Original German WWII Luftwaffe Officer Oberstleutnant Leather Flight Jacket Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. 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.

Regulations of July 4TH 1940 and 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. The two piece flight suits consist of separate jacket and pants and was commonly referred to as the “Kanalanzug”, (Channel Uniform).

Officers were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and were allotted a clothing allowance. Generally speaking officers bought high quality private purchase uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots. Besides the standard issue flight garments Luftwaffe personnel also utilized a wide variety of private purchase leather jackets in contradiction of regulations. These private purchase jackets appear to have been quite popular as they can be commonly seen in period photographs.

This example is a very high quality, French made private purchase, non-regulation, multi-panel chocolate brown leather construction fully lined, waist length, flight jacket with a lay down collar. The jacket features a vertical, front, zipper closure by AERO. The jacket has two horizontal slash breast pockets with zippers and two hip pockets with cover flaps. The sleeves are straight cut and non-adjustable. Inside at the neck is a French tailor’s maker label which reads Alcodin.

Slip on loops and buttons for shoulder boards, complete with two matching Oberstleutnant epaulets with fine silver/aluminum wire over yellow wool bases. Left breast features a heavily embroidered silver bullion Luftwaffe eagle with grey wool backing hand-stitched to the leather.

All the buttons, snaps and the zippers still function (with exception of left breast pocket zipper which is stuck). Overall condition is very good, leather has lighted in creases but it is still supple and pliable with no chipping or crazing.

The jacket is roughly size 40″ chest; a nice LARGE size for WW2!