Original German WWII Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel Senior NCO’s Leather Flight Jacket with EM/NCO Schirmmütze Visor Crush Cap 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. There were also many two piece types, which had the advantage of allowing the jacket to be worn separately.

Officers and certain senior NCO’s were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and were allotted a clothing allowance. Generally speaking officers bought nice 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 is a very nice Luftwaffe Senior NCO’s leather flight jacket, offered in very good condition, complete with a matching EM/NCO Schirmmütze Visor Crush Cap. The flight jacket is made from brown leather with a zipper front, and based on the BREVETE marking on the zipper and the snaps, it is very possible that the jacket was made in occupied France or Belgium. This was very common during the war, as much of the Luftwaffe involved in the “Battle of Britain” were stationed there. There is no maker marking inside the jacket, so we assume it was a bespoke example. It is fully lined and has a simple collar, with breast pockets on either side.

Above the right pocket is a metal NCO breast eagle, and under the left pocket is an Iron Cross 1st Class 1939 (EKII) award. The button retained NCO Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) are piped in Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots, air crew, and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops). They both feature a single row of 10mm NCO tress around the outside with two rank “Pips” added, indicating the rank of Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant). 

The visor cap that comes with this set is in lovely broken in condition, and has had the crown stiffener removed for that lovely “Crushed” saddle form shape that we all love. It is constructed from Fliegerblau (flyer’s blue) “whipcord weave” wool, and has the correct golden yellow triple piping for the flight branch.

A great WWII Luftwaffe Senior NCO flight jacket, complete with a lovely broken in Visor Crush Cap, ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10″
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 18”
Chest width: 23″
Waist width: 18.5″
Hip width: 18.5″
Front length: 29.5″