit features a canvas Case with two pockets and 4 lift the dot snaps offered in very good condition. Inside are dressings, tweezers, scissors, and much more, please see photos for details. There is some damage to the canvas bag, the stitching has come undone by the zipper and there is a tear along the top by the carry handle.

Idiot Clause - the contents of this kit are pre-1945 manufacture and are NOT suitable for use. They are being sold as novelty collector pieces only.

  • This product is available for international shipping.
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