WWI Aviator Look

[Mycroft]

I am trying to put together a WWI avitors look possible, any suggstions on sites, jackets, etc.?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Hey Mycroft,
I am so excited to hear this. I am doing the same thing. You have probably seen my humble first attemtps in my Newport thread.

Personally, I love this jacket, though I think it is misnamed: http://www.flightjacket.com/store/barnstormer.aspx It's called the "Barnstormer" though most photos I've seen of barnstormers, they were wearing 3/4 length double-breasted jackets. I would have called this the "Test Pilot," but that is just me. Perhaps, you are going for an earlier look.

Check out flightjacket.com

There are things to be found here as well: http://www.uswings.com/barnstormer.asp

Hey, good luck and let me know how you make out.

 

[Mycroft]

Very cool my friend, I am think a silk scarf, a webley revolver, and maybe some officer's pants/shirt from WWI will do, what do you think?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I think you're probably right.
The silk scarf is easy enough. They are everywhere, for no more than $30 or so. Of course, you need a leather jacket. You have an Indy jacket, I assume? That will do the trick.

 

[Mycroft]

I think you're probably right.
The silk scarf is easy enough. They are everywhere, for no more than $30 or so. Of course, you need a leather jacket. You have an Indy jacket, I assume? That will do the trick.

Nope, never owned a real jacket in my life, I live and have lived my entire life in Florida. I am moving up north or England for University, so I am looking for jackets. The Indy Jacket, lacks the the look of an aviator in my opion, because of the pockets, I guess.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

The Aero Barnstormer or the Eastman German WWI jacket.

Silk scarf

Riding breeches

Puttees see this page

Jodhpurs

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Nope, never owned a real jacket in my life, I live and have lived my entire life in Florida. I am moving up north or England for University, so I am looking for jackets. The Indy Jacket, lacks the the look of an aviator in my opion, because of the pockets, I guess.

Oh, lucky you (from a man who lives in Boston!). Don't let the pockets of an Indy jacket throw you off; many aviators, after the war, wore A-2s and they had the same pockets as an Indy jacket.
Assuming you had one was a bad assumption on my part. I guessed based on the fact that you mentioned a Webley, the pants, and shirt; basically, the essential Indy-kit. So, I was way-off on that one! As usual.

In any case, the leather flight jacket really makes the aviator look.

Good luck!

 

[Mycroft]

Oh, lucky you (from a man who lives in Boston!). Don't let the pockets of an Indy jacket throw you off; many aviators, after the war, wore A-2s and they had the same pockets as an Indy jacket.
Assuming you had one was a bad assumption on my part. I guessed based on the fact that you mentioned a Webley, the pants, and shirt; basically, the essential Indy-kit. So, I was way-off on that one! As usual.

In any case, the leather flight jacket really makes the aviator look.

Good luck!

Look, it was fine, people many Florida have Leather Jackets, but I wear a lot of sweaters instead when it is colder out. But, good work with the context clues(I am just playing). The Jacket makes it or breaks it.

 

[Zach R.]

BTW, here is a site with cheaper silk scarves, I assume around the same quality as the ones at FS, except not marked up ridiculously.

Flight Helmets and Accessories

 

[Mycroft]

Very cool my frend, thanks.

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

I actually did this about a year ago when I went skiing. Everyone in my group who went skiing had a different outfit. I went as an aviator, my brother went as a Pirate, my other brother went as a simmer of some kind, and my cousins went as a ninja and a sherpa:


Hint, I'm the one in the middle

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Sorry, forgot to specify what I used. I got a flight cap, vintage goggles, and a white silk scarf (from garcia aviation) off of ebay, then I wore my indy jacket, indy pants and shirt, and a black tie. I think it came out pretty good for a thrown together costume.

 

[MudInYerEye]

Type A-1 jacket (woolen or leather) or Barstormer coat, moleskin or duck breehes, silk scarf, googles, leather puttees, low quarter boots.

 

[BellyTank]

It's not actually that easy-

All WW1 aviators wore breeches/jodphurs with either low boots/high puttees/high leather gaiters, or high boots. American flyers can be seen wearing cloth trench coats and leather variants in warmer weather and usually a heavy, fur lined one-piece leather suit AND leather coat in colder weather. (imagine an open cockpit in winter....)

Germans often wore a 3/4 length DB leather coat and high riding boots.

You can find many photos of Eddie Rickenbacker wearing a 3/4 trench coat over his service uniform and also many images of Manfred von Richthofen wearing a 3/4 leather coat and high boots.



There can be a distinct difference between the common conception of WW1 pilots' gear and actual flying gear. We tend to think of the dashing 3/4 length coat, breeches and boots image. What we see in posed photos is the glamourous ensemble, not necessarily the cumbersome and unglamourous flying clothing.

Short leather jackets were not common at this time but later became popular between the Wars- the Barnstorming, private aviation and Mail Pilot thing.
The A-1 type jacket was a post-WW1 style -around mid '20s up to the beginning of WW2.
It was a military version of a civilian sporting jacket.

To make an impression as a WW1 aviator you really need the riding breeches- (this sets you apart and defines the era)a leather coat would complete the impression. Of course you need a flying helmet, scarf and goggles-

B
T

 

[PADDY]

WW1 leather helmet...

Garcia, do a nice leather version and reasonably priced. Personally, I think the A-1 is a cracking wee jacket and versatile so that you can wear it comfortably with jeans as much as with jodphurs!! Depending on how you want to dress up during the day!

 

[Zemke Fan]

It's not actually that easy-

All WW1 aviators wore breeches/jodphurs with either low boots/high puttees/high leather gaiters, or high boots. American flyers can be seen wearing cloth trench coats and leather variants in warmer weather and usually a heavy, fur lined one-piece leather suit AND leather coat in colder weather. (imagine an open cockpit in winter....)

Germans often wore a 3/4 length DB leather coat and high riding boots.

You can find many photos of Eddie Rickenbacker wearing a 3/4 trench coat over his service uniform and also many images of Manfred von Richthofen wearing a 3/4 leather coat and high boots.

There can be a distinct difference between the common conception of WW1 pilots' gear and actual flying gear. We tend to think of the dashing 3/4 length coat, breeches and boots image. What we see in posed photos is the glamourous ensemble, not necessarily the cumbersome and unglamourous flying clothing.

Short leather jackets were not common at this time but later became popular between the Wars- the Barnstorming, private aviation and Mail Pilot thing.
The A-1 type jacket was a post-WW1 style -around mid '20s up to the beginning of WW2.

It was a military version of a civilian sporting jacket.

To make an impression as a WW1 aviator you really need the riding breeches- (this sets you apart and defines the era) a leather coat would complete the impression. Of course you need a flying helmet, scarf and goggles-

Geez, BT... How DO you know all of this stuff?!!

MYCROFT: The second MaGuire book (More Silver Wings, Pinks, and Greens) has a lot of useful information for WWI, between the Wars, WWII, and CAP. I would also suggest the Osprey "Men-at-Arms" series. (I haven't checked anything but the WWII volumes, but I know they have WWI titles.)

 

[up196]

Flying jackets

Cirrus in the UK has a selection of long and 3/4 length motoring and flying jackets. Looks like nice stuff, but the prices are high. The style #6 (sheepskin) under flying jackets may be what you're looking for. Take a look . . .

www.flyingjacket.com

 

[BellyTank]

Zemke-
I just make it up as I go along...

B
T

 

[Mojave Jack]

I think it depends, too, on whether you're going for a military look for re-enacting and special events, or just for an aviator look in your daily wear. If it's the latter, watch The Great Waldo Pepper. Great period flick with a lot of variety in clothing to borrow from. The riding boots or leather puttees are almost a requirement, but since it's tough for guys to walk around in tall boots these days...! Waldo Pepper gives you a few options for the look without the boots.

Actually, Mycroft, your sweaters will serve you well, since they were commonly worn by pilots, such as the classic RAF turtleneck sweater. Eastman Leather has one that looks to be pretty good. I'm sure Paddy has one of these and can advise!

 

[BellyTank]

But unfortunately, Eastman's RAF sweater is nothing like what the RAF used...
...it's more like a RN Submariner's sweater.:cry:

B
T