Wwii Very Rare 1944 Indian Ocean Pacific Army Air Force Waterproof Raft Map

Posted Mon, 01/17/2022 - 04:34

WWII VERY RARE 1944 Indian Ocean Pacific Army Air Force Waterproof Raft Map

Size: 24.5 x 37.5 inches. Title: Title: Indian Ocean (January) & Indian Ocean (July).

Shows the islands of New Guinea, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Palau Island, Solomon Islands, Borneo, Celebes, Sumatra, Philippine Islands, etc. Please note this map is extremely delicate because of the "special oiled material" this map is printed on. The map itself does hold together but the oil has since caused some tears at the folded seams.

These maps are very hard to find and would make an amazing addition to any WWII and rare map collection. Dated 1944, this WWII A.

Army Air Force oiled pilot life raft chart map was prepared under the direction of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, for the aeronautical chart service by the Army Map Service. These maps were created and printed on a special material that would withstand the harsh conditions of salt water and sunlight. The Hydrographic designed five special paper Pilot Charts of the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean, one side of each chart was for the summer months and the other side for the winter months. This eliminated the need for the periodic replacement of the charts and allowed for them to be permanently placed in metal containers in lifeboats.

Research for a suitable material led to the enclosed impregnated fabric which appears to be ideal for the purpose. It is water-proof, non-crushable, unaffected by salt water and sunlight, folds compactly and may be quickly smoothed out for use....

This chart should also prove valuable as a means of catching rainwater, as an auxiliary sail, as a covering to protect the body from the sun, rain, and spray. Procured a total of 139,000 five-chart packages, with the orders in March 1944 (78,000 packages), July 1944 (26,000 packages), September 1944 (21,000 packages), and February 1945 (34,000 packages) placed with the William Kuhlman and Company to satisfy both AAF and subsequent Navy requirements.

Like the four-chart packs, the color of land on the charts for AAF is bright yellow, with water a faded yellow, base features in black, and nautical information in blue. The information and changes regarding the ocean currents were crucial for pilots and down crews to survive the treacherous ocean and navigate towards land masses nearby. While having this map did not guarantee safety, it provided hope for many pilots and downed crew members stranded in the ocean and in enemy waters. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Field Gear, Equipment".

The seller is "premierrelics" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.