WHITE SHEEPSKIN FLIGHT PANTS

Dear All,
 
in my collection I have a pair of white sheepskin flight trousers marked type A6, spec. 3119, manufactured by AERO LEATHER CO. of BEACON, NY or NJ (not clear).
 
There were part of the so called B7 flight attire (see pic), does anyone actually recall having been issue anything in white sheepskin either before or during WW II?
 
Thanks a million for any lead.
 
Paolo

[image]local://upfiles/15036/D900DD3D9EF94DBD89D803D0BAE6E30B.jpg[/image]

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Here is a shot of students at Ponca City, Oklahoma (No. 6 British Flight Training School/323 AAFFTD) ca. January 1943. Second from the left is wearing trousers of this sort.

[image]local://upfiles/6464/4517FDECAD8F4C2E8A05FC4AA658D066.jpg[/image]

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Hi David,
 
I believe the chap in the pic is wearing an A3 type trousers.
 
Paolo

i have seen some on pics that where in the Alaskan command

Paolo

Please see attached archive film shot at 305th BG Chelveston, shows three aircrew wearing what to me appears to be same light coloured sheepskin-fleece flight clothing, as per your original posting.

??

http://forum.armyairforces.com/tm.aspx?high=&m=184150&mpage=1#184160


Ian W

Attached is a photo of a member of the 99th BG (George Streetman) taken after completing his 50th mission.  His flight suit doesn't definitely look like sheepskin, but it looks like it was white.
 
Marty
 
 

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White flight suit photo.pdf (56.37 KB) - downloaded 37 times

Hi Marty,
The chap wears a RAF issued Taylor Buoyancy Suit, I have one original, is in a yellowish color same as the Mae West.
Paolo
 

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Thanks Paolo.  I had never heard of this type of suit before.  He could have gotten it from a Wimpy crew member there at their shared base in Italy.

Does the suit have chambers that inflate like a Mae West, or is the whole suit made of something that was buoyant?

Marty

Hi Marty,
The suit outer layer is of the same fabric of the mae west only thicker, the inner is a kind of wool fabric, in the middle there is a padding with kapok (floating material used for mae wests). On the side and back of the neck there are extra pockets for stuffing more kapok floatin' elements. It is wired for electrically heated gloves and boots inserts. 
I heavy like hell, it has suspenders inside to help the wearer. According to record it was primarily developed (in 1943) and issued to RAF Coastal Command personnel (mostly rear gunners). Basically a long range sea patrol crew issue. However it didnt have a widespread utilization; you dont see many around.
Paolo
 

Thank you for the information.  I had never seen or heard of this suit before. 
Marty

Hi,
 
The B-7 jacket with A-6 trousers were mainly issued to the Alaskan flight command, hence the name "Alaskan suit".
Not very common and few aircrew used it.
 
Mike