Life Preserver, 1941 Pattern, Royal Air Force, A♔M, Mae West, Medium, 1944

Great genuine WWII British Pattern 1941 life preserver, intended for Royal Air Force pilots and aircrews.

Adopted in July 1941 to supersede the 1932 Pattern, this type was also issued to the Fleet Air Arm and some 8th US Air Force aviators.

This is the second version, introduced in the summer of 1943, featuring a pair of strong canvas grab handles fitted to the front, and a double pocket on the right-hand side which allowed the wearer to carry a flotation lamp and its battery — not provided here.

Size: Medium.

Quite good, worn condition; retains its original inflatable bladder (22C/72, tested in October 1944) and both kapok buoyancy pads, showing nice Air Ministry markings; CO₂ cylinder and lever assembly is missing; the oral inflation tube, made of a rubber hose with mouthpiece, is damaged yet still present in the inner pocket; lower straps have been cut off, following a common wartime habit; the Lightning zipper is in working order.

All in all, an interesing 'Mae West' life jacket, representative of the 2nd Tactical Air Force airman's figure in the Battle of Normandy.