Item Description
Original Item. Only One Set Available. The F-1 Electrically Heated Flying Suit, also known as the 'Blue Bunny' suit, was standardised on 4 April 1941. Worn under the standard winter flying suits, it was plugged into the aircraft's electrical system and could be connected to electrically heated boots and gloves. Issue of the suit was restricted to B-17 bomber crews, the only bombers with a 24-volt electrical system at the time, with priority given to crewmen in more exposed positions such as tail and ball turret gunners. Breakages in the fragile electrical wiring meant the suit often proved to be unreliable, leading to the later development of the multi-piece F-2, F-2A and F-3 electrically heated suits.
The F-1 Electrical blue bunny suit was used by the bomber crew in 1942-1943, in the Bomber Airplanes B-17, B-24, B-25, B-26 etc.
This is a fantastic offering, and a first for us at IMA. This is a fully-complete F-1 Blue Bunny electrically heated flight suit with the original shoes and the Rheostat controls.
The suit retains its original label:
SUIT, PILOTS
CAT. NO. PA16F1
ELECTRICALLY HEATED - 24 VOLTS D.C.
TYPE F-1 - SIZE - 42
SPECIFICATION NO. 94-3112
ORDER NO. W535-AC22818
GENERAL ELECTRIC
100686
The interior is also stenciled with the AAF logo. The suit retains the exterior box with wiring connected to an on/off switch, the switch being made by the company Leviton. This then connects to a 6-pronged plug. The suit is missing both of the pieces which were connected to the cuffs.
The set comes with the original and just as scarce electrically heated shoes. The shoes are in stellar condition with the wiring still well-stitched to the exterior. They both retain their tags:
INSERT - ELECTRICALLY HEATED SHOES
G-E CAT, NO. PA17E2
FOR TYPES F-2 AND F-3 ELECTRICALLY
HEATED FLYING SUITS EXTRA LARGE
SPECIFICATION NO. 3159-A
CONTRACT NO. W-33-038AC623(11219)
GENERAL ELECTRIC
PROPERTY - AIR FORCES, U.S. ARMY
The shoes come with their original packaging sleeve with the same information on the label. Technically, these shoes are meant for use with the F-2 and F-3 electrically heated flight suits, but they still display great with this F-1 suit!
Also included is the original Rheostat Type Q-1B which has two outlets and a still-working knob. It was made by the Joleco Corporation.
A fantastic set, the first we’ve ever offered. Comes ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
