Pair of USAAF issue sunglasses in an aluminium case

Pair of United States Army Air Force 'Glasses, Flying, Sun (Comfort Cable)' with metal frames, contained in an aluminium case. The glasses have pale green lenses and light brown plastic sweat pads. The hinged arms end in spring metal curves which fit over the wearer's ears. The unpainted aluminium case has a hinged lid, and is lined with pale brown fabric. In the centre of the lid is stamped a triangle (point downwards) within a circle. The triangle contains the letters 'B&L'. Below the circle are the words 'MADE IN U.S.A.'

These are an example of the United States Army Air Force 'Glasses, Flying, Sun (Comfort Cable)', which were introduced in 1941 for use by aircrew. The pale green lenses offered a fifty percent reduction in brightness, but particularly in strong light, this was found to be insufficient. Late in the war, they were replaced in service by the 'Glasses, Flying, Sun, Rose Smoke, Type 2', which, although similar in appearance, transmitted only fifteen percent of light, and minimised colour distortion.