Original U.S. WWII USAAF Pilot Type B-9 Parachute by Pioneer Parachute Company Reissued for Post War Use

Original Item: Only One Available. Officially designated Parachute Complete - Pilot, 24-Foot Back Type B-9 this is a good reissued example of the parachute USAAF combat pilots would have worn during WW2. The B9 was just a slight variation of the B-8 which was a well liked backpack style parachute. This set comes in a post-war bag marked Pioneer Parachute. 

The pack retains the tag:

PIONEER PARACHUTE
MODEL PT-28-N C.A.A.T.C. NO. 119
SERIAL NO. 345877
DATE OF MFG. NOV 1945
MFG. BY. PIONNER PARACHUTE CO. INC.
MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.

This denotes that the parachute was manufactured in November 1945, following the end of WWII, and was reissued for use post-war. The elastic straps holding the set together show heavy fraying and degradation of the material. 

The harness retains a tag:

PIONEER PARACHUTE “QUICK-FIT” HARNESS
U.S. PATENT NO. 2,475,631
OTHER PAT. PENDING IN U.S.A. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
MGR. NOV 1949

This means the set was assembled around the late 1940s or early 1950s, possibly for Korean War use. There is no inspection or packing data card in the sleeve. The bag shows heavy staining and a few small holes.

Also in the bag is a smaller cargo parachute with four flaps either labeled FOLD UP or FOLD DOWN. 

A good Post-WWII parachute set, ready for further research and display.