Vintage Flying Helmets
Aviation, Military & Historical Items for Discerning Collectors
Flying Clothing
(click on pictures to enlarge)
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.
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$225 / £168 / €195
 RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943 |  RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943 |
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 RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943 |  RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943 |
 RCAF Type E Flying Gloves dated 1943 |
Stowage bag for AAF Type G-3A Pneumatic Anti-G Flying Suit.
Never seen one of these before - but then again the G-suits are also scarce! OD cotton stowage bag, 10" x 9" x 5" very well marked with specs. and nomenclature and includes a lovely large AAF emblem. Unfortunately the Talon zip has some damage and will only partly close, but could possibly be repaired or replaced. Otherwise very clean throughout. A rare accessory.
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$75 / £55 / €65
 Stowage bag for AAF Type G-3A Pneumatic Flying Suit (G-suit) |  Stowage bag for AAF Type G-3A Pneumatic Flying Suit (G-suit) |
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 Stowage bag for AAF Type G-3A Pneumatic Flying Suit (G-suit) |
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 interesting history.
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$3,280 / £2,450 / €2,800
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 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |  Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
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 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |  Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |  Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |  Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |  Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
 Excellent original First Pattern (WWI) Sidcot Suit by Robinson and Cleaver with RNAS history |
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.
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$325 / £250 / €285
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 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
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 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |  French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
 French Air Force high-altitude flying suit, EFA Type 30, dated 1966, worn by Mirage pilots |
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. ​
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$550 / £410 / €470
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 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
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 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |  RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
 RAF 1940 Pattern Sidcot Flying Suit |
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.
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$220 / £165 / €190
 RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |  RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |
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 RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |  RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |
 RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |  RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |
 RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |  RAF Sidcot Suit quilted liner for the 1940 Pattern suit. |
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).
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$175 / £130 / €150
 RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |  RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |
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 RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |  RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |
 RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |  RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |
 RAF Suit, Combination, Drab. Summer one-piece overall for ground crews serving in Malta, North Afric |
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.
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$375 / £280 / €325
 RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |  RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |
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 RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |  RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |
 RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |  RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |
 RAF brown suede Mosquito Boots. |
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.
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$150 / £110 / €130
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 RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |  RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |
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 RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |  RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |
 RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |  RAF issue "Short Sea Boot Stockings" dated 1942. |
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.
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$495 / £380 / €440
 RAF Mosquito boots |  DSCN6686 |
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 DSCN6687 |  DSCN6685 |
 RAF Mosquito boots |  DSCN6682 |
 DSCN6684 |
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."
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$750 / £580 / €680
 Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |  Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |
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 Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |  Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |
 Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |  Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |
 Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |  Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |
 Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |  Luftwaffe blue suede channel trousers, early wartime |
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.​
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$75 / £60 / €70
 AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |  AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |
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 AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |  AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |
 AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |  AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |
 AAF flying suit suspenders (braces) for the A-8 and A-9 flying suit pants |
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.​
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$125 / £98 / €115
 Italian Paratrooper knee pads |  Italian Paratrooper knee pads |
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 Italian Paratrooper knee pads |
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).
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$110 / £85 / €100
 RAF Type D electrically-heated bootees, matched pair |  RAF Type D electrically-heated bootees, matched pair |
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 RAF Type D electrically-heated bootees, matched pair |  RAF Type D electrically-heated bootees, matched pair |
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.​
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$65 / £55 / €62
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 US Army OD green woolen knit mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb. |  US Army OD green woolen knit mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb. |
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 US Army OD green woolen knit mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb. |  US Army OD green woolen knit mittens with separate trigger finger and thumb. |
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
 RAF silk liners for 1933 Pattern Flying Gloves |  RAF silk liners for 1933 Pattern Flying Gloves |
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 RAF silk liners for 1933 Pattern Flying Gloves |  RAF silk liners for 1933 Pattern Flying Gloves |
 RAF silk liners for 1933 Pattern Flying Gloves |
Scarce AAF Type N-2 Extreme Cold Weather/emergency/
rescue mittens for aircrews.
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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.
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$65 / £50 / €60
 Scarce AAF Type N-2 Extreme Cold Weather/emergency/Â rescue mittens for aircrews |  Scarce AAF Type N-2 Extreme Cold Weather/emergency/Â rescue mittens for aircrews |
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 Scarce AAF Type N-2 Extreme Cold Weather/emergency/Â rescue mittens for aircrews |
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.
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$75 / £60 / €68
 AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |  AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |
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 AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |  AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |
 AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |  AAF Type Q-1 electrically-heated shoe inserts for high altitude flight, mostly bomber crews |
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.
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$110 / £88 / €102
 AAF Intermediate Flying Gloves Type AN-G-29 |  AAF Intermediate Flying Gloves Type AN-G-29 |
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 AAF Intermediate Flying Gloves Type AN-G-29 |
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.
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$75 / £60 / €70
 AAF A-2 original knit waistband |  AAF A-2 original knit waistband |
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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.
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$135 / £110 / €125
 USN air gunner's mittens with trigger finger |  DSCN7303 |
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 IMG_9163 |  DSCN7304 |
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.
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$135 / £110 / €125
 USN air gunner's mittens with trigger finger |  USN air gunner's mittens with trigger finger |
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 DSCN5745 |  DSCN5744 |
 USN air gunner's mittens with trigger finger |
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.
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$175 / £135 / €160
 RAF Mk 14 Flying Suit to a Hawk pilot with 234 squadron |  RAF Mk 14 Flying Suit to a Hawk pilot with 234 squadron |
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 DSCN3493 |  DSCN3490 |
 DSCN3494 |  DSCN3492 |
 DSCN3491 |