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L021759 KW 1/33 PROTECTIVE WINTER FLIGHT SUIT. (Fliegerschutzanzug für Winter)
BACKGROUND: Development of protective flight uniforms and equipment began with the advent of military aircraft in WWI and continued on into the Weimar and the Third Reich eras, resulting in three distinct one-piece combination pattern flight suits being approved before WWII and worn for the duration of the war with minor modifications. Regulations of April 24TH 1941 introduced two piece protective flight suits for fighter pilots designed to increase the wearers mobility and not be as restrictive in the close confines of a cockpit. Production of the one piece KW 1/33 winter flight suit was discontinued as per the same regulations that introduced the two piece protective flight suits but they remained in service until worn out.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Heavy, one piece, coverall style, winter flight suit constructed in brushed blue/grey velveteen fabric with a large chocolate brown fleece, lay down collar. The suit features an eight button vertical front closure, with dual overlapping flaps running from the neck to the crotch. The upper left breast panel has a vertical slash pocket with a zipper closure. The suit has two, patch, front hip pockets with diagonally angled top openings with single button closures. The suit also has a vertical slash with a zipper closure to each outer side seam at the waistline, enabling the wearer to access the underlying uniform pockets. Zipper pull tab is missing from the left side. The upper forward thighs each have a large patch pocket with scalloped button down flaps (left leg button is missing). The straight cut leg cuffs have a vertical slash to each inside leg seam with a zipper closure and an internal grey HBT rayon wind flap. The reverse of the suit has two small vertical tapering darts at the waistline. The straight cut sleeve cuffs have a vertical slash to the inside seams with a dual button closure and an additional fit adjustment button. The interior of the sleeve cuffs have ribbed grey cotton twill storm cuffs with a tunnel loop elastic to the ends and dual fit adjustment buttons. The suit has a large lay down brown fleece collar. The reverse of the left side collar has two horizontal leather straps with dual snaps to each with a corresponding, leather reinforced "D" rings under the right side collar for a secure neck closure. The interior of the suit is fully lined in brown fleece. The interior left breast panel has a small, machine stitched in, white oilcloth label with black machine woven script that includes the manufacturers name, "Karl Heisler Berlin C2". The suit is in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning and a few small stains. All the zippers retain their leather pull tabs and still function, with the exception of the one mentioned above. The buttons are all the large molded grey bakelite type and most appear to have their original stitching. The suits were cut large to fit over the standard issue uniform and this example is roughly a size 42" chest. Very nice example.
GRADE **** PRICE $775.00
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