US Army Air Force

Flak jackets

Original caption: “Following the experience of the Royal Air Force, the Air Corps began issuing flak jackets to aircrews in 1942. These early flak jackets were heavy, consisting of steel plates sown into multi-layered nylon that would catch low velocity fragments. An apron panel was added to increase the protected areas. The vest and apron design was supplemented by a helmet to complete the protection. The heavy protection vest had a pull tab to dump it quickly if the plane ditched in the water or the crew had to bail out.The World War II Air Corps body armor was used by flexible position gunners in four-engine bombers like B-17s and B-24s and by aicrews in medium bombers like the B-26 and B-25.” In the photo, an airman jettisons front and rear body armor by use of the quick release fastener and ripcord.