Period (late 20's) Aviator Clothing

Ryan Keough · **Posted:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:54 pm

Hello all...

I am trying to pull together some ideas on a few period aviator outfits fitting the "around" 1928 timeframe for use next year. Specifically I am looking for a good source for breeches, high boots, and the shirts, ties, and sweaters I recall seeing. Think barnstormers, airmail pilots and the like.

I'd like to also find some sources for the tunic type that may have been similar to that worn by Roscoe Turner.

And finally, I am looking for possible sources for the white mechanics & ground crew coveralls that were common around then as well.

Anyone have any stores, clothiers, or sewing pattern resources that I may be able to use for such a project?

Thanks!
Ryan

Baldeagle · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:18 am

For riding breeches and other neat stuff try What Price Glory, http://www.whatpriceglory.com/usofc.htm

Good luck on finding herringbone white coveralls, I have a pair that I bought at Sears 25 years ago but I haven't been able to find any recently, they make other colors in herringbone, but not white any more apparently. Plain white coveralls can be had of course but they aren't quite as nice as the herringbone type.

-

wacoykc · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:33 pm

The jacket that Roscoe Turner wore was of the standard RAF Officers pattern during the 1930's-40's. I had one custom made in India for my wedding. We also had riding pants(Jodphur) made here in the states from a guy in TX.

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:42 pm

A quick Google search for Jodhpurs turned up a good number of sources for the pants. Don't know if that's what you're looing for, but it might work. "Riding Breeches" also works.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:05 pm

If I remember, I'll try to check at the Texas Air Museum. They have several displays with that era clothing.

Ryan

RandolphB · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:36 pm

Try this link: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store ... ens_22.php

If it doesn't work, hit the site and search for "Aeronaut".

Baldeagle · **Posted:** Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:40 pm

neat site, and they have other useful stuff:

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store ... =(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/phpBB2/viewtopic.php&__utmv=-&__utmk=13312311

-

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:46 pm

Ryan;
You might also try to look for tall lineman's boots.
They are lace up and almost go to the knee.
They really have that early lace-up aviator look to them. I almost bought a pair years ago to do some barnstorming stuff, but my wife talked me out of them! You might find them under tree surgeons supplies and footware.
Check here, about midway down the page:
http://style.pronto.com/mpm/shop/linema ... oots&site=

Jerry

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:38 pm

By the way, 'jodhpurs' is just British English for riding pants/trousers, so won't find you just the period style gear but also the modern equipment, I suspect.

Canso42 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:53 pm

Jerry, one thing to consider about lineman's boots is how stiff are they? When you consider what they are used for, the requisit support may be a bit too stiff to poke rudder pedals with if you're flying in them.

Doug

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:53 pm

Canso42 wrote:

Jerry, one thing to consider about lineman's boots is how stiff are they? When you consider what they are used for, the requisit support may be a bit too stiff to poke rudder pedals with if you're flying in them.

Doug

True, but i never even tried a pair on, but they look good!
Jerry

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:34 am

ryan i'd be glad to loan you a REPRO copy of A.G. SPAULDING & BROS. aviator's equipment catalog from the early 1930's. tons of pics of flight gear, goggles, boots etc. a great reference put out by george peterson of NATIONAL CAPITAL HISTORICAL SALES INC. not sure if they are still in business. if you want to borrow it , just pm me your address & i'll send it to you. no hurry to return it soon, take your time with it, as i loaned scott a book a few years ago & i'm still calculating his library over due charges!! :lol:

(he returned the book after a year.... easy scott!!) :axe:

just let me know, & i'll send asap. best, tom

wacoykc · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:18 pm

Hope about these babies.....very cool!!!!

http://www.blueswallowaircraft.com/html ... -suit.html

JBoyle · **Posted:** Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:59 pm

A friend rented a complete Billy Mitchell-style early 30s AAC uniform for a special event. It had the correct boots and everything. He cdould have bought it for only $500. I told him to do it, it would look great with his P-12 replica.

I told him it was the best looking outfit I'd ever seen...made my real USAF uniforms look really bad.

BTW: I got my jodphurs that I wore with my 1914 roadster on ebay from a Hollywood costume shop. Just the thing I needed, too bad they no longer fit.

Fleet16b · **Posted:** Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:57 pm

Baldeagle wrote:

For riding breeches and other neat stuff try What Price Glory, http://www.whatpriceglory.com/usofc.htm

Good luck on finding herringbone white coveralls, I have a pair that I bought at Sears 25 years ago but I haven't been able to find any recently, they make other colors in herringbone, but not white any more apparently. Plain white coveralls can be had of course but they aren't quite as nice as the herringbone type.-

I agree, Herringbone white coveralls are very hard to find.
We use them in the movie industry but almost always have to rent them from prop houses who refuse to sell them outright.
You see them on ebay once in a while but they are usually from the 60's -70's
1920-30's usually had metal buttoms and sometimes a belt also.
If anyone here comes up with a good source, please post it here.

Warbird Information Exchange

Period (late 20's) Aviator Clothing

Who is online