Historical question about Battle of Britain's RAF pilots

[argan]

I have an historical question for you: I see many photos of RAF pilots during battle of Britain, photographed just before enter in airplains during LW attacks, that don’t have visible holster or belt.
Did they perhaps use the pistol in the uniform’s pocket or sidcot suit pocket?
Very few are seen with external holster..

Thank you!

[newoq11]

[argan]

Funny but unuseful answer..

[dragnet]

No need for a pistol during the battle of britain, your not going to be shot down over enemy country.

[Robert Shoaf]

No need for a pistol during the battle of britain, your not going to be shot down over enemy country.

Indeed; I have read extensively on the BoB, and viewed many photos, without noticing a weapon on RAF pilots. Again, they are flying over their own country.
I cannot say that I ever noticed Luftwaffe Defense of the Reich fighter pilots carrying a pistol either.

Bob Shoaf

[pzrwest]

Could the use of the pistol be a hold over from WW1 where pilots carried a pistol somewhere on their person to shoot themselves when the aircraft was going down on fire? Maybe the same in WW2 if the pilot was trapped inside the cockpit and couldn't get out when the plane was going down in flames

[argan]

.....Maybe the same in WW2 if the pilot was trapped inside the cockpit and couldn't get out when the plane was going down in flames[/QUOTE]

This is was I was thinking about. Is is right there was no need of defence against enemies on their country, but it could be useful for safety..
Could they perhaps put their gun inside Flying boots?

[nickn]

Guns in boots?
Have you seen the size of a british service revolver?
And in the uk the carrying of private purchase firearms like a small automatic was not the norm
My grandfather was in the Raf during the war and his issue pistol was a ww1 .455 1911 colt which he had to book in and out of the armory

[Rikster]

as above, no personal weapon required over home territory. Same today, in my former life in the RAF as a Harrier mechanic, the pilots would carry a personal weapon only when on Ops over "enemy" territory, usually a Walther PPK, nice and small. On Op "provide Comfort" Northern Iraq no fly zone they also carried a number of gold sovereigns and a chit written in several "local" languages explaining they were friendly and to assist them to "Allied" forces if they were shot down, in exchange for afore mentioned gold...

[argan]

Thank you very much for your help!