Images(3)

Goggles, Aviator's

Object number2017.91.5 a-h

Manufacturer American Optical Company

Manufacturer Bausch and Lomb Optical Company

Date1945

OriginSouthbridge, MA

OriginRochester, NY

MediumGlass; Metal; Foam; Fabric; Elastic; Paper; Ink; Paperboard; Adhesive tape; Adhesive

Credit LineIn memory of Harry "Bus" Means

DescriptionFlying goggles with pair of clear lenses, lens packaging material, and paperboard box. Flying goggles. Silver metal frames with foam padding cushions; foam is gray on the front and beige on the back. Green lenses. Gray elastic fabric strap. Pair of clear goggle lenses. Convex curved colorless glass. Double beveled edge. Symbols at the narrow ends. Paper tissue wrapping for pair of clear goggle lenses. Rectangular off-white tissue paper. Envelope for pair of clear goggle lenses. Rectangular manila envelope with flap. Paper tissue wrapping for pair of green goggle lenses. Rectangular off-white tissue paper. Rectangular brown paperboard box with lid. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 3.125 x 7.125 x 7.5 in. (7.9 x 18.1 x 19.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 2.063 x 3.188 x 0.813 in. (5.2 x 8.1 x 2.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 2.063 x 3.188 x 0.813 in. (5.2 x 8.1 x 2.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d - depth due to planar distortion): 15 x 6.813 x 1 in. (38.1 x 17.3 x 2.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (e): 2.875 x 5.75 x 0.75 in. (7.3 x 14.6 x 1.9 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (f - depth due to planar distortion): 15.125 x 5.313 x 0.5 in. (38.4 x 13.5 x 1.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (g-h): 2.75 x 9.125 x 4.125 in. (7 x 23.2 x 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (g): 2.5 x 9.125 x 4.125 in. (6.4 x 23.2 x 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (h): 2.375 x 8.5 x 3.625 in. (6 x 21.6 x 9.2 cm)
Inscriptions(h)
White tape across underside has handwritten numbers in an addition column - the sum is "51.02".
Marks(a)
Front of bridge has text "A-N / 6530".

(d)
Black printed text at one short end "1 PAIR / [maker logo] / GOGGLE LENSES / TYPE - ARMY COLOR - CLEAR / MADE BY / BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. / ROCHESTER, N.Y., U. S. A. / No. 1500-3 W / MADE IN U. S. A."

(e)
Front has black printed text "1 PAIR / [maker logo] / GOGGLE LENSES / TYPE - ARMY COLOR - CLEAR / MADE BY / BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. / ROCHESTER, N.Y., U. S. A. / No. 1500-3 W / MADE IN U. S. A." and to the left of this "Contr. 535-AC-27441 / Spec. AN-DD-L-236".

(f)
Black printed rectangle at one short end "ONE PAIR / LENSES; GOGGLE, FLYING / Specification No. AN-DD-L-236 / Color GREEN Part No. 33A5022-7 / Contract No. N288s-28134 Item 1(A) / Stock No. R37-L-220 / American [logo] Optical / COMPANY / 811 / Made in U.S.A."; to the viewer's right of this text is blue stamped text "MAY 22 1945".

(g)
White sticker on top has blue printed text "FRAMES: FLYING GOGGLES WITH CUSHIONS / SPECIFICATION NO. AN-GG-F-626 - AN-ZZ-C-776 / PART NO. 33D5020 - 33B5021-4 / CONTRACT NO. NXS 1562 / AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY / SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A."
Historical NotesPart of a collection related to Harry "Bus" Means. This extensive collection of military uniforms and equipment relates to the life and career of U.S. Marines Corps chief flight mechanic Sergeant Harry “Bus” Means of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Means served with multiple units during WWII and immediately afterwards, including the “Bombing Banshees” VMSB-244 flight squadron that participated in the occupation of China and the Philippines. Means served through 1946, then returned to service during the Korean War, so his story represents the Cold War history of those whose military participation did not end with the official surrender of the Japanese in WWII. The collection contains artifacts representing the post-War occupation of China and the Pacific Islands, and also reminders of the regional tensions that led to conflict again in Southeast Asia within ten years. The collection also includes more general materials from Mean’s childhood in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and his civilian occupations, such as his role as a USPS mail carrier.

Previous owner Sergeant Harry E. Means

Related institution United States Marine Corps

Related institution Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244

Related institution United States Army

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