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Thank you mjfur for your reply and for posting those pictures. So pretty much anything within a loose set of parameters was ok for them to wear...that is really interesting. Once again, thank you!They had various options when it came to Flight Gear, they could mix/match, wear what they wanted. The jackets were issued without rank insignia or shoulder boards. Some jackets came with the Luftwaffe eagle insignia on the right breast, but others didn't. Each pilot could/would add what they wanted.
Private purchase leather jackets were typically worn early war, but some may have lasted longer.
Luftwaffe issued Flight jackets & pants came in cloth Summer, cloth Winter, leather and suede, various colors and patterns.
Here are some that would be typical for late war (not all colors shown).
Hi. I'm curious about what type of flying clothing late war (September 1944 onwards) Luftwaffe pilots, and Sturmgruppen pilots in particular, wore?
Looking at photos of JG1, JG4 and JG300 pilots, I can't seem to see any consistent uniform, they all seem to be wearing variations of similar but by no means identical uniforms.
I've attached a photo of a figure, courtesy of Tamiya, which is meant to depict a late war pilot. Is the uniform he's wearing accurate? Also, would such a uniform have collar tabs? Shoulder boards? Would it have upper arm 'flying birds' rank insignia?
Thank you for any info!
To me it looks like the choice of leather or cloth. The flying dress was cut over the same design also known as the "Kanal" suit. And there was an electrically heated version and a not heated version
You also see photographs where the pilot are mixing leather and cloth.
Can any body explain the "handle" at the front of the jacked, it is on all German flight suits, the full overall type and the jacked typeView attachment 616568
FYI - the jackets and pants were not "electrically heated". More accurately, some versions of the jacket and pants were electrically wired to carry current to "electrically heated" gloves and flight boots. While all these different electrical versions were being worn, it is rare to ever see them actually plugged "IN" and being used for heat
As the war went higher and higher, 10 km or more the cold was extream and the need for the heated boots and gloves was a must. Also the night fighters operating in cold winter nights needed the comfort of heated boots and gloves.
If you look at the equipment of the JU-88 and HE219 as well as the ME262 there is electrical outlets for the heated boots and gloves.