{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-named-fighter-pilot-an6511-1-parachute-by-national-automotive-fibres-with-rigging","title":"Original U.S. WWII Named Fighter Pilot AN6511-1 Parachute by National Automotive Fibres with Rigging","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an outstanding example of an AN6511-1 parachute manufactured by the National Automotive Fibres during World War II. The parachute is well-secured with its original rigging and is even named. This type of parachute would have been worn by fighter pilots, not paratroopers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe parachute itself retains the data information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN6511-1 PARACHUTE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM’F’D BY NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, Inc.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetroit, Michigan. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGovernment No. 42-488694\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite side has a manufacture date of May 1943. The seat cushion retains its stamped information as well:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA-N PARACHUTE SEAT CUSHION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePART NO. 47565-1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONTRACT NO. W535-AC-25571\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, INC.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDATE OF MFG. APR 9 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back of the cushion is stenciled:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLT. WILLIAM D. BATES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eO-497625\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have been unable to identify \u003cstrong\u003eLt. William D. Bates\u003c\/strong\u003e, making for a worthwhile research project. We did find a Flight Officer William D. Bates who served with the 334th Fighter Squadron and suffered mechanical failure and abandoned A\/C over the North Sea, and died at sea, but as he was only a Flight Officer, we cannot say with certainty that this belonged to him, but there is certainly a chance. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a tremendous set to find in this set, with great research potential! Comes ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43269910921285,"sku":"ONJR25OL0071","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OL0071__08.jpg?v=1754060961","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-named-fighter-pilot-an6511-1-parachute-by-national-automotive-fibres-with-rigging","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}