Aviators' Clothing of the United States Army Air Forces, 1917-1945

From the bitter temperatures of the Arctic to the sweltering jungles of the South Pacific, Army Air Forces personnel flew countless missions in extreme conditions throughout World War II. Providing suitable clothing to various crewmen aboard many different types of aircraft proved a monumental task. This volume documents the development, testing, manufacture, procurement, and utilization of flying clothing and accessories worn by American airmen during their many hard-fought campaigns around the world between 1941 and 1945. Among the garments explored are various types of flight suits - including heavy winter shearling suits and electrically heated suits - flight jackets, flotation garments, headgear, handwear, footwear, and even underwear. With appendices that include contemporary military brochures detailing the care and maintenance of flight clothing and tips on the preservation of vintage flight apparel and accessories, this study provides a thorough exploration of a rarely examined aspect of the military during World War II.