Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Clothing
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Fantastic and extremely rare pair of RFC "Fug" Boots in exceptional condition.
One of the most difficult items of early flying clothing to find, and missing from many collections – the "Fug" boots were an invaluable asset to RFC aircrews and so coveted by German pilots that they would be the first item confiscated as "booty" in the event of an aerial victory. As issued they came up to the hips, with leather straps and buckles to attach to the waistbelt, but these were cumbersome under the coat and added little comfort, so the majority of RFC pilots and observers cut them down. This pair, which has been more neatly modified than most, is in amazing condition. Only the very top section has been trimmed, leaving a great pair of thigh-length, over-the-knee boots which provided warmth and comfort at altitude and on cold days. they feature lovely rich honey coloured skeepskin with brown leather shoe section and straps. Most surviving examples are well worn, torn and often show multiple repairs to the sheepskin - these are excellent with no damage or wear, retaining their fleece lining and red rubber soles, as well as tightening straps around the instep and lower leg. They would be very difficult to upgrade.
​​​
$3,650 / £2,780 / €3,160
Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history.
Incredibly rare first pattern Sidcot aviation suit, designed by Sidney Cotton and produced by Robinson & Cleaver under the Racobal Sidcot label. This suit is the best condition example I have ever seen, with minimal loss of fur to the collar (usually bald), no wear or damage just a few light marks, with all original buttons still in place and both labels. Suit is named to the front "Shaw" and is attributed to Frederick Barr Shaw, a Canadian born US citizen/resident, who served with the RNAS, who flew numerous types culminating in Handley Page 0400 bombers. His history was written up in Smithsonian Magazine in July 2008 and can be found online. The suit comes with 11 original negatives (and later photographic prints from these) of various aircraft types including the HP 0400 and one of Shaw in RNAS uniform standing in front of a Sopwith Camel. A very rare opportunity to own an extremely rare early flying suit with great history.
​​
$3,500 / £2,665 / €3,030
​
Superb WWI Royal Flying Corps flying gauntlets.
Very good pair of expensive privately-purchased flying gauntlets by Fownes "Own Make". Fabulous quality soft leather palms and inner arms with a fur outer for warmth and to repel water. Separate trigger ginger and thumb. Show some use with a couple of bald spots to the fur but no excessive wear or damage and display well. Overall a lovely example dating to the early days of the RFC.
​
$395 / £300 / €345
​
Extremely rare Royal Flying Corps waistcoat/poncho warmer worn under the flying coat.
Another extremely rare item of flying clothing issued to pilots of the RFC and RNAS to combat the cold. This suede and shearling warmer comprised a cmbination waistcoat and poncho which slipped over the head, secured in place by a belt which buckled around the waist, then buttoned at the shoulder. This example is in very good condition, clean, with no damage, but lacking the two original buttons which fastened at the shoulder (these could very easily be replaced). Though often seen in period photographs, I have never actually seen one of these before and it is extremely well made. A very rare find.
$1,500 / £1,150 / €1,300
RFC full length leather flying coat attributed to pilot of 98 sq. RFC/RAF.
Yet another wonderful piece of rare RFC flying clothing; the ubiquitous and iconic leather flying coat worn throughout the war, even after it was technically replaced by the more effective one-piece flying overall. This coat is in very good used condition. the leather is excellent, with no damage or excessive wear (a few scratches and surface nicks and slightly grubby from use). There is wear to the lining, notably inside the neck, but all buttons are present and correct, as is the belt and the interior straps for securing to the legs. It would undoubtedly clean up if desired, but it has so much history I'd rather leave it as is! The coat came from the family of S. Spinks, who was initially an Air Mechanic (as most non-officer pilots began life in the RFC). He flew DH9 aircraft in France with 98 squadron. Included with the coat is a letter from the family, a Christmas card from Spinks and 2 photos; one a portrait of him and the other a picture of some of his "palls" (sp). He trained at Gosport before moving to 98 sq. and history can be found online. Most RFC coats I have handled usually exhibit damage or wear commensurate with age - this is one of the best examples I have seen, as far as the condition of the leather goes - an absolute gem.
​
$3,500 / £2,665 / €3,030
RAF Type D flying gauntlets, c.1943.
Originally issued as part of the Type D electrically heated system of flying clothing with a fleece lined black rayon, heated inner glove – but most were discarded and the leather gloves worn more commonly alone, or over the white silk inner. These are in great condition and almost a perfect match for colour, though one is marked size 9 and the other 8.5 - yet they seem to be the same size. This was not uncommon since left and right gloves were made in different factories and sizes varied. Excellent condition and both with superb A-crown-M marked labels indicating pre-1944 production.
$165 / £120 / €140
Scarce EARLY RAF Blouse, Aircrew (BD) dated 1942 with pilot wing.
​
Commonly referred to as "battledress", though in fact the RAF was never issued battledress. This style of uniform, based on the army battledress and made from blue serge wool, was introduced in 1941 for wear by aircrew while on combat duty only, and as such it is a flying jacket. These early examples were called "suits, aircrew" until 1944 when non-flying members of the RAF were permitted to wear them, and the name was changed to "war service dress." Early examples such as this 1942 dated example had a fuller cut for better movement and included inside pockets on both sides. This one also has metal buttons (except on the epaulettes) while later versions had plastic buttons. Very good, used blouse has a nice wartime flat pilot wing and rank lace for a Flying Officer, and a great printed label. One or two very tiny moth nips, which can barely be seen, in the folds of the wool. These early blouses are quite difficult to source.
​
$575 / £420 / €488
RARE French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots.
High altitude flying equipment from the Cold War period is extremely difficult to source, and this is a rare example of the suit worn by Dassault Mirage pilots of L'Armée de L'Air in the mid-1960s. Designed to be very tight to restrict blood flow during tight G-manoeuvres. Excellent condition, emerald green nylon suit shows very little sign of use or wear; all zips (Eclair) in perfect working order and all laces intact.
​
$325 / £250 / €285
​
Rare RAF chamois inner glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 Pattern Flying Gauntlets.
These chamois liners are getting extremely difficult to find. The original idea was to wear chamois gloves, then silk liners on top of those and finally the gauntlet (1933 straight zip or 1941 slanted zip pattern). Very often, the chamois gloves only were worn by many crew members, and the silks alone by navigators. Only those in exposed crew positions felt the need to wear all 3 . As with all RAF issue gloves, they are non matching but do appear to be the same size. Very good condition and both are marked inside - one has a lovely Air Ministry crown mark.
​​
$225 / £170 / €195
Scarce RAF silk inner glove liners for the 1933 and 1941 Pattern Flying Gauntlets.
Completing the set of RAF flying handwear, this very good, clean pair of double layer silk inner gloves show light to moderate wear with a few very small worn spots/holes on the outer layer of silk. Nicely marked and a matching pair, both 9-1/2. Not easy to find.
​​
$175 / £130 / €150
Scarce RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit.
A fantastic combat veteran, in remarkably good condition, though grubby from use. The 1940 Sidcot was not in production for very long; it replaced the 1930 Pattern, differing only in the fabric it was made from (heavy grey/green denim instead of oiled cotton) and was soon superseded by the 1941 Pattern – identical but with electrical connectors for heating the gloves and boots. This example has seen some use yet shows no damage other than one leg zip which has an improvised period repair of being sewn up with a leather thong. All other zips work perfectly and belt remains fastened at rear. Nice A-crown-M stamp and stores ref. label showing it to be a decent size 5, with an ink stamp indicating an issue date of Apr 29 1941. Suit is overall very grubby with (presumably) engine oil and grime. It might clean up, and the repaired zip could be replaced - but why? It's a beautiful suit that evokes honest wartime use. ​
​
$550 / £410 / €470
​
RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit.
Excellent example and large size quilted Rayon liner which was worn underneath the 1940 Pattern "Sidcot" flying suit. Constructed from brown rayon with full front zip, full length side zips and sleeve zips, all in excellent working condition. Good label and nice A-crown-M ink stamp plus printed size 6 inside neck. Overall extremely clean - looks unissued. Front fly-flap is present and buttons closed. Button is slightly loose but still attached - just needs a couple of stitches to secure it. These suits were very warm and comfortable and were, on occasions, worn alone (without the out suit) in some crew positions.
​
$220 / £165 / €190
RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall, primarily for ground crews serving in Malta, North Africa and the tropics.
Quite a scarce item of RAF kit and very important for correctly portraying the support crews who served with RAF units stationed in hit, tropical climates. This example is unissued, in excellent condition, retaining its original sewn label dated 1943 to the back. It is also stamped with the WD acceptance code inside the top. Heavy cotton drill (denim) with button front and sleeves, stand-up Mandarin collar. Retains its matching waist belt (fastened at the back).
​
$175 / £130 / €150
RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots.
Very good clean pair of RAF Mosquito boots in brown suede. These boots were originally intended for ground crews in desert conditions, but were quickly grabbed by pilots and aircrews, notably fighter pilots in prefrence to the heavy suede 1940 pattern flying boots. The colour of these suede Mosquito boots varied from green to brown suede; this pair is a chestnut brown, small size 6 UK (7 US). Original soles and heels all in very good condition showing light wear overall. There are some faint markings inside but difficult to interpret. The lightweight cotton webbing tie tapes from inside the channel around the top have been removed (fairly common practice among aircrews) but could be replaced if desired.
​
$375 / £280 / €325
Scarce RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942.
Rare accessory for the serious collector of RAF flying kit. "Stockings, Sea Boot, Short" were Air Ministry issue as an alternative to the previously available "Stockings, Sea Boot" often seen during the Battle of Britain. Cream coloured heavy wool socks are well marked and dated 1942. Appear unworn with a couple of small snags but no serious damage. Far more scarce than the full length type and soon replaced by "Aircrew Stockings, Black." Sizing 1-3 was exclusively Air Ministry parlance.
​
$150 / £110 / €130
​
Superb WWI Royal Flying Corps Beaver fur flying gauntlets.
Very good pair of expensive privately-purchased flying gauntlets by Fownes "Own Make". Fabulous quality soft leather palms and inner arms with a beaver fur outer for warmth and to repel water. Separate trigger ginger and thumb. Show some use with a couple of bald spots to the fur but no excessive wear or damage and display well. Overall a lovely example dating to the early days of the RFC.
​
$250 / £185 / €215
​
RAF Mosquito Boots dated 1944.
Well above average, very good clean pair of RAF Mosquito boots in brown suede with drawstring ties to keep out mosquitoes and other pests. These boots were originally intended for ground crews in desert conditions, but were quickly grabbed by pilots and aircrews, notably fighter pilots in prefrence to the heavy suede 1940 pattern flying boots. The colour of these suede Mosquito boots varied from green to brown suede; this pair is a light greenish-brown, which seems to be the less common. They are well marked inside, size 8 UK (9 US) with Air Ministry crown and broad arrow. They are also marked inside the foot (impossible to get a photo but very clearly visible) with the maker's name: John White, and a date of 1944. Original soles and heels all in excellent condition and very light wear overall. As nice a pair as you will find.
​
$495 / £380 / €440
Complete panel of an early wartime silk parachute / scarf.
​
Hard to tell if this is from a US or British made parachute, but it is silk, not rayon or nylon, so very likely British or German or early US (US parachutes were all synthetic from about mid-1942). The only marking is the panel number 15. Measures about 12' (365cm) long by about 3' ( 92cm) at it's widest end, going down to 6" (15cm) at the thin end. Clean, excellent condition with no damage, and would make several great scarves or could be used to wrap the packing on an actual parachute.​
​
$120 / £90 / €105
Early Luftwaffe blue suede Channel trousers.
Blue grey suede "Channel" trousers which have seen some action but remain in good condition, with original functioning zips and all pockets complete with loops, tabs and flaps for storing survival kit. The flag pocket (lower leg) is missing part of the snap fastener and there are a couple of very neat repairs (and one not so neat which could be field repair) but are otherwise in very good condition. Zips are an unusual maker, marked DePe and Czechoslovakia. The label inside the trousers is also unusual and has an open ended early date (193_). It's possible the suit was made in Czechoslovakia, which is an interesting variation. A perfectly displayable example of the famed "Channel pants."
​
$750 / £580 / €680
AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants. Made by Aero Leather.
Often missing from the pants - these are the official issue "Suspenders, Flying Suit, Specification #3221, Order No. 44-6353-AF, Aero Leather Clothing Co." Excellent condition, retaining elasticity, OD elastic and leather all perfect. Well marked with AAF emblem and a 1944 contract date.​
​
$75 / £60 / €70
RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943.
Superb, lightly used pair of RCAF Type E flying gloves made from high-quality black leather, unlined (usually worn over silk or chamois gloves) with a 3/4-length zip making them easy to slip on and off. Both are nicely marked with a white RCAF property stamp and one retains it's linen maker's tag with the nomenclature. Far less common than RAF flying gloves.
​
$200 / £155 / €185
WWII Italian Paratrooper knee pads.
Similar to the type of knee pads worn by German paratroopers, these well made knee pads were Italian issue. No markings but the construction, type and colour of fabric and elastic are typical of Italina craftsmanship. Slightly grubby but overall great condition.​
​
$125 / £98 / €115
RAF Type D electrically-heated bootees, matched pair.
Introduced in 1943, the Type D series of electrically wired/heated clothing included these bootees which connected to the waistcoat by means of long wired tapes that snapped on the the press studs on the back, above the heel. This set is in great condition, showing light use but no wear or damage. Lovely matching pair, left and right, size small. Both are labeled with Air Ministry nomenclature and the right bootee also bears a Windak manufacturer's label (Windak being the primary contracted supplier of electrically-wired flying kit).
​
$110 / £85 / €100
RAF Type D flying gloves, non-matching pair.
​
Excellent non-matching pair of Type D flying gloves. Near perfect match in the colour of the leather, but one is marked as a size 9-1/2 while the other is marked a size 10. However they seem to be a very close match in size and it's hard to tell when wearing them or placing them together. One has a broad arrow marked label and the other has a nice A-crown-M label. These and other gloves were often issued non-matching and I have no doubt these were always together this way (although they appear unissued).
​
SOLD
US Army OD green woolen knit mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb.
Excellent pair of knit woolen mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb as issued to US Army personnel in all branches serving in cold climates, including aircrews for high altitude and exposed crew positions. Superb condition, appear unissued wit no wear or damage.​
​
$65 / £55 / €62
​
RAF silk liners for 1933 and 1941 Pattern Flying Gloves.
These scarce early silk liners are in very clean condition, except the outer layer of silk is worn through on both thumbs and one forefinger. It seems to be just the outer layer of silk which has separated and almost shredded. Many RAF aircrews, though issued gloves and liners as a set, wore only the silks (notably navigators and flight engineers) and that may be the case here. Size 8 and wonderful early Air Ministry markings inside.​
$155 / £120 / €145
Scarce AAF Type N-2 Extreme Cold Weather/emergency/
rescue mittens for aircrews.
​
Actually developed for emergency use/rescue/survival, these mittens were produced in a very small quantity in June 1945 and never standardized for issue. Very simple in construction and unlined, they were intended to be worn over heavy inner gloves.
​
$65 / £50 / €60
AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts in unissued, unused condition.
Issued to combat aircrews in heavy bombers such as the B-17 and B-24 for protection against the cold at high altitude. Made by Lion Products, Inc. and well marked with AAF emblem and instruction/nomenclature labels. These were intended to be worn over shoes and inside the shearling A-6 boots. OD green cotton with snaps/press studs that carried the current from the electrically wired suits. Fantastic condition, would be very difficult to find better.
​
$75 / £60 / €68
Modified British Army flying boots possible USAAF use?
Very interesting pair of flying boots, which may have been tailored for a USAAF pilot/crewman or perhaps modified from a pair of British Army issue flying boots. They definitely appear to be British style and construction, in high quality brown leather, calf skin lined, and mid-calf length. The rear seams have been cut apart and WWII pattern Talon zip fasteners sewn into place, making the boots easier to put on and take off. These zips appear to have been added by a rigger. In so doing, the original height of the boots may have been cut down slightly at the back to accommodate the zips. Leather soles are original. Modification has been done well and they are a very nice pair of boots. British Army flying boots, similar to the RAF 1936 pattern boots but considerably shorter and brown leather, were issued to Glider pilots and Army Co-operation pilots.
​
SOLD
AAF Intermediate Flying Gloves Type AN-G-29.
Very good pair of AN-G-29 leather flying gloves. Unlined dark brown leather showing light use but no wear or damage. Size medium.
​
$110 / £88 / €102
Original replacement knit waistband for an A-2 flying jacket.
Original knit waistband for the A-2 flying jacket. New, old stock medium brown wool knit waistband, unused and in perfect condition, with no moth nips or snags. If you have a A-2 jacket with a tatty waistband (as many are) this will bring your jacket back like new.
ONE LEFT IN STOCK.
​
$75 / £60 / €70
US Navy Air Gunner's mittens
Absolutely superb pair of US Navy Air Gunner's mittens with separate "trigger" finger in outstanding condition. High quality black leather with beautiful gold foiled USN tp both gauntlets and tab indicating size 9. Leather lined gauntlet and fleece lined mitten. They show very little wear. Superb quality.
​
$135 / £110 / €125
WWII US Navy flying gauntlets for an air gunner.
Very good used pair of flying gauntlets as issued to US Navy air gunners in the European theatre. Dark brown leather with fleece lining, designed as mittens with a separate trigger finger. One small nick (1 cm / 0.5") in the right hand thumb. USN in a box stamped on the back of both hands. Curiously, like RAF gloves, not quite a perfect matching pair, but very close, with a very slight colour variation. Both are marked Medium size. Zips in good working order. Super high quality leather and quite a scarce item.
​
$135 / £110 / €125
RAF Mk 14 Flying Suit/overalls named to a Hawk pilot with pilot wings and squadron patch attached.
Dating from 1992-1994, this flying suit was worn by a pilot of 234 squadron, No. 4 (Advanced) Flying School at RAF Valley in North Wales flying British Aerospace Hawk. Unusual in that the suit still has the owner's named pilot wing patch, Hawk shoulder patch and 234 Squadron patch attached. In excellent condition - and still has the handwritten pre-flight checklist and flight data inside the thigh pockets. All zips in good working order, no wear or damage. A great modern era flying suit.
​
$175 / £135 / €160