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Named first contract A-4 Flight Suit

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
Production of the A-4 flight suit began in the 1931 fiscal year and ended in 1943. This A-4 suit is from the first order in 1930 (1931 fiscal year) made by H D. Lee Inc under the 31-297P order. I don't have any information on the quantities ordered, but as the Air Corps was small then perhaps no more than 2,000. It is tagged a size 44.

It has features not seen on later versions, such as two knee pockets, a leather hanging strap and a separated fly. The zips are size 5 Talons with Hookless stamped on the puller in smaller letters. The zips have a 1925 patent on the other side of the pullers.

It is in remarkable condition for its age, having a couple of repairs and evidence of paint splashes.

Written on the name strip is D.L. Hutchins. I have researched him and discovered he was born in 1895/6 and died in 1972 at the age of 77. He most likely joined the AC after WW1, probably sometime in the 192os and was a major in 1937 when he undertook a year's course at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In November 1944 he was appointed Commanding Officer for Base Air Depot No. 2 at Warton, England, holding the rank of full bird colonel. The suit still retains his colonel rank insignia. If anyone knows anymore about Hutchins please let me know.






 

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
The suit is very robust and would stand up to wearing from time to time just as my original A-2s and irvins do. I can see no point in simply leaving such items to spend the rest of their years in a storage!
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
Cracking A-4 Andrew and the condition looks to be mint, better than the few we have at the museum here languishing in acid free paper ;)
 

Edward

Well-Known Member
I just acquired a mint Unissued NOS A-4 Flight Suit sized 44 dated 1942 (crown zipper with leather pull) for $175 ...which is what the modern repros at WPG are going for! so I feel I made a decent score. not as cool as a named theater used or that 1930 hookless above though! wow!

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Roughwear

Well-Known Member
Thank you for adding the photos. It is interesting to see some of the differences between this 1942 order and the first order from 1930, such a the one leg pocket and single breast pocket and chain hanger.
 
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