Bail Out Sleeping Bag SRU-15/P
Bail Out Sleeping Bag

Here is the fiber-glass case covered with re-enforced packing tape, black spray paint and various markings. The case is 12"x12"x2"


I am thinking this was located under the seat pad and you pulled it out using the handle, so this is actually the top. You can see that the bag was issued to Hill Air Force Base, Utah

After cleaning off most of the packing tape you can read the identifying label. The number 221 is on the front, back and along the sides.

The lable reads that the case was packed by General Tire & Rubber Company in 1961.

This lable must have been added after it was placed into service. The font and paper color are different.

I used the Tee-Handle as a lever. As I turned the bolt the case began to decompress.

The wire cable cuts the tape from three sides. With the three sides cut, I was able to flip the case open.


The bag is packed in a sealed vinyl bag.


The rubber valve and vinyl come from General Tire.


Here is the case. It makes sense that a tire company would pack the bag. They would be able to modify a press to compress the case and molds to make the vinyl bag and valve.

How else would you fit this bag into such a small case?

The next three photos show lables on the bag.

Now you can see that Barclay Home Products Manufactured the bag

The reverse side shows the weight of the bag

The only problem with using the screw to compress the case is that it pokes holes at random places in the bag. This is because the bag is scunched up in the vinyl bag. Some are big about the size of a dime but not many and others are the size of a BB. I had around 14 on the outside (and that many on the inside). I used nylon thread to sew them shut rather than iron-on patches as the heat would damage the bag. They were easily fixed.

I was able to pack the bag in a stuff sack. If I used a compression bag I could get it smaller.




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