JAYS' FLIGHTWEAR - VINTAGE HALL OF FAME. A LOOK AT FLIGHTSUITS, MEMORABILIA, RECRUITMENT AND PROPOGANDA POSTER ART AND ALL THINGS CONNECTED WITH THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN & WOMEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES ACROSS THE YEARS.
Jays Flightwear, Throstle Nest Mill, Nelson, Lancashire, England BB9 7QZ. Tel (+44) 01282 677902
To view: Click on first image, then use your keyboard arrows to move backwards and forwards. To exit, press 'X' on your keyboard.
Seen above are several various styles of flying suits across the ages. On the top left, a group of RAF pilots pose in their uniforms - which many of them flew in. The RAAF poster suggests an overall-style flightsuit, as favoured by Douglas Bader himself in the next picture. The USAAF recruitment poster shows a more casual style of (short-sleeved) flight wear. Jumping back to WW1, legendary fighter ace Baron Richthofen appears in a fur coat as his flightwear. (This is possibly to be expected, the German pilots of WW1 kept their original units' uniform when they moved to flying duties. The Red Baron would have flown his early missions wearing his Cavalry uniform!). Finally, on the end right, an art-noveau-style poster of two officers in regular uniforms (who may or may not be pilots!) inspecting a monoplane.
Below, we have some more illustrations of flight wear across the ages.
First left, is a picture of WW1 German fighter ace Ernst Boelcke, and lady friend, sporting a neat line in flying helmets. Next, a group of pilots of the USN being briefed prior to a mission. Their flightwear looks practical if uncomfortable. In the middle we have two recruitment posters - a rare Russian one and an RAF (post WW1) poster offering as much as 12/- (12 shillings) in pay. After that is a picture of an African- American fighter squadron relaxing between missions, again, the flightwear seems casual. At the extreme right we have a stylishly-dressed fighter ace Erich Hartman (352 kills), note well-cut uniform and leather gloves.
Solo, Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro, Mastercard and Paypal are all accepted by Jays Flightwear.
