Original U.S. WWII Named Fighter Pilot AN6511-1 Parachute by National Automotive Fibres with Rigging

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an outstanding example of an AN6511-1 parachute manufactured by the National Automotive Fibres during World War II. The parachute is well-secured with its original rigging and is even named. This type of parachute would have been worn by fighter pilots, not paratroopers.

The parachute itself retains the data information:

AN6511-1 PARACHUTE
M’F’D BY NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, Inc.
Detroit, Michigan. 
Government No. 42-488694

The opposite side has a manufacture date of May 1943. The seat cushion retains its stamped information as well:

A-N PARACHUTE SEAT CUSHION
PART NO. 47565-1
CONTRACT NO. W535-AC-25571
NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, INC.
DATE OF MFG. APR 9 1943

The back of the cushion is stenciled:

LT. WILLIAM D. BATES
O-497625

We have been unable to identify Lt. William D. Bates, making for a worthwhile research project. We did find a Flight Officer William D. Bates who served with the 334th Fighter Squadron and suffered mechanical failure and abandoned A/C over the North Sea, and died at sea, but as he was only a Flight Officer, we cannot say with certainty that this belonged to him, but there is certainly a chance. 

This is a tremendous set to find in this set, with great research potential! Comes ready for further research and display.