Original French WWI Escadrille SPA 94 Armée de l’Air French Air Service Pilot Officer’s Horizon Blue Uniform Set – Kepi with Grim Reaper Pin Original Items

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a phenomenal uniform grouping to a French pilot in Escadrille SPA 94. The squadron was known as “The Grim Reapers.” A grim reaper was painted prominently on a side of each of the squadron’s aircraft, the exact same insignia pinned to the side of this pilot’s kepi. At the time of the Armistice SPA 94 had 52 air-to-air victories.

This is an absolutely stunning uniform set. The set includes the pilot’s tunic, corduroy breeches, Officer’s Sam Browne belt, Kepi with squadron pin. This was the standard issue for a WWI French Pilot. Horizon blue French Air Service service coat, single breasted with all 7 brass buttons down front. The collar tabs feature beautiful gold bullion “winged star” insignia with the color retained very well.

The kepi has a noticeable slightly upturned brim which was fashionable with some French pilots of the period. The greatest feature of the Kepi is the rare Escadrille SPA 94 grim reaper squadron pin, which features a running skeleton wielding a long scythe. This is one of the most iconic pieces of WWI aviation, and being an original example on a pilot’s kepi cementing it as the best part of this phenomenal grouping. The squadron pin is marked BIJOU PARIS on the back, which is concurrent with real examples. The kepi is overall in great shape with a great maker’s mark for the Leon Premier Chapelier De Paris. The sweatband is still fully intact with the size 57 written underneath. The initials “MD” are also written under the sweatband, which could be the pilot’s initials. The kepi is in great service worn condition with some more mothing across the exterior.

There is a single gold bullion stripe on each cuff, signifying the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. The collar tabs both have a single star with a wing accompanying them, signifying aviation. There is a stellar set of Pilot’s wings on the right breast, marked “B” which identifies them as wartime. The wings are also numbered 20650. The uniform has a full period Fourragère cord on the left arm. There are ribbons for the French Croix de Guerre medal and the French Colonial Medal.

The tunic has heavy sweat stains on the interior, as well as a good amount of mothing across the exterior of the uniform. These blue horizon uniforms are mostly wool, but there is no active mothing present on the uniform. The breeches are a cream-colored corduroy pair, with some damage as shown but these are a very rare set of wartime breeches.

An incredible example of an extremely rare uniform set to one of the most popular French squadrons towards the end of the war. Comes more than ready for further research and display! The initials paired with the squadron could identify this pilot with enough time!

At the start of the First World War, France led the world in aircraft design and by mid-1912 the Aéronautique Militaire had five squadrons (“escadrilles”). This had grown to 132 machines and 21 escadrilles by 1914, the same year when, on 21 February, it formally received a budget under the Ministry of War. On 3 August, Germany declared war against France.