RAF Indian made despatch rider gloves used by a pilot.

 

Lovely pair of heavy leather gauntlets, characteristically made in India, with a circular ink stamp inside and what appears to be a faint  or blurred date of 1943. Gloves are high quality leather and show very little wear or use. These are the type of gauntlets primarily worn by desptach riders/motorcyclists. These came from the estate of a RAF pilot, and he wrote his name inside (M. Lines) so presumably he wore these for flying.

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$75 / £55 / €65

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WWI era heavy mittens, possibly RNAS flying use.

 

Heavy, fleece-lined leather mittens with short gauntlets in very dark brown/black leather. Tightening strap to wrist fastens with a UCFC press stud (United Carr Fastener Co.). Being black they may have been used by the RNAS which preferred black leather for their flying kit to the RFC's brown. Since most clothing used for flying was privately purchased anyway, it is impossible to say if these were used for flying or driving - but they are very warm and quite suitable for either. Some wear/damage to the leather on one gauntlet,  but not significant and they display well.

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$60 / £43 / €50

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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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$850 / £610 / €705  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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$40 / £30 / €35     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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$275 / £199 / €230  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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$40/ £30 / €35  email to secure this item

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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$40/ £30 / €35  email to secure this item

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

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