Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces Type B-4 pneumatic life preserver, commonly known as a “Mae West,” manufactured by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and dated May 1943. Inflatable life preservers of this type were essential survival equipment for aircrew operating over water, providing a compact alternative to the bulky cork filled life vests that had preceded them.

The vest is clearly marked:

VEST:
LIFE PRESERVER TYPE B-4
SPECIFICATION NO. 3135
DATE OF MFGR MAY 1943
ORDER NO. AC-29297
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO.
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY

This is the U.S. Army Air Forces version, finished in the characteristic yellow tan color.

The vest retains its original tie down straps, along with both original CO2 inflation valves and their retainers. Both pull cords are still present, although the CO2 cartridges themselves are missing. The inflation hose is also missing, and there is no Life Jacket Dye Marker present.

The securing straps remain present and functional. They show considerable wear, with some heavy fraying in areas, but are still substantially complete.

Condition is good for display, although the rubberized material shows areas of heavy degradation from age. As with any original inflatable life preserver of this period, it should be regarded as a historical display piece rather than functional safety equipment.

The “Mae West” type life preserver traces its development to inventor Peter Markus, who patented an inflatable vest design in the late 1920s. His concept used rubberized fabric and inflatable air chambers to create a lightweight life preserver that was far less restrictive than the cork filled designs then commonly available.

The vest was inflated by pulling cords connected to CO2 cartridges, which rapidly filled the air chambers. Once inflated, the prominent front chambers gave the wearer a noticeably full chested appearance, leading servicemen to nickname the vest the “Mae West” after the famous actress.

The U.S. military recognized the usefulness of the design before WWII, particularly for aviators and naval personnel operating over water. Bright yellow or yellow gold material was adopted because it was easier for rescue crews to see from the air or from ships.

Inflatable life preservers proved their value in aviation and naval service well before America entered WWII and became standard survival equipment for many wartime aircrews. During WWII, versions of the Mae West were used by U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Navy, and Allied personnel, including members of the Royal Air Force.

The Type B-4 became one of the recognizable pieces of U.S. Army Air Forces flight equipment of the period, worn by aircrew over or alongside their flight clothing when operating on missions where a ditching or bailout over water was possible.

This example is especially appealing because it retains a strong manufacturer label, May 1943 date, original inflation valves, pull cords, and its securing straps. Despite the missing hose, cartridges, dye marker, and areas of rubber deterioration, it remains a very representative example of one of the most important pieces of emergency survival equipment carried by WWII American airmen.