RAF flying gloves

Big J · Feb 18, 2015

Does anyone own a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (either model), and if so, how warm are they? Are they lined? I remember reading that RAF bomber crews often wore other gloves inside them for warmth.

I know that Deacon, like myself, is partial to the Cold War-era RAF white leather flying gloves. Does anyone own a pair of these? Are they lined/warm?

archbury918 · Feb 18, 2015

The original AM design for the gloves is a leather lining. Designed more for protection from cockpit fire than warmth. As with the USAAF B-3 gloves, it provided a level of protection yet allowed for 'feel' of the controls. Both services wore a silk lined glove underneath for a bit of warmth w/o restricting that 'feel'.
I was unaware Aero was making them again. I have a pair of Garcia 'straight zip'. Not bad for the price.

archbury918 · Feb 18, 2015

Here are pix of originals.

eggleman · Feb 18, 2015

There is no lining to the hand area , but the wrist/arm section is leather lined.

Stand By · Feb 18, 2015

I have a pair of the Aero gloves and no, as stated already, they're not lined.
I chose to go one size up so I could wear them with a thin pair of warm glove liners, and they're amazing in even the coldest of temps - and the manual dexterity with them is surprisingly excellent. I mean, I can tie the ties on a plastic dog poop bag with them, so I don't need to take them off to do so, which is perfect when it's cold!

Stearmen · Feb 19, 2015

Stand By said:
I have a pair of the Aero gloves and no, as stated already, they're not lined.
I chose to go one size up so I could wear them with a thin pair of warm glove liners, and they're amazing in even the coldest of temps - and the manual dexterity with them is surprisingly excellent. I mean, I can tie the ties on a plastic dog poop bag with them, so I don't need to take them off to do so, which is perfect when it's cold!

What kind of liners are you using?

highhope · Feb 19, 2015

Big J said:
Does anyone own a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (either model), and if so, how warm are they? Are they lined? I remember reading that RAF bomber crews often wore other gloves inside them for warmth.

I know that Deacon, like myself, is partial to the Cold War-era RAF white leather flying gloves. Does anyone own a pair of these? Are they lined/warm?

Hi

I have a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (the early model) - they're goatskin and very well made. They're not lined and I'm not sure if the originals are but I prefer my flying gloves unlined to give me the sensitivity when pushing switches, holding the control column while flying.

I've had them many years and they've lasted beautifully - if I need more warmth, standard current issue RAF gloves fit well underneath them.

IXL · Feb 19, 2015

Those gloves look like they would be great for use while riding a motorcycle.

archbury918 · Feb 19, 2015

yes, they are perfect for cycles. and for approx $60 USD a damn good deal

Deacon211 · Feb 19, 2015

Wow, that's a great price!

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Deacon211 · Feb 19, 2015

Well, that turned out to be expensive! LOL!

XLs enroute.

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Edward · Feb 19, 2015

Iconsdiered the Aeros a few years ago for a Beijing Winter, but the lack of lining in them meant they weren't ideal for me, so I ended up with a pair of cheap sheepskin gloves that did the job nicely. If you're happy to wear a different pair as a liner, though, the Aero ones are nice. I imagine the lack of liner (while still offering a level of hanf protection) might make them nice bike gloves for the Summer.

Stand By · Feb 26, 2015

Stearmen said:
What kind of liners are you using?

Sorry for the delay - been away in UT for a week in the mountains. Man, what a beautiful state !!!

The liners I use are silk - I bought another pair whilst I was in UT at a ski gear shop for $25. Marvellous.

Stearmen · Feb 27, 2015

Stand By said:
Sorry for the delay - been away in UT for a week in the mountains. Man, what a beautiful state !!!

The liners I use are silk - I bought another pair whilst I was in UT at a ski gear shop for $25. Marvellous.

Thanks!

Deacon211 · Feb 27, 2015

Sorry, bit of a delay there.

The gloves came in a few days ago.

Overall, nicely made. Thin, but they are flying gloves and these are no thinner than my issue Nomex gloves with the capeskin palms.

The only downside and something of note to those who might consider ordering these is that they run pretty small. I wear a L in Isotoner lined leather gloves and so I ordered XLs in the Aero gauntlets in order to layer them as we have been discussing. As it stands, there is no way I would be able to get another pair of gloves under these. In fact, they are pretty tight even as is. If you have larger hands....and mine aren't exactly two hams...then you may want to think twice about these.

As it stands, I'm not sure what to do with these. While the gloves were relatively reasonable, the shipping almost doubled the cost. So, I may just keep them and try to stretch them out a bit though, for the price, perhaps I should pass them on and try to get at least some of the cost back since they don't fit quite right.

Deacon

B-24J · Feb 27, 2015

RAF Gloves

Comparison of RAF and Aero Glove.

RAF on left:

The King's Crown is barely visible

RAF interior - has fabric.

Aero interior

The RAF glove leather is far superior. But, for a repro, the Aero's are OK. I have a better pair of the RAF gloves packed away at the moment. I will post them - if I can dig them out!

GREAT jacket Deacon!

John

B-24J · Feb 27, 2015

Modern RAF White Gloves

They are not really desgined for warmth. They are almost like a ladies evening glove.

I imagine they are great for flying modern aircraft.

I have used these under the Aero RAF gloves. Warmer that way.

John

B-24J · Feb 27, 2015

Private Purchase Sheepskin Gloves

In an instruction film for the Wellington bomber, the tail gunner (the coldest position) was wearing a pair very similar to these with his full Irvin Suit. That is the reason I bought them. Very comfortable.

John

Deacon211 · Feb 27, 2015

Wow! Nice collection John! I especially love the white gloves. One of the guys in a neighboring squadron had done an exchange tour and had scored a set of these. The rest of us were all very jealous.

I like the Aeros. I just wish they were a bit bigger.

Oh, thanks for the compliment. That's my ELC '38 pattern with one, very cold, season under her belt. She's breaking in nicely. Dig the character on your original!

archbury918 · Feb 27, 2015

Have you considered soaking them in water to get them to stretch a bit?

RAF flying gloves

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