An iconic, although often over looked, piece of WWII equipment is the B3/B4 Life Preserver. Better known as the “Mae West.” Externally the B3 and B4 look almost identical but the main difference is the earlier one was a nylon exterior over a rubber bladder while the later was just solid rubber. Really more of a rubberized canvas. If you want to see more details go to http://www.303rdbg.com/ site where they have a nice little break down.
Often seen in use by Allied aircrew and paratroopers. The vest was inflated by pulling down on two pull tabs at the bottom which punctured co2 cartridges. If the cartridges were empty or dead the rubber hoses could be used to inflate it as well. It also included a dye pack that would dissolve in water to help with spotting.
While it is present in a lot of photos it is rare to see one clearly so here are some close ups.
Scattered Shots 