US Korean War Air Force Survival Sleeping Bag M1949 Vacuum Packed Jan 1952
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:76843 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
US KOREAN WAR, AIRFORCE, EMERGENCY SLEEPING BAG , VACUUM SEALED IN TIN CAN, M1949 MOUNTAIN BAGNEW OLD STOCK, WITH EXTREMELY DENTED CONTAINER FROM DECADES OF POOR GOVT STORAGE. MISSING STRIP KEY... NOMENCLATURE IS SCUFFED AND SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO READ, BUT APPEARED TO BE JANUARY 1952 . SEE ALL 9 PHOTOS! PLEASE NOTE: LAST PICTURE IS SHOWN FOR EXAMPLE ONLY. During the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force issued sleeping bags in “spam cans”—steel cans opene...d with a metal key. Unintentionally silly by today’s standards, it was part of a serious effort to keep crashed or shot-down airmen alive in cold regions until they were rescued. Faint Contract # beginning with letters - AF - indicates the bag was part of a US Air Force Contract. The contract number is difficult to run down but it appears the sleeping bag was part of a contract from the early 1950's era F-84F Thunderstreak jet fighters. That makes sense since the bag, sealed in a can, is clearly meant to be used only in emergencies.
