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RAF 1941 pattern 'flap-type' Mae West

Code: MW27053

Life Saving Waistcoat, Stole Inflated, Flap Type'.  Stores reference 22c/447.  Size medium.  Manufactured as one of the incredibly rare 'Flap-Type' Mae Wests and complete with the flap attached.  The cloth is in very good overall condition although a bit soiled and grubby.  There are three small repairs near the neck (see photographs) but no serious damage.  The flap itself has the rarely seen 'pocket' on the inner side and is in very good clean condition.  The only issues are some verdigris on metal studs, a few of which have pulled through the material (lower edge of flap and whistle eyelet).  The studs used to fasten the flap to the sides of the Mae West have been replaced/reinforced as shown.  This example has been fitted with leg straps, grab handles, skull cap/heliograph pocket, early simple floatation lamp pocket and has a dinghy lanyard attachment loop stitched to the right breast.  It also has the inflation lever flap, fluorescene flap and strap, tying tapes and two of the three original buttons.  The zip was damaged beyond repair so we have replaced it with an excellent Air Ministry marked original old stock example.  Lovely large label with Air Ministry King's crown markings.  I would argue that these are at least as hard to find as the 1932 'Battle of Britain' pattern.  A good '+' example of an extremely rare Mae West.  Stock code MW27053.