Code: SCS1012
'Prestige' flying suits were often the choice of pilots in the 1930s, University Air Squadrons and during the Battle of Britain. Usually worn over their service dress uniforms, these one-piece 'overalls' were made in medium weight white, black or dark blue cotton. Slight variations exist depending on the manufacturer, some have open leg pockets, some have zipped pockets, some have a rise and fall collar, others a short mandarin 'stand' collar etc.
This example was manufactured by D. Lewis Ltd., Great Portland Street, London, in medium weight white cotton and has a concealed main zip, flapped chest pockets, open pockets on the lower legs, side pockets and side entry slots at the waist and zipped closures at the wrists and ankles. It also features a standard rise and fall collar with buckled strap, is pleated at the back, belted at the waist and has permanently stitched epaulettes. The cloth is a bit soiled but condition is generally very good. All the zips are 'DOT' marked and function very well, the belt is very good and has a cast brass friction buckle. With cloth hanger, worn manufacturer's label and size tag (40). Interestingly 'Flying Officer' rank insignia has been painted/inked on to the epaulettes and the suit is fitted with a superb pin-backed padded pilot wing on silky oatmeal coloured thread. Two small holes have been created in the cloth, each oversewn to prevent fraying, for the pin to pass through.
Prestige suits have always been incredibly elusive and this one is attributed to George Watson DFC who flew back to back reconnaissance sorties to locate the German battleship 'Tirpitz' as it hid among the Norwegian fjords. Flying a Mosquito from RAF Benson in September 1944, the battleship was located and later sunk in attacks undertaken by 617 Squadron. Watson then returned to take photos of the damage but the weather was so poor he had to fly under the cloud and encountered intense flak, he was awarded the DFC for this sortie. We believe this incident is covered in the book 'Beyond The Dams To The Tirpitz' by Alan Cooper. George Watson died at the Derby Royal Infirmary in 2006 at the age of 95. Comes with a grainy photocopy of Watson wearing a (the same?) prestige suit in the Lincolnshire Aero Cub room at Waltham, Grimsby in 1938. Stock code SCS1012.
Approximate measurements, zipped and laid flat :
Pit to Pit - 21"
Pit to cuff - 191/2"
Shoulder to cuff - 26"
Inside leg - 31"
