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USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
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Author:  RCB [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
(Reposted from general)

I have had the most trouble finding anything about what USAAF pilots would have worn in the mid-30s. The last time I went to the USAF Museum, the people I spoke to there weren't entirely sure.

Specifically I am looking for gear pursuit pilots would have worn (P-6E).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I've got photos of a couple pilots in the planes, but the photos are so grainy it's hard to make much out.
Author:  shrike [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
Pedantic point - USAAC until 1939.

As one poster's sig file point out, without ammunition, the Air Force is just a flying club.
Both of those points describe the USAAC pretty well until the mid-thirties.

There wasn't a lot of uniformity to the flying gear actually used in the early thirties. There were standard for uniforms, but at the time the Air Corps was tiny and the gov't didn't have a lot of money or time to 'waste'. Most of the pilots at the time were also likely to be reservists, whose day job might be flying commercially as well. Pilots and flying crew were better served by the commercial market for flying gear, with helmets, goggles and coats more likely to be private purchase.
Author:  RCB [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
USAAC, good point

Regarding privately purchased flying gear: That would explain a lot regarding varying gear I have seen in photos.
Author:  Fleet16b [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
Looking at various period pics you will see a variety of goggles , helmets shoes etc.
The Army Air Corps did have standard issue equipment but it appears that protocol was lax hence the variety seen in the pics
For the most part the earlier issue flying jacket was the A1 but by the middle 30's it was being phased out and replaced by the well known a2 jacket .
The AAC A1 had small pocktes either side of the zipper on the bottom half of the body.
The USN also used the A1 but the pockets were higher just about at chest level
IMHO the A1 was a better looking jacket but not very practical
Author:  tom d. friedman [ Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: USAAF Pilot Gear circa 1930s
RCB wrote:
(Reposted from general)

I have had the most trouble finding anything about what USAAF pilots would have worn in the mid-30s. The last time I went to the USAF Museum, the people I spoke to there weren't entirely sure.

Specifically I am looking for gear pursuit pilots would have worn (P-6E).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I've got photos of a couple pilots in the planes, but the photos are so grainy it's hard to make much out.





gee..... i wonder who that poster could be!! :lol: i have a 1930's reprint of the "AVIATOR'S EQUIPMENT CATALOG" BY AVIATION EQUIPMENT CO. NEW YORK. REPRINTED BY GEORGE A. PETERSEN NCHS INC. it is a booklet or pamphlet w/ 32 pages of very well illustrated flight gear, clothing, & accessories from the 30's. very comprehensive information. i believe it is long out of print. $20.00 + postage.
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