New Made Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WW2 era type seat parachute model type AN-6514. The seat parachute was ideally suited for fighter pilots, but not for aircrew who required freedom to move, such as on large bomber aircraft. The improved designs of the newest chest and back type parachutes quickly rendered the seat type obsolete. As soon as the Quick Attachable Chest (QAC) and back types became available, the old seat types would be exchanged and returned to stock. Consequently, when production of seat parachutes ceased in late 1943, the surplus stocks lasted to the end of the war. By July 1943, AAF stocks boasted an excess stock of 104,478 seat parachutes assemblies.
This AN-6510 parachute was “manufactured” in March 1940 by the Eagle Parachute Corps in Lancaster PA.
This is only the harness, seat and rigging, there is no canopy included. In place of the canopy is thick foam and fabric to give it a “packed” look for displaying purposes. The bag, back rigging, “seat” and canopy bag are all in beautiful condition, made to look like it was just issued. All buckles and snaps present are still in working condition, as well as the thick white harness/rigging and all the stitching.
There are still stamps highly visible on the outside of the canopy bag:
U.S. NAVY PARACHUTE
28 ft. Troop Typ-AN 6514
mfg by
EAGLE PARACHUTE CORP
LANCASTER, PENNA
On the opposite side of the canopy bag:
VMJ - 1
This is a wonderful opportunity to add a fighter pilot seat parachute to your collection at a fraction of the cost! Comes ready to display!
Fighter Pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat). A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.
Fighter pilots are one of the most highly regarded and desirable positions of any air force. Selection processes only accept the elite out of all the potential candidates. An individual who possesses an exceptional academic record, physical fitness, healthy well-being, and a strong mental drive will have a higher chance of being selected for pilot training. Candidates are also expected to exhibit strong leadership and teamwork abilities. As such, in nearly all air forces, fighter pilots, as are pilots of most other aircraft, are commissioned officers.
Richard Bong
Richard "Dick" Ira Bong (September 24, 1920 – August 6, 1945) was a United States Army Air Forces major and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. He was one of the most decorated American fighter pilots and the country's top flying ace in the war, credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft, all with the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. He died in California while testing a Lockheed P-80 jet fighter shortly before the war ended. Bong was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1986 and has several commemorative monuments named in his honor around the world, including a recreation area, a neighborhood terrace, a theater, a veterans historical center, an airport, two bridges, and several avenues and streets, including the street leading to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
