LUFTWAFFE jackets - Eagles who Dare to Wear..!

Jokerswild7 · Nov 16, 2005

Just curious. I saw a couple on a usual google search. I was just wondering if any of you all own one of these. Links to purchase would be neat as well.

Since Im fairly new, please excuse this is there is an existing topic.

Glenn

ShanghaiJack · Nov 16, 2005

Luft

I own all 3 versions of Eastman's repros.
Hartmann: 1 Black, 1 Brown
Eastman Luftwaffe House Version: 1 Black

I like them all, the Hartmann's are definately a trim fit.
It's best described as a leather flying "shirt".
The Eastman House Style Luftwaffe Jacket, is a more
flexible/versitile garment. Each is an accurate copy
of what was available to Luftwaffe Pilots then. All are excellent in quality.

SJ

Jokerswild7 · Nov 16, 2005

Thanks SJ. I was looking at the eastmans, nice stuff I would say. Are they all overall good quality? As I was looking into Eastman Jackets previously.

Glenn

DanielJones · Nov 29, 2005

You might check these out.
http://www.flightsuits.com/leather_luftwaffe.html

http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/luft_luftwaffe.htm

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=235024

I'm quite sure there are others out there, but these were the few I could find.

Cheers!

Dan

Jokerswild7 · Nov 29, 2005

Cool! Thanks for the links Dan!

Glenn

aswatland · Jul 24, 2007

Luftwaffe Jacket (?)

I bought this German Jacket from Germany some time ago. Paid less than half the amount for an ELC Luftwaffe repro! There is no evidence any insignia was worn on it and it may just be a German bike jacket, but of course not all Luftwaffe jackets had insignia anyway.There were many styles of leather Luftwaffe jackets and I have seen identical ones with the full insignia. It is made of cowhide and has a nice grain. The zips are all by Zip. The main zip slider is a deco Zipp replacement as the original cast slider had lost its puller. It's a very comfortable jacket to wear and I love the square, slightly padded shoulders.

PADDY · Jul 24, 2007

Andrew, that is such a honey of a jacket.

Not sure how PC this is, but, I love the Luftwaffe kit! Those boys had style by the bucketloads.
That looks as potentially authentic as the next one. Sadly Luftwaffe private purchase jackets are so numerous online, that they have become like 'the pieces of the Cross' as far as flight jackets are concerned [huh]

You have the right attitude for just liking it as a nice vintage German jacket. You don't happen to have the Luftwaffe officer's crusher or garrison cap to strike a pose while you wear it do you?

What size is it Andrew (you're about a 44 aren't you in your A-2's?).

Smashing lining too. You can get the repro bullion epaulettes you know!!! Herr Oberst.

Oh, I take it you broke up on Friday. Enjoy your wind down!! sounded like a hard few terms.

aswatland · Jul 24, 2007

PADDY said:
Not sure how PC this is, but, I love the Luftwaffe kit! Those boys had style by the bucketloads.
That looks as potentially authentic as the next one. Sadly Luftwaffe private purchase jackets are so numerous online, that they have become like 'the pieces of the Cross' as far as flight jackets are concerned [huh]

You have the right attitude for just liking it as a nice vintage German jacket. You don't happen to have the Luftwaffe officer's crusher or garrison cap to strike a pose while you wear it do you?

What size is it Andrew (you're about a 44 aren't you in your A-2's?).

Smashing lining too. You can get the repro bullion epaulettes you know!!! Herr Oberst.

Oh, I take it you broke up on Friday. Enjoy your wind down!! sounded like a hard few terms.

It's a size 42. I have a 38 chest so I wear originals from a 42 to 44. I know its not PC, but just like the style of the jacket. I do not have any other Luftwaffe gear. Yes, broke up on Friday and start my next headship in September. So I have a bit more time to devote to jackets!

Edward · Jul 24, 2007

PADDY said:
Not sure how PC this is, but, I love the Luftwaffe kit! Those boys had style by the bucketloads.

Now now, Herr Paddy, you know what happened to Bryan Ferry!

Have to admit, I'm the same. It goes without saying that Nazism is bad and evil, but I have to admit to long having held the belief that for the most part they also had the best tailors. And hey... not to diminish the dreadful things that were done in the name of Nazism, a lot of the boys who wore those uniforms probably in their own hearts and minds were only fighting as they saw it for their own freedom / country / people... Anyhow...

That looks as potentially authentic as the next one. Sadly Luftwaffe private purchase jackets are so numerous online, that they have become like 'the pieces of the Cross' as far as flight jackets are concerned [huh]

I've learned from the FL that there was no such thing as an issued leather jacket for the Luftwaffe boys, so they were all officially tolerated private purchase, right? I'd have thought that made it almost impossible to tell whether a jacket from the correct period and in the right style would have been worn or not...

That jacket looks great. Much as I have come to love the allied flight jackets, sometimes only black leather will do! Even if it never saw service, it's still a great period jacket and you can't beat that.

aswatland · Jul 24, 2007

I agree with you. There were issued leather jackets later in the War, including those worn by the ME 262 pilots.

Many Luftwaffe pilots were not Nazis at all. I am no fan of the Nazis, just like some of the German jackets, which were top quality. the stitching on this one is much better than on many allied jackets in my collection!

Edward · Jul 24, 2007

aswatland said:
I agree with you. There were issued leather jackets later in the War, including those worn by the ME 262 pilots.

Many Luftwaffe pilots were not Nazis at all. I am no fan of the Nazis, just like some of the German jackets, which were top quality. the stitching on this one is much better than on many allied jackets in my collection!

I've not had the chance to see much of it up close, but I have read that a lot of the Nazi stuff (at least in the early part of the war) was superior. I'd love an Eastman repro of the black, blue-linen lined jacket - that's the ME one, right? - someday.

BellyTank · Jul 24, 2007

Nothing un-PC in wearing a 1950s German leather jacket.
Styles like this and similar were made from pre-war until the '60s.
German style- not Luftwaffe style.

Ebay.de, as ebay.com, is awash with Luftwaffe jackets.
Probably only about 10% of them are even wartime, or pre-war
examples- forget about Luftwaffe use.

Don't believe it.

B
T

aswatland · Jul 24, 2007

You are right about this style of German jacket being produced from the 1930s to the 1960s. This one probably dates from the late 30s/40s. The Prym 6 Deco snaps were only used on the earlier jackets, not those from the '50s. The Zipp zips are typical wartime designs by this Swiss maker.

DOUGLAS · Jul 24, 2007

That is a great looking jacket no matter when it was made.

Erik · Jul 25, 2007

Nice looking jacket regardless of who did or didn't have it issued to them.

Dixon Cannon · Jul 25, 2007

Ja, ja! Ist zehr gut! Ausgesichnet!

Herr Dixon von Cannon

Phil · Jul 25, 2007

I like it. Very nice. Actually, interesting story. One of my friend's, his grandfather was on a raid for what they thought was an ammo and weapons depot. When they bust through the doors and walls, it was a clothing warehouse. Had a total of 5 soldiers who surrendered. Apparently his grandfather left with a brand new officer's jacket and a brand new pilot jacket, that sounds like yours. Except it had swastikas and eagles stamped into the leather around pockets and such making his rather unwearable.

Edward · Jul 25, 2007

As an aside, but related, questionto this thread..... how does "private purchase" work in the forces? Is it like - to use a crude analogy - a school uniform list where there are certain optional extras (winter coat, scarf, gloves, etc) that are not an obligatory part of the uniform, but may be worn with it? How do they put limitations around it (I'm presuming that outside of the field during wartime they're a lot stricter on what does and does not get worn)?

Smithy · Jul 25, 2007

aswatland said:
There were issued leather jackets later in the War

The Luftwaffe's not my strong point but I was under the impression that the white leather summer flying jacket was an issue item as early as the BoB. Anybody know about this?

aswatland · Jul 25, 2007

Smithy said:
The Luftwaffe's not my strong point but I was under the impression that the white leather summer flying jacket was an issue item as early as the BoB. Anybody know about this?

I am not quite sure which jacket you are referring to. They were issued with a white flying jacket made of light weight material with blue-grey knit collar and waistband. They also had available an undyed sheepskin jacket. Later in the war some Luftwaffe pilots were issued with a blue-grey "Channel" suit jacket, made of light weight cloth. The best guide is Prodger's book-Luftwaffe vs RAF.

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