Shirt, Flying Heavy Type A-1

[Brian Keith]

Here is an interesting shirt I’ve had for a while. As you can see, it is labeled, “Shirt, Flying Heavy Type A-1”. In the Sweeting book, Combat Flying Clothing, it is briefly addressed on page 66, really not much info. Apparently not worn/issued much. It is slightly heavier than an army blanket and is unlined. Thanks for looking. Comments welcome!

BKW

Again! The dang picture posts upside down, It wasn't saved that way! Sorry! No idea why. 

[P-59A]

I have always wondered about these. It is a WW2 issue item?

[jerry_k]

Here are pics in correct position ;)

[Brian Keith]

Thanks jerry_k for fixing the photo's. Yes, P-59A, Sweeting does say it is WW II issue.

Thanks for your comments!
BKW

[dmar836]

Despite what Sweating wrote I have always believed these to be used in the transitional era with an AF number again rather than AN. I haven't seen one with the standard USAAF nomenclature on the label. I also have not seen one in period photos. 

Much higher order numbers existed earlier in the war and the spec number puts it before even the parkas and B-15. Maybe someone knows how the numbering of orders and specs ran - chronologically or otherwise.

Maybe they were wartime but there sure were a lot of them on the surplus market and in the 90s it was commonly said they were post war.

Would be a great jacket but I'd hate to wear it.

Dave

 

[phantomfixer]

would be a nice fall hunting jacket..  the USAAF and later USAF uniforms/flight gear of late war and post war are a flurry of designs and changes, trying to adapt to the jet age... 

 

I would agree with late war contract and transitional limited use...post war and pressurized cabins saw little need for heavy flight gear

 

here is one with a US Air Forces stamp vs a Army Air Force, suggesting post 1947

 

and the D-1 cap, later the D1 would go from brown wool to USAF blue 

[dmar836]

The D-1 actually came to mind as well. It seamed to have the same unexplained history and use. As did the A-1 visor thought I've seen at least a version of those in wartime images, just not the -47- one. I might have a 45 dated one of those.

[Brian Keith]

Great additions to this thread! Thanks everybody!

BKW

[hellcat_vintage]

Hi, I’m new to the forum (will do a proper intro post) and came across this post as I collect early US Air Force flight clothing. As others have said I believe these shirts date from just after the war, when the Air Force adopted the B-15B, N-2 & N-3 as cold weather clothing. As with everything from that period there is the A-1 shirt in olive that you have, then an A-1A in blue and finally the A-1B in a sage green colour. There is also a matching pair of E-1 trousers (again with later E-1A & E-1B versions). I’ve just acquired a pair of E-1 trousers, so am actually on the hunt now for an A-1 shirt (already have an A-1A, E-1A & E-1B). 
 

 

[dmar836]

Yep. I've passed on a few of those as they too were post war.

[jerry_k]

13 hours ago, hellcat_vintage said:

Hi, I’m new to the forum (will do a proper intro post) and came across this post as I collect early US Air Force flight clothing. As others have said I believe these shirts date from just after the war, when the Air Force adopted the B-15B, N-2 & N-3 as cold weather clothing. As with everything from that period there is the A-1 shirt in olive that you have, then an A-1A in blue and finally the A-1B in a sage green colour. There is also a matching pair of E-1 trousers (again with later E-1A & E-1B versions). I’ve just acquired a pair of E-1 trousers, so am actually on the hunt now for an A-1 shirt (already have an A-1A, E-1A & E-1B). 
 

 

Hello Hellcat! Cherrs, Jerry