D. Lewis, white summer flight suit?

[Flieger]

Been looking for a repro of this one but I've come up dry so far. Any hints?

/F

 

[BellyTank]

Hej, Flieger.

"Replicaters", the India-based reenactor repro uniform maker makes a "copy" of the famous "Prestige Suit", which is associated with pre-war/early war RAF pilots.

http://www.replicaters.com/ww2rafuniforms.html

...scroll down.

http://www.replicaters.com/ww2 raf/prestige suit.jpg


B
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[Flieger]

Lovely. I knew this was the right place to ask. Thanks BT!

/F

 

[BellyTank]

You're very welcome.
I don't know how "good" his copy is- beware.

Pegasus Militaria, http://www.pegasusmilitaria.com/
used to make a Prestige Suit but it doesn't appear on his web site-
maybe try emailing him- he does a lot of gear that's not on the site but in his "back catalogue".

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[Creeping Past]

Not sure about the availability of particular items, but I can back up BT's statement about Pegasus, having bought items from him before. He's skilled, highly knowledgeable, cares about what he does and uses high-quality materials. And he's an interesting, engaging chap to talk to.

Certainly worth asking...

 

[BellyTank]

...and some judicious GooGling confirmed my suspicions, that, YES,
Pegasus HAS definitely made the Prestige suit before.

...and YES again, Sanjay Suri, of Replicaters, is typically agreeable and accommodating, via email, Sir, yes Sir.... best avoided if Mr. Pegasus,
Steve Kiddle can do you a set, whilst engaging you in the realities of repro making.

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[H.Johnson]

You're very welcome.
I don't know how "good" his copy is- beware.

Pegasus Militaria, http://www.pegasusmilitaria.com/
used to make a Prestige Suit but it doesn't appear on his web site-
maybe try emailing him- he does a lot of gear that's not on the site but in his "back catalogue".

B
T

A better move all round...except perhaps price...

 

[Pip]

Whole heartedly agree on the Pegasus vote.

Steve made mine and I'm extremely happy with it. Its also worth noting he does them in black/dark blue.

Not the world's best photo as it has a Mae West over the top...

 

[Fletch]

Other than for some Hollywood musical with cotton clouds and a rhinestone plane, what could have been the possible purpose of a white flightsuit? Wasn't khaki just fine for summer, and much more suited to wartime?

 

[H.Johnson]

Nope - black or blue was OK for some, but for others it had to be white. Never khaki - an army colour until much later in the war. The name tells you why - prestige suit. It went with Brylcreem. White overalls were what top racing car and speedboat drivers wore at the time.

 

[Pip]

Mr Johnson's quite right here.

The prestige suit is a predominantly pre-war and very early war item. It was never really intended to do anything other than protect the Service Dress uniform from wear and tear experienced whilst in/around aircraft.

They also contributed greatly to the "knights of the sky" image crafted during the 1930's, being seen at large airpower displays and airshows.

 

[Fletch]

Yes H, forgive me, but I come from a country where the Army had the Air Force until very, very late in the day. The USAF didn't even get their blues till they'd been a separate service for 5 years or so.

The air show theory makes perfect sense. After all, what purpose did any combat air arm have during the 30s besides public service and/or public spectacle?

I still can't see anybody below the rank of Col. Roscoe Turner ever wearing a white flightsuit, but what a lovely sight it must have been.

 

[H.Johnson]

Quite right. Prestige suits relate to the pre-war period when the boundaries between military and sport flying were much more vague than they became in war time. As has been pointed out, such suits were regarded more as overalls than flying suits and do give an image of doing a quick open cockpit display before peeling off and popping into the refreshment tent in pristine service dress.

When war broke out (that could almost become a catch phrase) wearing a prestige suit on active service marked out the 'career' flyers from the HO (hostilities only) or Reservists.

 

[Spitfire]

Just a couple of pics from the good ol' days.

Quite a classy suite.

P.S. Also remember a great photo with some 43 Squadron pilots taken pre-war. Just can't find it now.

Found it:

 

[Absinthe_1900]

Philadelphia PA. 1930s

From my collection of aviation junk.

 

[Fletch]

Is that a parachute pack on the wing?
Wouldn't parachuting out of a 'giro be more dangerous than going down in one?

 

[Absinthe_1900]

Bill McAvoy, and passenger bailed out and survived intact with a prototype Pitcairn in the 30s.

Generally they were very safe machines.

 

[Spitfire]

What happened Flieger? Did you manage to get one?

 

[Flieger]

Nah, sorry Spitfire. At the prices the charge for repros I kind of lost interest. But this thread helped me with info on how to make a pilot for my prototype Spitfire project. :eusa_clap

/F

 

[Spitfire]

Great - something good came out of it anyway then. Best of luck with the project my friend.