United States Army Aviators' Clothing, 1917-1945 - by C G Sweeting (Paperback)

About the Book

The beginning of World War I saw thousands of army and navy aviators who needed specialized clothing that could not be purchased off-the-shelf. During World War II pilots and crews flew countless missions in extreme conditions, from the Arctic to the South Pacific. Through both wars, providing suitable clothing to personnel aboard many different types of aircraft proved a monumental task. This book documents the development, testing, manufacture, procurement and utilization of flying apparel and accessories worn by American airmen around the world between 1917 and 1945. Among the garments explored are various types of flight suits--including heavy winter shearling suits and electrically heated suits--flight jackets, flotation gear, headgear, handwear and footwear. With appendices that include contemporary brochures detailing the care and maintenance of flight clothing, this study provides a thorough exploration of a rarely examined aspect of military history.

Book Synopsis

The beginning of World War I saw thousands of army and navy aviators who needed specialized clothing that could not be purchased off-the-shelf. During World War II pilots and crews flew countless missions in extreme conditions, from the Arctic to the South Pacific. Through both wars, providing suitable clothing to personnel aboard many different types of aircraft proved a monumental task. This book documents the development, testing, manufacture, procurement and utilization of flying apparel and accessories worn by American airmen around the world between 1917 and 1945. Among the garments explored are various types of flight suits--including heavy winter shearling suits and electrically heated suits--flight jackets, flotation gear, headgear, handwear and footwear. With appendices that include contemporary brochures detailing the care and maintenance of flight clothing, this study provides a thorough exploration of a rarely examined aspect of military history.

Review Quotes

"detailed account of the creation and changes in flying clothing from the Great War through World War II. This book describes everything from headgear and hand protection to underwear and footwear"--H-Net Reviews; "essential"--ARBA; Reviews of the first edition: "the first volume devoted to the development, manufacture, and use of American flying clothing before and during the war.... Over 150 detailed photographs, many of them never before published, will help the book's user to identify types of suits, jackets, headgear, handwear, and footwear"--Air Classics Monthly; "destined to be the definitive reference on this subject for both the military historian and the collector"--Air Force Magazine; "this specialized book will be of most interest to the collector, the historical researcher and to those few 8AFers who must have everything written, which is remotely related to the 8th AF experience"--The Eighth Air Force Historical Society.

About the Author

The late C.G. Sweeting, an Air Force veteran and consultant on flying clothing and personal equipment, was the curator of flight material at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, for 15 years. He lived in Clinton, Maryland.