show us your private purchase leather flying jackets

[NickG]

Period pictures JG54

[Jos L C]

Great shots SOFAR.. there must be many more of these shots, so conclusion might be that these jackets weren't just for the pic and transport only ..




Jos.

[wayne gosley]

Hi Jos,
Interesting hats, offering plenty of shade, Do you know where the photo was taken?
Cheers
Wayne

[Jos L C]

Hi Wayne, it seems that this pic was taken in France '42, channel coast..

[Paul Woodbyrne]

Think that last one with hats is earlier around late summer, 1940 channel coast. Could be wrong? Friend of mine sold a large photo collection of several squadrons that were based around the French coast". All very relaxed waiting for the scramble. All wearing private leather jackets, and private kit. Sold the lot for about €6,000.

[Jos L C]

Hi Paul,


Egon Mayer is wearing his KC in this pic, he received it on 1 August 1941 ...


Jos.

[wehl]

very interesting thread superb photos posted a lot to learn for me

[NickG]

These are American A2 flight jackets with a knit waist band and knit cuffs, flap over zipper (Germans always had exposed zippers ! (*)

[Ir 143]

Private purchase jackets.

These are American A2 flight jackets with a knit waist band and knit cuffs, flap over zipper (Germans always had exposed zippers ! (*)

The secon jacket from the left looks made from cloth with leather pockes flaps ans wrists ? Or it's only due to the picture (or two types of leather ?).

[magnusmilitaria]

Nice find :

[Ironheart]

Another curious thought with questions

I have been away for awhile having to deal with my illness.

Back to part of the discussion. I have some lingering questions.....

Is it true that the original French blouson cyclist jacket (Hartmann) used magnetic waist buckles? I have heard this claim.


If that is true then why would a pilot want a magnet any where near his belt mounted or wrist mounted compass? Wouldn't that interfere with an accurate reading?

I understand why you would want to sew on your decorations. But how did the non sewn on decorations stay attached when a pilot bailed out?
I tested mine and they always flew off. I tried several ways to affix them on but when you're tumbling out of a cockpit and after a few moments of hard prop wash and the hard jerk of a parachute how did they stay on?
And if a pilot has had to pop his cork several times I would be hesitant about loosing a hard earned decoration especially if I had to bail out as many times as Rudel had then having to replace them over and over. So how was the non sewn decorations affixed so they didn't come off?


Another question: Did only the pilots wear these private purchase jackets or could any member of the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and other branches wear them as well? If others could wear them do you have any photos of this?

I have more questions but at the moment I can't remember....damned pain killers!

[harrison987]

mmmmmmmmmmmm...I have had the exact type shown in Hartmann images (this type has "Eclair" zipps)...and from what I recall, the waist clip was a nickle-plated brass. Sadly, I sold it long ago, so I cannot confirm 100%.

Non-sewn on decorations were attached very securely with thick fabric loops. Sure if you hit the cockpit on your way out...or one came loose, it would come off...but what would it matter? The pilot could just ask for a replacement. The most decorations I have seen are a pilot badge, luft eagle, wound badge, fighter clasp, and iron cross. Not much else could fit...and doubt a pilot would want to have many affixed anyway. I have seen aces with nothing attached.

KM stuff, I cannot help you with. You need to keep in mind that pilots were allowed to be a bit more liberal than other branches.

[hs132]

I have been away for awhile having to deal with my illness.

Back to part of the discussion. I have some lingering questions.....

Is it true that the original French blouson cyclist jacket (Hartmann) used magnetic waist buckles? I have heard this claim.


If that is true then why would a pilot want a magnet any where near his belt mounted or wrist mounted compass? Wouldn't that interfere with an accurate reading?

I understand why you would want to sew on your decorations. But how did the non sewn on decorations stay attached when a pilot bailed out?
I tested mine and they always flew off. I tried several ways to affix them on but when you're tumbling out of a cockpit and after a few moments of hard prop wash and the hard jerk of a parachute how did they stay on?
And if a pilot has had to pop his cork several times I would be hesitant about loosing a hard earned decoration especially if I had to bail out as many times as Rudel had then having to replace them over and over. So how was the non sewn decorations affixed so they didn't come off?


Another question: Did only the pilots wear these private purchase jackets or could any member of the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and other branches wear them as well? If others could wear them do you have any photos of this?

I have more questions but at the moment I can't remember....damned pain killers!

Hello. I envy your contacts with the many pilots of WW2. I can answer the magnet question I think. On both my jackets with the typical metal waist latch the buckle is steel and responds to a magnet, however there is no magnetism of the buckle itself when placed next to a compass. If I were the pilot, sure I would be wearing all my regalia, bailout or not. Best, Bill Bourque

[RamJet]

I just checked on mine, too, and yes, it responds to a magnet. But as Bill said, it has no magnetic field of its own.

And, also yes, Kriegsmarine personnel also used this kind of jackets, for example Kleinkampfmittel crews, as it was reported. They had cramped "cockpits" also.

No pic to prove, sorry.

[phild]

There are also published photos of Heer PZ crewmen wearing these early in the war and a photo of a SS Wiking officer wearing one. There has just recently been posted on the Heer and I think KM uniform board a KM officer wearing one.