How an A-2 should fit - Original 1756 no name, and no balloons in sight...

[MightyEighth]

When it comes to aircrew wearing their A-2's there seems to be more of a focus on B-17 and B-24 bomber crews in the ETO. Not all USAAF aircrew flew the heavies at 20,000 feet; the medium bomber crews at lower altitudes or in milder climates and fighter pilots doing low-level sorties probably got quite a bit of use from their A-2 jackets.

Fair point

Did Fortresses and Liberators have heaters in the cockpit?

 

[thor]

There was a glycol heating system that provided very minimal heat to the cockpit, nose and radio compartment but heavy clothing and electric-heated suits were still worn by most of the crew. The pilots actually worked very hard flying a 4-engine bomber in tight formation so they were usually sweaty with their effort (and relatively "warm" in the process) while others (such as the navigator or radioman) might be more immobile for long periods of time thus feeling colder in the extremely cold temps encountered at altitude.
The Norden bombsight (and other sensitive electronic equipment) needed some measure of thermal protection too since frosting conditions would compromise their operational effectiveness.
Still, the heavy-bomber at 25,000 feet was one extremely harsh environment in which to function, be it man or machinery!

 

[TXFlyGuy]

There was a glycol heating system that provided very minimal heat to the cockpit, nose and radio compartment but heavy clothing and electric-heated suits were still worn by most of the crew. The pilots actually worked very hard flying a 4-engine bomber in tight formation so they were usually sweaty with their effort (and relatively "warm" in the process) while others (such as the navigator or radioman) might be more immobile for long periods of time thus feeling colder in the extremely cold temps encountered at altitude.
The Norden bombsight (and other sensitive electronic equipment) needed some measure of thermal protection too since frosting conditions would compromise their operational effectiveness.
Still, the heavy-bomber at 25,000 feet was one extremely harsh environment in which to function, be it man or machinery!

Just flew a trip with another pilot whose father was a B-17 pilot in WWII. He said they have pictures of his dad after returning from a mission where his shirt would be soaked with sweat from the armpits down. Even thought the OAT was -50 F, the atmosphere was hot 'n heavy on the inside.

 

[Edward]

There was a glycol heating system that provided very minimal heat to the cockpit, nose and radio compartment but heavy clothing and electric-heated suits were still worn by most of the crew. The pilots actually worked very hard flying a 4-engine bomber in tight formation so they were usually sweaty with their effort (and relatively "warm" in the process) while others (such as the navigator or radioman) might be more immobile for long periods of time thus feeling colder in the extremely cold temps encountered at altitude.
The Norden bombsight (and other sensitive electronic equipment) needed some measure of thermal protection too since frosting conditions would compromise their operational effectiveness.
Still, the heavy-bomber at 25,000 feet was one extremely harsh environment in which to function, be it man or machinery!

Must have been tough. I always felt sorriest for the poor bugger in the goldfishbowl with the gun, though I'm ure the pilots felt a lot of pressure when it came to getting their crew home alive.