Description
Great for a WWII reenactor or collector of US military memorabilia, this authentic, olive drab gabardine US Army Air Force L-1 flight suit became standard in late 1944, near the end of WWII. It replaced earlier types of lightweight flying suits produced for the USAAF, from November of 1944 through the end of the war. This particular type of flight suit was still produced and still worn by pilots and other aircrew of the later renamed US Air Force until early in the Korean War period, around 1950. The suit is made of lightweight olive green wool gabardine, with metal Talon zippers fastening the zip-front opening from collar to crotch, and its many pockets. In addition, 2 side seam hip pockets close with buttons. The suit also has a leather-covered metal spring clip on the left leg, and zips at the tapered leg hems to make it easier to get on and off over boots. The upper back of the suit has vertical pleats for greater ease of arm movement. An inset half-belt in back is adjustable with 3 buttons on each side of the waist. Metal grommets under each arm allow for a bit of air flow. In very good, sturdy and wearable condition, the flight suit is slightly faded from age and has scattered small moth munches and a few tiny picks in the gabardine fabric. (The most noticeable munches are on the upper right chest, the left sleeve, and the back left leg near the hem—see my photos for the most noticeable of them.) The suit has been recently dry. cleaned and has no other issues to note. Labeled a size medium regular 38 to 40, it should fit up to a modern men’s 40 or M. I have it shown here on my female mannequin because the chest size is a bit too tight to fit properly on my male mannequin. It looks great on her, too! See my last photo for an example of how the flight suit would have looked when worn on actual flight crew members.
Size: Medium Regular (38 to 40).
- Chest: 43 inches flat, to fit up to 40 loosely.
- Waist: adjusts from 32 to 36 inches with buttons.
- Hip: 44 inches flat.
- Sleeve length: men’s 33.5 (24 inches from shoulder seam).
- Total length: 61 inches from back of neck to hem.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 19 inches.
- Back of neck waist length: 19 inches.
- Waist to hem length (outseam): 40 inches.
- Inseam: 29 inches (fits longer when worn because of dropped crotch).
Label:
- Army Air Forces, stamped on inside back of neck.
- Suit, Flying, Light, Gabardine, Type L-1.
- AAF Stock Number 8300-784880.
- The H.D. Lee and Company Inc.
