AAF Type A-2 jacket with 409th Bomb Squadron patch, large size.

 

Original horsehide A-2 jacket in overall very good condition, the leather very good, with some scuffing, but would benefit greatly from an application of leather dressing.  Original lining, though spec. tag has been removed the AN acceptance mark is still present. Original cuffs and waistband with a few snags and pulls but nothing major. Original Conmar zip works great. Jacket has a 409th Bomb Squadron patch which has been glued to the front. I do not know if glueing was a common practice – I have not seen it done before – but it is a stiff, hard glue so could be contemporary. I am dubious about the patch. At first glance I thought it was painted, but  it seems to be a decal or printed on aircraft fabric and then heavily doped or varnished before being glued on so it's possible it was done by a rigger. If anyone can provide any further insight, I'd be grateful. The 409th BS (93rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force) flew B-24 heavy bombers and was famous for participating in the raids on the oil refineries in Ploesti, among others. The jacket has stitch holes above the patch where a name tag has been removed and on both shoulders where rank insignia has also been removed. The biggest plus of this jacket, besides its overall good condition, is the size, which I would estimate is 44-46. This is a good, wearable jacket.

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$850 / £640 / €715   email to secure this item

Excellent but typically unmatching pair of RAF Type D flying gauntlets.

 

Superb pair of RAF Type D flying gauntlets in almost unworn condition, complete with original labels in both. Both are a perfect size match (size 9) but leather is a mismatch, with the left glove being more of a tan while the right is a reddish brown. Both are excellent quality leather with a blanket wool lining and the leather is soft and unblemished. Most RAF gloves were issued non-matching since left and right hands were made in separate facilities to prevent pilfering.

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$120 / £92 / €102     email to secure this item

Unknown WWI fur backed leather mittens - possible aviation use.

 

Lovely pair of fur backed leather mittens, possibly seal fur. Old, probably WWI era, not any issue that I recognize but could be aviation use in cold weather conditions. Certainly fill a place in a collection. Priced accordingly.

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$60 / £45 / €50     email to secure this item

Reproduction RAF 1936 Pattern Flying Boots in large size 11UK.

 

Beautifully made pair of modern manufacture 1936 Pattern Flying Boots in a huge size 11 UK (12 US). Perfect to fill a gap or for the re-enactor who has trouble finding the larger sizes. Excellent quality leather and made to a very high standard. Half the price of an original pair and safe to wear.

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$300 / £235 / €260

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1940s Chinese Air Force leather jacket with stunning painting of wings, the Chinese star and a stalking tiger.

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Superb quality leather jacket in the typical style of commercially purchased jackets available in the late 1940s.  Jacket has zipped front (zip is broken) 2 flap pockets with leather buttons (one button missing) and leather half belt with leather belt buckle to front. On the back is painted a pair of wings of Chinese Aviation Section major, plus the Chinese star and underneath, a prowling tiger. The art is signed underneath. Jacket is fully lined in silk with the number 48 and another signature or name, perhaps the owner of the jacket, inked inside. The artwork is 100% original and the jacket is similar to the type jacket worn by Chinese pilots flying in US aircraft during the war. Jacket shows considerable wear but no significant damage. Supplied with its scant known history, it was purchased by a collector in the 1970s and never offered on the market before. 

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$1,250 / £965 / €1,065 email to secure this item

Early Luftwaffe leather flying gauntlets of very high quality.

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Beautiful pair of leather flying gauntlets, well marked inside and typical of the type in use n the later 1930s and beginning of the war. Extremely high quality leather, light brown with honey coloured leather lining. The exterior colour very slightly mismatched on the back (most probably slight fading with age and exposure to light). Single strap and buckle for tightening the wrist, with the buckle heavily chrome plated. Just a lovely pair of gauntlets

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$225 / £185 / €210  

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Lovely pair of scarce RAF Mosquito boots with Battle of Britain history.

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Superb pair of green suede Mosquito boots, as issued primarily to ground crews but often grabbed by pilots in desert and tropical regions for flying duties. This pair in great condition, showing some use but no wear or damage and in a great size 10 UK (11US). Well marked with the Air Ministry A-crown-M stamp and named inside to Debenham and obtained by previous owner directly from the family of Kenneth Barry Lemphere Debenham who flew with 151 sq. in the Battle of Britain. He was shot down, badly burned and became a member of the guinea pig club, returning to duty in Italy in 1943 and commanding 126 sq. He was killed in December 1943. Note instead of tie tapes, these boots are secured with long ropes.

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$625 / £475 / €530 

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Excellent pair of RAF Type D flying gauntlets, size 9.5.

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Superb condition, probably unissued/unworn and as near to a matching pair as you are likely to find!​ Both have different labels (from different factories) but both are clearly Air Ministry marked and the same size. Soft leather with faux fur/fleece lining. Nicest pair i have seen in many years. Could be worn alone or with the Type D electrically heated inserts.

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$125 / £95 / €105  email to secure this item

RAF / army motor cycle desptach rider's gauntlets dated 1943.

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Superb pair of motor cycle despatch rider's gloves / gauntlets made from yellow leather and issued to RAF and army motorcyclists. Similar to flying gloves (and may well have been used as such) the glove part is lined with fleece and the gauntlet/wrist section is lined with soft chestnut leather. Well marked with a War Dept broad arrow and dated 1943 with maker stamp to Ricketts Ltd. of Yeovil. Owner has written his serial number on both gloves, which, interestingly enough, are a perfect matched pair! Size 9.5.

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$125 / £100 / €115  email to secure this item

1960s USAF Brown Rayon flying glove inserts, identical to WWII issue, size X-Large in superb condition.

 

These extra-large size flying glove inserts are actually Vietnam era, 1960s production which have been marked with the WWII AAF logo on the backs. Apart from the small tags sewn inside each glove, indicating manufacture by Kings Point Mfg. Co. Inc. they are identical to WWII issue. Unissued and as nice as pair as you will find. 

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$50 / £40 / €46  email to secure this item

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AAF / USAF Type N-2 Aircrew Mittens.

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Issued for extreme cold weather flying, and no doubt intended for wearing over other warm gloves. Gloves are in superb condition, appear unissued and made from unlined brown leather with moccasin style stitching. Well marked inside with what appears to be a 1949 contract order date. US Air Force white ink stamp on back of both hands. First pair of these I have ever encountered. Interesting item of flying clothing from between WWII and the Korean War, when the AAF was transitioning into the USAF and still using brown leather for a lot of flying kit. 

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$75 / £60 /€70  email to secure this item

Luftwaffe Channel trousers in blue suede, complete and in very good condition, 1943 dated.

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Lovely pair of Luftwaffe Channel trousers in blue suede leather with heavy cotton fabric reinforced areas and large bellows pockets for carrying survival equipment when flying over water (hence the name). Overall condition is used but very good. I can find one very tiny hole in the suede, just below the satin waistband (barely shows although I tried to show it in the photos). There is some wear to the cotton on the inside of the pockets but only on one of the multiple layers of cotton fabric. All zips are metal and in very god working order with leather tabs still attached; all buttons present although one of the buttons on the waist is a period field replacement. Leather loops for securing flares and smoke canisters present; flag pocket on leg present, built in holster for flare pistol is good. So often these pockets are removed inner tabs are missing - these are complete. Great label with RB number and issue date of 1943.

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$875 / £670 / €775  email to secure this item

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RAF 1941 pattern  gauntlets. 

 

A good pair of RAF 1941 pattern flying gauntlets. As is often the case, not a perfect match - but very close in appearance. One is marked size 9 and the other size 10 - though in fact there is no discernable difference and without doubt they were issued and worn as a pair. They show use but the leather is very good and soft, if somewhat grubby. There is a very neat period repair to the index fingertip on the right hand, but you have to look hard to find it. I would say these belonged to a gunner, because the right hand shows slightly more wear than the left, and is a little dirtier, especially around the trigger finger. Both zips work perfectly. Overall a vey good, used example, both nicely marked.

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$250 / £200 / €225  

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WWII US Army issue general purpose OD wool and leather gloves size 8.

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Heavy wool gloves with leather palms. General purpose issue for drivers, mechanics, etc. and undoubtedly also worn by aircrews especially gunners and those in exposed or prone positions. Exellent condition with good woven spec. labels in  both gloves indicating contract no. and size. No damage, light use.

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$50 / £39 / €45   email to secure this item

WWI RFC privately-purchased fur-backed heavy gauntlet mittens.

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A good example of the type of handwear worn early in the war by airmen subject to extreme cold at altitude. These mittens have long, heavy gauntlets covered with thick, dense and fairly coarse fur, with leather palms and linen linings. The gauntlets are not only long, but also wide enough to fit over the heavy leather coats worn by aviators. Though the fur has a few worn spots and some splits to the skin, it is not shedding, and is still remarkably strong. These gauntlets display very well with the classic long chestnut brown leather flying coat. There are no markings that I can see, but in the early days of war, airmen, who were mostly officers, were expected to provide their own flying clothing and equipment, and bought from leading department stores and clothiers.

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$150 / £120 / €140  email to secure this item

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Korean War USAF Type A-1 / E-1 series flight suit shirt and trousers made of 100% wool. 

 

4-pocket A-1B flight suit "shirt, mens, coat style" in sage wool, size medium and matching E-1B "trousers, flying, inner" size 34 waist with knit cuffs. Jacket has some moth trails (visible in photographs) but no holes except at the edge of the left shirt cuff. Trousers seem to be pretty much moth free, so overall the suit is very good and quite displayable condition. Like a lot of flying clothing from this era, these suits were produced in OD, blue and sage, this being the later version in sage green dating to circa 1953. Generally worn under heavier outer flying clothing such as the B-15 jacket. A nice set.

 

$75 / £58 / €68  email to secure this item