WWI Aviators Clothing and Uniforms

"Fug" boots are generally considered to have been invented by Lanoe Hawker (who, since he was flying a DH-2 with no warm engine between him and the cold, probably had a lot of incentive working for him). They were basically a kind of hip-wader, but lined with fur or fleece (and sometimes covered that way as well). Even after the introduction of the Sidcot flying suit, pilots continued to wear them for added protection against the cold, especially in the non-summer months.

"Fug," by the way, is a slang term meaning close and fusty, as in the warm stuffiness of an RFC mess (in which, we are told, the windows were never opened, even in summer, because pilots treasured being warm).

From what I remember of photos taken on 17 December 1903, the Wrights were wearing pretty much normal business wear for the time. Bleriot wore a coat and heavy sweater, because it was cool and drizzling. But that raises an interesting question: what effect did social class have on the dress of pioneer aviators in Europe? Could a gentleman dress like a mechanic and get away with it?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Flight clothing in the beginning was what the pilot thought was practical and would provide protection from the cold and wet climate of northern. Long leather coats, wool sweaters and muffler, wool mittens under leather gaunlets.The helmet of choice in the beginning was the leather covered cork helmet that covered the ears and neck. Most likely "long johns" under the wool field uniform. The various services had not thought of physical needs of the air crews. In the RFC was Sidney Cotton, a pilot who saw the need of better flight clothing and he design the Sidcot flying suit, fleece or fur lined. This offered better protection that what was available before. The leather riding boot was good weather protection. The pilots suffered from frost bite on the unprotected cheeks and chin. When a German pilots shot down a British pilot, he would claim flying his Sidcot suit, his helmet, goggles and face mask.
By 1917, both sides had developed electrically heated flight suits. The single seat aircraft did not have an electrical generators on their engine and had to externally mount a propeller driven generator on the under-carriage strut to provide the power. The the recce and bomber aircradt, also strut mounted or engine mounted generators to provider the electrical energy to heat their flying suits. And the Germans came up with oxygen for air crews and parachutes for the pilots and observers. The German airships, Zeppelin and the Schütte-Lanz Army ships carried parachutes and oxygen early in 1917. To set the time, the German Army Airship service was disbanded in August 1917
The German Air Force was quicker to respond to the needs of the air crews. The French came up with a flying suit simular to the Sidcot suit, it was called the "Combination".
The German Army had not developed a flying suit for air crews by wars end.
A thumb nail sketch of WW1 Flight Gear.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[AAC Cadet Leader]

In this photo of Bleriot after his flight across the English Channel, looks to me like he's wearing leather from his cap to his coat and pants.


http://www.ctie.monash.edu/hargrave/...over_1_500.jpg

[FliegerJG1]

While I was digging for more details on clothing I found some nice color photos of the leather helmets and flight coats/suits in Knights of the Air (Epic of Flight) published by Time Life Books. There are also some color photos of uniforms representing the different countries of concern. This is a good book and not too hard to find in libraries and used book stores.

FliegerJG1

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Freerepublic.com includes a nice photo along with the following quote on the subject (as well as a wonderful portrait photo of Eddie Rickenbacker below it).

World War I

World War I introduced a new breed of heroes to the world. These “knights of the air” wore leather jackets and silk scarves, and adopted a cocky, devil-may-care attitude that belied the dangers they faced in the air. It was aviation’s first true baptism of fire.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

When a German pilots shot down a British pilot, he would claim flying his Sidcot suit, his helmet, goggles and face mask.

Oh my! How gruesome!

By 1917, both sides had developed electrically heated flight suits. The single seat aircraft did not have an electrical generators on their engine and had to externally mount a propeller driven generator on the under-carriage strut to provide the power.

How big were these power source propellers? Are any still in existence?

The French came up with a flying suit simular to the Sidcot suit, it was called the "Combination".

What did it combine?

A thumb nail sketch of WW1 Flight Gear.

Your information is very appreciated, Dan San Abbott! Please thank Patti for us for allowing you to spend much of your time here enlightening us with your wellspring of information!

[EricGoedkoop]

Originally Posted by Michael Skeet

But that raises an interesting question: what effect did social class have on the dress of pioneer aviators in Europe? Could a gentleman dress like a mechanic and get away with it?

I was thinking about that as well, Michael - I think it has a lot to do with it. Aviation was something of a "gentlemen's pursuit," and in Edwardian times a gentleman did not go about in his shirt-sleeves.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

How big were these power source propellers? Are any still in existence?

You've seen them. Here's one on a DH-4:


Isn't it cute?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

AAC Cadet Leader:
The "Combination" combined the the leather jacket and whatever the French version of "Fug boots". There are pictures of the French combination in The French Air Service War Chronology - 1914-1918. between pages 152 and 153, 6th photo page, bottom left, 12th photo page,bottom left, p13 top left, middle left, 22p, top left. On page 1 middle feft is an example of the two piece leather flying suit, also on p.15 top left. This is interesting, this French pilot is flying a Sopwith Triplane.
In regards to captured Sidcot suits, this is where the pilot was shot down and captured intack, alive and well! Example is Oblt von Schliech and Ltn. Rudolf Stark.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Dan San Abbott,
Is it permissible and can you scan and post the photos you refer to? Don't think my library has that book in stock.

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

In regards to captured Sidcot suits, this is where the pilot was shot down and captured intack, alive and well!

Back when war still had a code of ethics.


EG,
Much larger than I imagined.

[EricGoedkoop]

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

EG,
Much larger than I imagined.

Here's a little one slung under a fuse:


Here you can see what looks like two larger generators on the lg struts, as well as the small one further back:


To be honest, I don't know why there would be three generators on one aeroplane. I'm guessing one for the heated suits and one for wireless equipment, maybe the third was for lights? Does anyone know? If it helps, I believe these two photos are of the DH4 in the NASM.