This site is dedicated to all collectors and aviation enthusiasts who want to know more about the C-1 Sustenance / Survival Vest of W.W. II This site will have more information updates as time allows! I have created this site to help collectors understand the confusing world of the C-1 vest components, and to show what items were included. This way collectors both old and new will have more information to help aid in thier quest of a complete vest!

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In June of 1943, the AAF began work on a new and unique survival kit in form of a wearable vest. By December, 1943 3,000 vests designated as 'Vest Emergency Kit, TYPE C-1" were procured for combat and field testing by the Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh, Fourteenth Air Forces, and The Air Transport Command. Early testing was also conducted in Florida from January to June 1944. The vests were covered by Specification 3206, established on January 11, 1944, and was standardized on May 3, 1944. By December 1944, 200,000 Type C-1 vests were on order with 16,000 units already delivered. The vest weighed 11 pounds with all components, it was designated to replace the parachute back-pad and seat-pad kits. It was also intended for use with the Type C-2 life raft, and the components were designated to integrate well. Later in the war the B-5 Kit was being developed for use with the C-1 vest, but was only in the test stage and was never procured. The upper chest pockets were slanted outward on the prototype and 1st variation vests, these vests had button pockets. The prototype & 1st variation vests did not have pocket #16 for the insect repellent. This was added on the 2nd variation (slant Pocket), and 3rd variation vests! The 3rd variation vests had upright pockets, with snaps to secure. There were six different manufactures, with one sub contractor,( RELIANCE MFG. CO.) producing the C-1 vests under eighteen contracts. This kit was the first to include an illustrated instruction booklet. These vests were used in WWII and the Korean war! The vests used in Korea were used by the Air Force, Navy, & the USMC. A fellow C-1 collector Al Clarkson had one issued to him in the Air Force in 1955. Some vests were reportedly used in the early stages of Vietnam! The completion of this kit is the dream of many of todays collectors! The use of this vest is shown in the movie, Men of the Fighting Lady, a wounded Navy pilot is shown using the medical kit!

During the early testing there were some problems found with some of the components such as: A C-1 vest that was taken into a Florida swamp for testing, none of the matches in the waterproof container would light, because the antifreeze fluid from the compass in the match containers lid had leaked into the match compartment below. Two other difficulties arose in connection with the use of the test vest. First: that of getting various items back into the proper pockets or into the plastic boxes out of which they have been taken. Second: that of wearing it under heavy equipment such as flyer's armor (flak vest), etc. Pending the production of a standard case in which the kit can be carried, it is suggested that the standard Musette Bag can be used. Keep items in the proper pockets if possible, and keep the flaps buttoned shut. Items which will not go into the pockets from which they came (such as a half empty, wet box of .45 shot cartridges) will have to be put into another pocket of the vest or into a pants pocket.

In the sping of 1945, A 'streamlined' configuration was authorized to include:

rations - 1 can, fishing kit, first aid kit, flares, fire starting equiment, cartridges, water bag, and mirror. Some vests were sent empty to base depots, and personel equipment officers were in charge of determining what items the vests would have in them. Other vests were sent to depots partially assembled, this may partially explain several C-1 vests that have different pocket configurations! Some C-1 vests were sent full and complete! Some early 1st and 2nd variation vests may have later version components, this was because of manufactures using available stocks. Such as a 1st variation vest with pockets still sealed had a late version matchcase compass, 2nd version survival manual, and 2nd version fishing kit. Because the AAF were still using the previous kits, numerous items made especially for the C-1 vests found there way into the earlyer B-2 and B-4 kits, most notably, match cases, mosquito headnets, parachute rations, small scout knifes, fusse flares, first aid kits, sharpening stones, blader canteens, fishing kit/sewing kits, .45 cal shot ammo, & folding sun goggles. Some vests were issued to crewmembers at time of departure, while others were issued to crewmembers permanently. In India some vests issued to B-29 crewmen contained a Pointe Talkie, "native language booklet", paper blood chits without serial numbers, mostly printed in India, rayon cloth maps, Chinese paper money, and on the front of the vests, on both sides of the opening, were sewn two rows of arround forty Indian one rupee silver coins. These vests were always turned in after a flight, along with the .45 pistol. Another item that was used was a vinyl pouch containing a folded map, a small escape and evasion compass, and a small metal saw blade. In some cases components were mysteriously disapearing from the vests. Complete inspected vests had the pockets sewn shut with red or black thread, or metal wire, the threads, or wires were then sealed with an AAF marked, or unmarked seal, this was to insure that the componets were not tampered with. I believe that Breslee Co. made the first production vests! This might explain the contract numbering system used! (Example) BRESLEE MFG. CO. 44-5039E, early production vest! AC-5411 1st variation slant pocket, AC-5413 2nd variation slant pocket, AC-6639 3rd variation snap pocket. Most vests were marked VEST EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE TYPE C-1 SPECIFICATION NO. 3206 ORDER NO. (33-038) or (W33-038) follwed by the contract number!

MANUFACTURES:                          Contract Numbers:

AIRCRAFT APPLIANCE CO.            AC-4198        AC5415          AC-6679

BRESLEE MFG. CO.                           44-5039E       45-5411          AC-4221      AC-5413     AC-6639

CAPPEL-MacDONALD & CO.          45-038           AC-45-412      AC-4222      AC-5414

LITE MANUFACTURING CO.          45-2316          45-5128           45-5450

SEARS & ROEBUCK CO.                 AC-5411

RELIANCE MFG. CO.                       AC-6640

W.L.M.CLARK  INC.                         AC-6680