{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-type-b-4-mae-west-pneumatic-life-preserver-by-goodyear-tire-rubber-co-dated-may-1943","title":"Original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces Type B-4 “Mae West” Pneumatic Life Preserver by Goodyear Tire \u0026 Rubber Co. - Dated May 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType B-4 pneumatic life preserver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly known as a “Mae West,” manufactured by the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGoodyear Tire \u0026amp; Rubber Company\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 1943\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vest is clearly marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVEST:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLIFE PRESERVER TYPE B-4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSPECIFICATION NO. 3135\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDATE OF MFGR MAY 1943\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eORDER NO. AC-29297\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGOODYEAR TIRE \u0026amp; RUBBER CO.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePROPERTY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the U.S. Army Air Forces version, finished in the characteristic yellow tan color.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe securing straps remain present and functional. They show considerable wear, with some heavy fraying in areas, but are still substantially complete.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe “Mae West” type life preserver traces its development to inventor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeter Markus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Mae West”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e after the famous actress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInflatable 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44904805269573,"sku":"ONSV26MFD026","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26MFD026__01.jpg?v=1776873624","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-type-b-4-mae-west-pneumatic-life-preserver-by-goodyear-tire-rubber-co-dated-may-1943","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}