VINTAGE USAAF/USN ORIGINAL POLAROID No.1065 AVIATION GOGGLES

Introduced in early 1943, the Polaroid No 1065 flying goggles were the precursor to the Type B8 and later, ‘1945' goggles worn by US and Allied pilots across every theatre of war.

During the early years of the war, Polaroid’s own research had indicated that one of the most common issues pilots had with the twin-lens goggles was their lack of air circulation resulting in lens fogging.

Without a contract in place, Polaroid took the initiative and designed a one piece lens featuring perforations along the upper edge of the rubber frame which allowed for increased air circulation to reduce fogging. 

The No.1065 goggles one-piece, shatter-proof lens provided far greater peripheral vision than the previous twin-lens models; whilst its molded black rubber body and chamois leather lining were easily adaptable to fit most faces and variations in oxygen masks.

The new design proved so popular with pilots that the USAAF and the USN awarded long term contracts to Polaroid to supply flying goggles, although a larger lens to increase visibility was requested - these were to become known as the Type B8 flying goggle.

At the time of Polaroid’s release of the No.1065 Flying Goggle, no additional lenses were supplied but by the 3rd production run, the No.1068, additional B8 lenses and instructions were supplied to all pilots already using the No.1065s & 7s. Note that this example of a Polaroid No.1065 Flying Goggles come with a follow on Instruction pamphlet for the No.1068 even though they are exactly the same. 

During the 1950’s and early 1960’s pilots of the French Navy Fleet AirArm, the Aéronavale, also used the Polaroid No.1065 and B8’s in their F4U-7 carrier launched Corsairs leading up to and during the early years of the conflict in Vietnam.   

The USN eventually requested their Polaroid Flying Goggles be marked with the USN designation on the rubberised surround although they were in every other respect, identical to the USAAF B8 Flying Goggles.

In the last years of the war, other Flying Goggle Manufacturers produced their own variation of Polaroid’s popular B8s such as the ‘1945 Flying Goggle’ manufactured by the American Optical Company who also produced a USN specific ‘1945 Flying Goggle’ which whilst featuring the same large lens, did not have the ’nose covering’ as the Type B8s. 

The Polaroid No.1065 flying goggles came well packaged with a small instruction pamphlet and a variety of interchangeable tinted lenses for use in different weather and lighting conditions. 

So popular were the new flying goggles that RAAF personnel in the South West Pacific would often beg, borrow or barter for a prized pair from their US counterparts. 

Polaroid continued refining their B-8 model and by the early 1950s they were in general use by Australian pilots flying P51’s and Gloster Meteors during the Korean War. 

In the late 1950’s H.L. Bouton of Massachusetts produced their own version of the Polaroid B8’s after receiving a contract from the new Swedish Airforce. Some of these also made their way into the USAF during the Korean War.

Eventually, the advent of the jet fighter saw pilots transitioning to the full face integrated oxygen mask and the B8 concept was successfully introduced to the burgeoning sports market to become the ski goggles we know of today. 

Your original pair of Polaroid No.1065 Aviation Goggles come complete with :

• Original printed box
• Battle hardened No.1065 Flying goggles
• Original Instruction pamphlet 
• Complete set of original, individually packaged tinted lenses
• Beautiful hand-crafted 100yr mango wood display stand and engraved plaque
• Detailed, professionally printed and laminated Fact Sheet
• Highly detailed 1/72 scale* diecast or hand built & airbrushed Vought F4U Corsair model on magnetic stand

* Why not go for super detail and impact by upscaling to an exquisitely detailed and finished, hand-crafted 1/48 scale F4U Corsair model - the perfect gift for any aviation enthusiast.

* Note that this F4-U Collectable is pictured with a 1/48 scale model rather than the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the ‘Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger 1/48 scale as displayed here.

This Vought F4U Corsair Collectable comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of collectable with pilot and aircraft.

Return to Vought F4U Corsair MAIN PAGE