Part 9/12:
Flying at heights up to 20,000 feet without oxygen or advanced heated suits meant pilots faced extreme cold, numb fingers, and frostbite risks. They relied on special clothing, including fur-lined suits and gloves, and carried practical items like maps and notepads for navigation and reconnaissance. Pilots also carried personal lucky mascots — George the teddy bear, for instance — emphasizing the mixture of professionalism and superstition.