WEAPONS and ARMAMENT
It is well known that the tools and instruments of war are at the forefront when it comes to the images and thoughts of militarism and is the bottom line of military function. When all means fail to negotiate and compromise for a neutral solution, the government calls in the military, whether it is defensive actions or offensive. This research project is not to glorify weapons or their use, only to present what was recovered from a war machine such as the B-17, in particular Bull Session. Everyone knows she was designed for such a purpose and is the animal it is. Sacred respect is given to the families and thoughts go out to the crews as it is a fact that the crew used some of the equipment items.
Above, The armored seat backing, flak vests, and flak helmets of Bull Session in the 385th Bomb Group Memorial Museum.
The M-3 Flak Helmet. This
variant had no ear protection.
No liner was with it, but the
the inner ring is visible.
Although damaged, this helmet has ear protective covers and what remains of the liner band. Neither helmet had any personal markings to indicate any particular user.
The concept and beginnings of the US flak vest as we know it extend from Col (later Maj Gen) Dr. Malcolm Grow, Eighth Air Force Surgeon General, who saved many lives by developing body armor for USAAF bomber crewmen. After the war, he became the US Air Force’s first Surgeon General.
USAAF Armor,
Flyer's Vest M-2
Crawford Manufacturing Co. Inc.
A/c 43-38911, Bull Session
Found 2021
USAAF Armor, Flyer's Vest
M-2/M-3 Apron
Crawford Manufacturing Co. Inc.
A/c 43-38911, Bull Session
Found 2021,
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Restoration of the upper and lower vest halves was a puzzling process. With the four flak vests, it was a month-long marathon of cleaning every 600+ flak plates made of manganese steel. The tricky part was putting the plates back onto the vest in the correct order as they overlap in two detentions, horizontally and vertically. There are next to no photos of the inner layout of the vest to be found, it's a good thing to take digital photos to fall back on. The backside of the vest also has a green cotton backing, but none of this was present anymore due to time and rotting away. The front remains in original condition as it is made of a nylon-based material, the vest is truly the forefather of the Kevlar.
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To the left are what appears to be the shoulder pads for the vest.
