The John Bannister Collection - D-Day and Militaria
Lot 2278:
Description
This is a quintessential piece of WWII aviation history: a US Army Air Forces Type B-4 life preserver, colloquially known as a “Mae West.” Dated May 9, 1944, this vest was manufactured for the Republic Aviation company—famed producers of the P-47 Thunderbolt—and features the iconic yellow rubberized canvas construction designed for high visibility. It retains its original CO2 inflation trigger mechanism, oral inflation tubes with valves, and heavy-duty webbing straps. The vest displays significant period markings including the inventory/rack number “4520.1.1” and the “YD” unit stencil, which often correlates to specific Air Depots or Service Groups in the European Theater. The heavy dark staining (likely engine oil or hydraulic fluid) provides a “salty,” battle-worn character highly prized by collectors. The item shows expected signs of age and service wear, including surface soiling, oxidation on metal components, and stiffness to the rubberized fabric common in survival gear of this vintage, but the material remains structurally intact. H 27″, W 13″, D 2″. Please see photos.
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