The Luftwaffe kapok fill life vest had excellent floatation properties and could keep a pilot or crew member afloat up to 24 hours. The vest was almost exclusively used by bomber and transport crews because it was too bulky for use in single-seat fighters or dive-bombers. The high-collar helped to keep the wearer's head above water. One unfortunate design aspect of the vest was that the back was more bouyant than the front and had the tendency to roll the wearer face forward in the water.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
Germany
Type
EQUIPMENT-Survival
Physical Description
Luftwaffe life west; 3 panels of 3cm to 4 cm nautural color cotton tubes filled with kapok; panels attached by 2 front and 2 side toggles; high neck; 2 cotton web leg straps.
Dimensions
3-D: 55.9 x 10.2 x 71.1cm (22 x 4 x 28 in.)
Materials
Cotton
Kapok
Wood
Inventory Number
A19770503000
Credit Line
Transferred from the United States Air Force, Park Ridge Facility
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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