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B4 Garment bag

Gene

Practically Family
Messages
963
Location
New Orleans, La.
I got mine at a militaria show in Louisville last year. Unfortunately, no one repros them as far as I know (they should!) and I suppose they pop up on ebay and on militaria forums from time to time. There is a website called Omaha's that sells the Air Force B4-B bags, but they are blue and all postwar.

Gene
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
Can't quite tell from the photo on their site, but Eastman do a USAAF garment bag repro.... they don't use the B4 terminology, so I'm not sure if it's the same thing you're after. It looks to be more like a holdall, though, than the B4 images that turn up on Google:

Kitbag.jpg


No shoulder strap, either.
 

Gene

Practically Family
Messages
963
Location
New Orleans, La.
Edward,

That's actually the AN6505-1 bag, used by aircrews as a carry-all. The B4 bag is called the "two-suiter," and has a leather strap and reinforcements and a heavy canvas outer with a couple of pockets.

Looks like this:

B4_Bag_a.jpg
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
Gene said:
Edward,

That's actually the AN6505-1 bag, used by aircrews as a carry-all. The B4 bag is called the "two-suiter," and has a leather strap and reinforcements and a heavy canvas outer with a couple of pockets.

Looks like this:

B4_Bag_a.jpg

Ah! Thanks, yes, I see the difference now. MM, those photos of it open are intriguing.... I could see a repro being a wonderfully practical thing, especially if it could go as carry-on luggage (and I didn't require anything more to hand). I presume it was intended for the use of an officer who might require to carry both mess dress and combat wear, while travelling in dress uniform (or some such mix)?
 

Treetopflyer

Practically Family
Messages
674
Location
Patuxent River, MD
I want one!

I have seen old salty Marines with these. They were issued to them back in the 1980’s. I would love to find one. They seem so very well built. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a useable one anywhere. If I do find one at a surplus store it is beyond repair. Would love to find a repro or original in good shape.
 

Phantomfixer

Practically Family
Messages
819
Location
Mid East coast USA
Treetop,

The Dover Army Navy store located in Dover DE has them stacked like cordwood. They are the B-4B current issue bag same design as the WWII but different materials used. They even have have a few blue ones. The blue ones are cool , they could very well fit it nicely with a 1950s aircrew impression. But they aren't from the 50's. Most were made sometime in the 80s. Dover Army navy has a web site: http://www.doverarmynavy.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=145
Email them see if they can hook you up. Again not WWII but they are USAF issue. Some are dated from the 60s. They are a heavy canvas not nylon like the new ones. Hope this helps
JZ
 

Phantomfixer

Practically Family
Messages
819
Location
Mid East coast USA
Great hope she finds a nice one for you. They are on the second floor in the "museum" area. The second floor is what an Army Navy should look like. Tons and tons of uniforms and field gear from WWII to current issue. It doesn't hurt that Dover is an Air Force town.
 

Phantomfixer

Practically Family
Messages
819
Location
Mid East coast USA
I would not pay 40 for a new issue B-4B. A B-4 with the Hap Arnold star on the top strap and the inner sheet, if all the zippers and snaps work, and clean yes. I would pay 40 dollars. Although my first B-4, I paid only ten dollars for it. It is currently on display at the DAFB Museum.

Edward post some pics of the ones you have for sale : ) who has them? A store/ private individual?
 

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