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WW2 Canadian Flying Suit Named 37 & 69 Squadron RAF S.S.Holden LTD 1941-1942

$ 1317.36

Availability: 79 in stock
  • Conflict: WW II (1939-45)
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Condition: very good condition for it's age, only see a small stain on the back as shown and other small stains and marks typical with use and age

    Description

    Size 3 on the tag.  On the underneath of the back collar there is a couple of names.  The first on is marked out, and
    reads "CPL Cutler 69 Squadron" all in red, and then the subsequent owner marked this out and wrote "37 SAC McCormick 37" in black as shown.  I am not sure on the "S" in the title, maybe stands for Sergeant in a designation of "Sergeant Air Corps?".
    Both the 69 Squadron and the 37 Squadron were extensively involved in the war, although I am not sure how a Canadian flight suit came to be used by a British flyer, unless the Canadian suits were part of the uniforms then, or the flyer was somehow part of an overseas unit serving in the RAF.  It was probably the former, so we will assume this was a British flyer given the names and squadron numbers on the collar.
    This is a very heavy suit, intended for winter and very cold weather flying, so was likely used more north with 69 Squadron in all of the major operations of the war they were involved in.  This included the Battle of Britain, D-Day and the Strategic Bombing Campaign.
    Assuming that it was used with 37 Squadron after that, it was probably mostly used in northern Italy and Southeastern Europe near the end of the war.
    Measurements are:
    26" leg inseam
    16" underarm inseam
    about 42" chest (21" across as measured from the outside)
    54" from the center of the shoulder to the bottom hem of pant
    approximately 57" total length at collar
    Book Box J 12012021
    Weight 6 pounds 7 ounces