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RAF 'Taylor' Buoyancy flying suit

SOLD

Code: S25906

'Suits, Flying, Buoyant'. Stores reference 22c/739. Size medium (Ht.5'7"-5'10", Br. 37"-39", Wt. 33"-35", St. 39"-41"). Yellow one-piece double breasted safety suit designed to give maximum comfort, buoyancy in water and a certain amount of fire protection - supposedly without causing too much restriction of movement of the wearer. Produced in a heavy 'aerocord' material and designed to be worn with a flame-proof kapok liner along with flotation pads in knee and breast pockets and in the collar. Internal braces relieved pressure on the wearer's shoulders from the weight of the suit. Press studs and quick-release zip fasteners promoted rapid removal in an emergency. The material is in very good overall condition. It does have a couple of small fray holes and minor repairs but nothing serious and the flap usually seen behind the collar has been carefully removed - see photographs. The suit retains strong colour and is really quite clean. Yellow was chosen to aid visibility in the sea but wasn't the most practical colour for use within oily airframes so clean suits are rare. The extensive/long zips and other metalwork on these suits are prone to verdigris and corrosion but this one is unusually good. All zips are original, Air Ministry marked and in working condition complete with fabric puller tags. The only exception being the left sleeve zip where the tape/teeth are excellent but the slider is absent. The lining is generally good, bar minor repairs near the collar, and the braces and Air Ministry marked label are present. This scarce later example is fitted with a flotation lamp pocket close to the right armpit ('lid' absent as often seems to be the case), and was originally fitted with a dye marker flap/strap at the waist - only the studs remain. A very good example of what are now quite rare suits. Most that turn up are in very poor condition and filthy! Bulky and rather heavy. Stock code S25906.