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Development of the Flak Jacket
The use of Flak Jacket stared during the Second World War. It was developed by the Wilkinson Sword Company for use by the Royal Air Force. The flak jacket was made as protective clothing designed as a vest in order to provide protection for the Royal Air Force against the Fliegerabwehrkanone, exploding shells fired from German anti aircraft guns. These German shells have been causing severe injuries and wounds as well as death to the soldiers and crews of aircrafts.
Other forms of flak jacket later on followed after its introduction. The Army Ordinance Corps and the Army Quartermaster Corps have conducted several developments for the flak jacket. The Quartermaster focused on the development of non metallic body armor using laminated fiber glass called Duron. The word Duron came from the name of chief of the Research and Development Branch of the Quartermaster who is Brigadier General Georges Doriot. Doron material was first created by the DowChemical Company by bonding glass filaments together using high pressure and methacrylate. The Quartermaster used Doron for their flak jacket because hard and lightweight characteristic. The flak jacket was developed using the Doron material was called M-12, a 12 pound vest of aluminum plates and nylon fabric.
Later on, upon recommendation by the Army Ordinance, the Quartermaster started another type of vest by using flexible laminated nylon duck. This flexible laminated nylon duck was considered that time as the best of all lightweight flexible ballistic materials and is more superior than steel when it comes to stopping fragments from exploding missiles. In 1948, the Quartermaster Corps was able to develop the first laminated nylon flak jacket. It was a fully laminated flak vest consisting of a back and front armor that includes a groin apron. Full laminating is more preferred than the spot laminating because of greater flexibility and comfort. Later on the two piece vest became a one piece vest in 1950.
Other forms of flak jacket later on followed after its introduction. The Army Ordinance Corps and the Army Quartermaster Corps have conducted several developments for the flak jacket. The Quartermaster focused on the development of non metallic body armor using laminated fiber glass called Duron. The word Duron came from the name of chief of the Research and Development Branch of the Quartermaster who is Brigadier General Georges Doriot. Doron material was first created by the DowChemical Company by bonding glass filaments together using high pressure and methacrylate. The Quartermaster used Doron for their flak jacket because hard and lightweight characteristic. The flak jacket was developed using the Doron material was called M-12, a 12 pound vest of aluminum plates and nylon fabric.
Later on, upon recommendation by the Army Ordinance, the Quartermaster started another type of vest by using flexible laminated nylon duck. This flexible laminated nylon duck was considered that time as the best of all lightweight flexible ballistic materials and is more superior than steel when it comes to stopping fragments from exploding missiles. In 1948, the Quartermaster Corps was able to develop the first laminated nylon flak jacket. It was a fully laminated flak vest consisting of a back and front armor that includes a groin apron. Full laminating is more preferred than the spot laminating because of greater flexibility and comfort. Later on the two piece vest became a one piece vest in 1950.