RAF Aircrew Boots

[archbury918]

Big J, you asked about quality? If you follow the link to the boots on the WPG site, you will see about a dozen reviews from customers. It should answer your questions.

 

[Spitfire]

I have never actually seen a pair of WPG 1936 pattern boots - but somehow they do not look like the real thing.
They have been discussed previously here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?26585-Flying-boots

But if accuracy is not important, go for it!

 

[Big J]

I have never actually seen a pair of WPG 1936 pattern boots - but somehow they do not look like the real thing.
They have been discussed previously here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?26585-Flying-boots

But if accuracy is not important, go for it!

I agree, they aren't quite as 'right' as the Aero boots, which look amazing. Unfortunately, Aero don't make them in a US size 14, so unless I'm willing to give up my toes, I'm not going to buy some, which is a real shame.
Unlike jackets, I guess it's impossible for Aero to do me a one-off pair in my size, and I'm guessing that demand for a bigger size isn't enough to warrant production.
Sad boy I am.

 

[Deacon211]

Hehe, it's funny. I thought this thread was dead!

Of course, about the time I began wondering if these were for me we get a historic snow in Kentucky.

Someone trying to tell me something?

I wish I knew a little more about sizing. I would normally lean towards a 12. But if they are a bit narrow, I could easily fit into the 13 both these places seem to have.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Spitfire]

I only wish that Aero would start making them again. And get the vamp and the "saddle-stitches" right this time.
But the ones from Lewis aren't too bad either. Not perfect. But close.
And yes, Deacon - I think somebody IS trying to tell you something!

 

[alsendk]

http://www.historicflyingclothing.com/raf-1936-pattern-flying-boots_item_10265#.VONK5PnF-So

Still for sale, but expensive. The fleece do have a rather dark colour here, far from off white. But interesting to see how the originals looked like

 

[Stand By]

Just say, "I dropped a Grand Slam on your car before I parked Mate!"

I normally just look blankly as they drolly amuse themselves, and I stand there looking completely uncomprehending … and then when they've finished, I look blankly - and then I give them a look as though a penny's just dropped and I startle myself and I say "OH! It's the jacket, right?! Ohhhh. Do you know, you're the first one to ever say anything. That's funny. It's never struck me before ….". Then I ignore them and go back to my pint.

 

[Big J]

I only wish that Aero would start making them again. And get the vamp and the "saddle-stitches" right this time.
But the ones from Lewis aren't too bad either. Not perfect. But close.
And yes, Deacon - I think somebody IS trying to tell you something!

Yeah!
All of the above! AND larger sizes!

 

[Big J]

I normally just look blankly as they drolly amuse themselves, and I stand there looking completely uncomprehending … and then when they've finished, I look blankly - and then I give them a look as though a penny's just dropped and I startle myself and I say "OH! It's the jacket, right?! Ohhhh. Do you know, you're the first one to ever say anything. That's funny. It's never struck me before ….". Then I ignore them and go back to my pint.

You know what, that's one thing I love about Japan- people still dress up to go out, and no one cares.

 

[Stand By]

As for the re-soling on my ELC boots, it was a must. As I said, they were devilishly slippery in wintry conditions and shovelling snow was an especially ridiculous state of affairs in them - as it wasn't possible to get any resistance when driving the shovel; I'd push the shovel and it would stay where it was and I'd move backwards!
So after just one winter (so this would be Spring of 1988 or 1989) I took mine to an old cobbler down the road from me who'd always been on the corner in Broomhill, Sheffield (next to Boots if anyone's local here) since I was a nipper - and I took them in there and said I wanted something with some grip but would still maintain the look of the boots - something appropriate.
He didn't blink and he pulled out some rubber soles (one for the heels, one for the front end ) - the name "Magna" comes to mind (?) and they stated Made In England on them - and he cobbled them on and they stayed on and I never had a single issue with them. The heel stack would sometimes get some salt stains on the sides and he'd buff them out at the end of a season but that was it. No rot or damp, no separation, no nothing - but then I was always polishing them and keeping them nice. They looked the part completely and when I traded them in with Gary at ELC a couple of years ago, he took photos for the Re-Issue section and they photographed really well, I thought.
The boots had a leather insole - and I found a sheepskin one and put that in on top - so it was all sheepskin in there. Utterly delightful!

And yes, Spitfire - alone with a single malt and an Irvin and those boots up on a table … just sheer contentment. I totally get it.

 

[Big J]

As for the re-soling on my ELC boots, it was a must. As I said, they were devilishly slippery in wintry conditions and shovelling snow was an especially ridiculous state of affairs in them - as it wasn't possible to get any resistance when driving the shovel; I'd push the shovel and it would stay where it was and I'd move backwards!
So after just one winter (so this would be Spring of 1988 or 1989) I took mine to an old cobbler down the road from me who'd always been on the corner in Broomhill, Sheffield (next to Boots if anyone's local here) since I was a nipper - and I took them in there and said I wanted something with some grip but would still maintain the look of the boots - something appropriate.
He didn't blink and he pulled out some rubber soles (one for the heels, one for the front end ) - the name "Magna" comes to mind (?) - and he cobbled them on and they stayed on and I never had a single issue with them. The heel stack would sometimes get some salt stains on the sides and he'd buff them out at the end of a season but that was it. No rot or damp, no separation, no nothing - but then I was always polishing them and keeping them nice. They looked the part completely and when I traded them in with Gary at ELC a couple of years ago, he took photos for the Re-Issue section and they photographed really well, I thought.
The boots had a leather insole - and I found a sheepskin one and put that in on top - so it was all sheepskin in there. Utterly delightful!

And yes, Spitfire - alone with a single malt and an Irvin and those boots up on a table … just sheer contentment. I totally get it.

Wow, that takes me back. I studied in Sheffield way back. Long winters, and seven hills, just like Rome. Oh! Snake Pass!

 

[Stand By]

Wow, that takes me back. I studied in Sheffield way back. Long winters, and seven hills, just like Rome. Oh! Snake Pass!

Indeed - and home was up on the highest of those hills at Lodge Moor. Windy much? It's the only place where one of my contact lenses was actually blown out!

 

[alsendk]

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

Found this site, fabricating repro RAF flying boots, sending worldwide, any size, door delivered.