The A-10 mask is obsolete.
The A-10 revised mask is obsoete.
The A-14 mask is standard issue for staging and combat areas, and
operational or replacement training schools.
The A-10-A mask is used in training where sufficient A-14 masks
are not available.
Both the A-10-A and the A-14 masks are suspended from the summer
and winter flying helmets.
NOTE: It is important that AERIAL GUNNERS obtain a properly fitting
mask, fit to both summer and winter helmets at the first station
available. Because of the extreme cold to which gunners are subjected
under combat conditions, you MUST learn to remove and replace the mask
quickly and accurately WEARING HEAVY GLOVES. It is not easy to
manipulate a mask or unjam a .50 cal. gun with numb fingers in heavy
flying gloves. PRACTICE these things on every training flight with
gloves ON.
FITTING THE MASK TO THE FACE -- There are two considerations in
obtaining a proper fit:
(1) An _AIR-TIGHT SEAL_ of mask to face.
(2) Comfort of fit without undue pressure.
The A-10-A and A-14 masks come in three sizes. Roughly, 60% of
flyers will require the STANDARD (medium) size mask, 30% the LARGE mask,
and the remaining 10% the SMALLER sizes. General instructions concerning
fitting are.
(1) Suspension points on both summer and winter helmets must be
determined INDIVIDUALLY on each flyer. This is a job for your squadron
personal equipment officer or the group aviation physiologist or his
trained assistant.
(2) It is important that the mask be suspended _high_ on the face,
sealing to the boney portion of the nose and cheek bones and NOT
the soft tissues. Otherwise you'll get a leak or a "clothespin on
the nose" effect from pressure of the nose wire.