Original Item: Only One Available. Flight suits were worn by pilots and crew members of the AAF for practicality, comfort, and protection from the elements. Flight suit material varied from khaki cotton and lightweight wool gabardines for summer wear, to heavy shearling-lined leather for winter and high altitude wear.

Since early airplanes were not pressurized cabins the crew was subjected to harsh weather elements so there were even electrical suits that plugged into the aircraft's electrical systems to keep the soldier warm.

The flight suit has continued to evolve and some materials are fire retardant. But all have uses and pockets to house pens, papers and other items both practical and personal in nature.

This flight suit example is the Suit, Summer, Flying, Type A-4 and was standardized in 1930. The flight suit itself is constructed of an OD color Gabardine. Gabardine is a durable twill worsted wool, a tightly woven fabric originally waterproof and used to make suits, overcoats, trousers, uniforms, windbreakers, outerwear and other garments, such as flight suits and various other types of military clothing. The suit itself is in wonderful condition and still retains the original gabardine belt as well as a complete tag located on the interior back:

TYPE A-4
DRAWING NO. 30-732
A.C. ORDER NO. 43-2626
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY
36

The front left side of the suit has a lovely 4 ½” x 5” round wool patch featuring a blue image of a “Winged Donkey”, the symbol used by the 4th Airlift Squadron as well as various other squadrons during and after WWII. The patch appears to be period correct and was hand stitched on.

A lovely example that comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 21.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 17"
Hip width: 17”
Front length: 57.5"