Silk Aviator Scarves

[SamMarlowPI]

It's starting to get cold up here and I would like to get a scarf to go with my flight jackets. I've been looking at the old style, white, 100% silk scarves the pilots wore and wondering if they're warm...? I would think they would have to be if pilots were wearing them waaaay up in the wild blue but then again, its silk and i woud think it would get cold to the touch in 20 and dropping weather...thanks for the help, and sorry if i missed another thread similar to this...that's become a bad habit of mine on here...

like this

 

[Smithy]

Silk is warmish Sam but the real reason why silk was popular was to protect the neck from chaffing as a pilot was constantly turning his head to scan for enemy aircraft.

In comparison WWI pilots tended to wear woollen scarves (although most people erroneously think of them with a silk scarf flowing) as warmth was a priority in an open cockpit.

Grab a silk scarf, they tend to make anybody look slightly dashing!

 

[SamMarlowPI]

ah, yes i remember that now, about the constant turning of the neck...i guess it wouldn't hurt to get one as long at keeps my neck warm...

 

[Tomasso]

wondering if they're warm...?

I usually switch from silk to wool when the temp dips into the 30's.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

what kind of wool scarves did our boys use back then?

 

[Smithy]

what kind of wool scarves did our boys use back then?

Any old thing.

During WWI pilots tended to favour long woollen scarves they could wrap around several times and which they'd use to cover their mouths and lower face with (partly for warmth, partly to keep oil out of their mouths).

During WWII, those who did use woollen scarves used all sorts of homemade, and bought ones. There was no prescribed or regularly seen woollen versions. Although it must be said, silk and rayon scarves were more popular and more commonly seen.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

thanks Smithy, i'll check out Rayon too..

 

[Doug C]

Who makes a good silk repro?

Doug C

 

[SamMarlowPI]

Who makes a good silk repro?

Doug C

i just bought one from U.S. Wings with an embroidered 'USAAC' and prop...haven't got it yet so i'll let you know the quality...i think its 4in wide and 6ft long or something like that...

 

[SamMarlowPI]

just got my US Wings scarf...nice silk, good embroidering...ties good too...

 

[Hemingway Jones]

A bit of housekeeping, this thread is better suited to General Attire and Accouterments. In fact, I think we may have another thread on this very subject.

 

[Twitch]

The reason they used silk scarves was for comfort in the cockpit. The scarves protected the neck from the wooly flight suit collars. Pilots were taught to "rubberneck" constantly so they aren't surprised by the enemy. Without those scarves a neck would be bleeding in an hour.

My Dad