Existing comment:
AN6519-1 Type B4 "Mae West" Life Jacket
Life jackets were standard issue for aircrews flying over water, including bomber crews flying over Europe. Although several designs were adopted during the war, they were collectively known as "Mae Wests" after the iconic American star. The label was credited to flyers of the British Royal Air Force, to whom an amused Mae West wrote, "I have just seen that RAF flyers have a life-saving jacket they call a 'Mae West' because it bulges in all the 'right places.' Well, I consider it a swell honor to have such great guys wrapped up in me, know what I mean?" |