Code: S24669
Manufactured by Baxter, Woodhouse & Taylor (BWT) under the 'Windak' company name. Towards the end of the war there was a push at the Physiological Laboratory, Farnborough, to produce a new one-piece flying suit, possibly for use in the development of early pressurized cabins. This example is believed to be a design for a general-purpose suit based very closely on the well known yellow BWT 'Taylor' buoyancy flying suit and submitted for service trials and evaluation. It seems very unlikely that this design was ever introduced into service making this an extremely rare survivor of an experimental suit made in very low numbers.
Produced in a close sateen weave green cotton. This heavy one-piece double-breasted suit is fitted with quick-release zip fasteners, one from the neck to the waist and another from the waist down the front of each leg to the ankle. Zips are also fitted to the ends of each sleeve. There are open pockets on the front of each leg, two side-entry pockets, and an open map pocket on the left breast. The 'fur/fleece' collar can be fastened with a small buttoned flap and there are epaulettes at the shoulders, each secured by a ring press stud. The suit has integral padding (probably kapok) and is lined in the same cotton as the exterior. It is stitched such that the padding will remain evenly distributed around the suit. Internal braces with buckles can be adjusted to relieve the shoulder points from the weight of the trousers.
There is a woven 'Windak' label sewn at the neck and Air Ministry marked zips throughout. The suit is in superb condition and exceptionally clean bar one small mark on the back of the right leg (see photographs). It would be impossible to upgrade on this exceptionally rare developmental flying suit. A true museum piece. Stock code S24669.
