Adopted by the RAF in February 1933, the Observer Harness was employed extensively by English, Canadian, and later by US fliers. The Observer was standard issue for Bomber Command crewmen on the Lancaster, Halifax, and many others. It faithfully served throughout the war and well into the postwar era.
Nearly 80 feet of custom woven Type VIII webbing is painstakingly interwoven and layered (8 layers at points!) to form the harness element. An actual wartime harness machine creates authentic ultra-heavy 7-class stitching. The rare fully circular release box is entirely functional, ejecting all 4 release lugs for instantaneous release. This precision-machined bit of engineering provides an authentic "click" straight from 1940. Custom stainless metalwork has the proper wartime stamps (no postwar AML marks!) Spring clip retainers at the chest position the hooks for quick attachment, and custom manufactured stainless square rings at the hip facilitate the dinghy pack.
The early drab brown color back pad is filled with genuine felt padding, and uses original shuttle loom webbing retainers. All webbings ends have the proper anti-fray coating - a period correct mixture. Complete with Irvin label on reverse back strap, stamped inspection markings, and AM Crown stamps on chest webs.
Be sure to check out the companion Observer Chest Pack
Nearly 80 feet of custom woven Type VIII webbing is painstakingly interwoven and layered (8 layers at points!) to form the harness element. An actual wartime harness machine creates authentic ultra-heavy 7-class stitching. The rare fully circular release box is entirely functional, ejecting all 4 release lugs for instantaneous release. This precision-machined bit of engineering provides an authentic "click" straight from 1940. Custom stainless metalwork has the proper wartime stamps (no postwar AML marks!) Spring clip retainers at the chest position the hooks for quick attachment, and custom manufactured stainless square rings at the hip facilitate the dinghy pack.
The early drab brown color back pad is filled with genuine felt padding, and uses original shuttle loom webbing retainers. All webbings ends have the proper anti-fray coating - a period correct mixture. Complete with Irvin label on reverse back strap, stamped inspection markings, and AM Crown stamps on chest webs.
Be sure to check out the companion Observer Chest Pack
- MADE IN USA
- Includes instructional manual
- Fully functional quick release box
- Custom woven harness webbing
- Custom forged stainless hardware
- Spring clip chest retainers
- Custom sealed raw ends
- Irvin Label & Crown AM stamps
