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RAF uniforms - Air Marshall Sir Geoffrey Ford KBE, CB, FREng

SOLD

Code: U25428

RAF Officers(Home Service) uniforms to the late Air Marshall Sir Geoffrey Ford KBE, CB, FREng. He was born on 6th August 1923 and educated at Lewes County School and selected for university under the wartime 'Hankey' scheme which identified school leavers with high potential within the sphere of science. He attended Bristol University before joining the RAF via a direct entrance commission in October 1942. He was immediately assigned to 75 Signals Wing, responsible for top secret air defence radar stations in the South East of England. In 1944 he was transferred to Algeria in North Africa and later Italy, in command of a mobile radar unit responsible for the provision of air defence control for Allied fighter squadrons. After the war he returned to Bristol to complete his degree, gaining a 1st class honours in Physics. He continued work on Radar, specialising in guided missiles and serving as Chief Weapons Instructor at the RAF Technical College, Henlow. He was made Director of Guided Weapons Development and involved with the introduction of both the Bloodhound and Rapier missile systems. He was Chief Signals Officer RAF Germany from 1964 to 1968 and was then engaged in technical planning in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) until 1973, when he became Chief Engineer of Strike Command. In 1976 he returned to the MOD with overall responsibility for the day to day technical efficiency of the RAF and two years later, was appointed Controller of Engineering and Supply, and Chief Engineer, RAF, in the rank of Air Marshall. He retired in 1981 and died on April 1st 2007 at the age of 83.
Here we are offering a good post 1953 selection of Ford's uniforms. These include his No.1 RAF Service Dress uniform (Home Service) comprised of his tunic tailored by Gieves, with ribbons for KCB, CB, Italy star, Defence and War medals and Jubilee medal (1977). The cuffs have Air Marshall rank lace. The tunic has anodised Queen's crown (QC) buttons and belt buckle. The manufacturer's label is named to Ford and 1965 dated. It comes with matching trousers with similar label/date. Also his Air Officer's Field Service cap tailored by Bates Hatters of London. This has the distinctive light blue piped edge and Air Rank bullion cap badge. Next is Ford's No.5 Mess Dress (Home Service) uniform. This is comprised of a jacket with gold Air Marshall rank lace and brass QC buttons. Also his matching waistcoat with QC buttons and trousers. The jacket was tailored by R.E. Clothes Ltd. of London and named to Ford with 1956 date. Finally there is Ford's Officer pattern Greatcoat tailored by Gieves, named to him and 1961 dated. This has the correct Air Rank epaulettes/shoulder boards and anodised QC buttons. Overall condition is excellent, the uniforms are clean and only have very minor moth damage. The uniforms come with a letter dated May 2000, from Ford to the previous owner, offering the kit to him. There is also a photograph of Ford in his No.1, brief biographical details and a couple of obituaries. A fine selection of Air Rank uniforms. Stock code U25428.

N.B. Very bulky/heavy - postage is estimated. It could be less...