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M-668 flight suit ?

pierregloom

Well-Known Member
Hi there, I think some of you on the forum can help me, I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to find a repro of a M-668 flight-suit?
Some of my mates in my glider club wear flights suits when flying, and it's starting to make me want to do the same. But I don't like the look of nowadays flight-suits.

AND, yesterday, watching Devotion movie trailer, It was like a revelation when I saw what flight-suits the USMC pilots were wearing.
I've done some research but I can't find anything better than old expired ads on ebay.
Finding an original would be great but it seems to be quite rare on the market, I'm even thinking of sewing one thanks to my wife's sewing skills... but finding a pattern seems to be as hard as finding an original.

Would anyone have an idea to help me find this?

Here are some pictures of an original and the one worn by the cast of the movie :
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Thanks ;)
 

Saint-ex

Well-Known Member
Here is a replica of the ANS31, available and made in France :


Since I'm not a specialist, I don't know the difference with the M-668 and if this is ANS31 accurate, but it could be an option for you.
 

pierregloom

Well-Known Member
Here is a replica of the ANS31, available and made in France :


Since I'm not a specialist, I don't know the difference with the M-668 and if this is ANS31 accurate, but it could be an option for you.
Thanks @Saint-ex ;).
I've seen it too, and it's my first option if I can't find a M-668. The major difference I can see is in the shape of the collar, I prefer the round one of the M-668, but the ANS31 is still an option, the fact that it's made in France is also a good point, with the fact that it's the same '"sand" summer color.

The good old K2B is also still available, it all depends on the size.
I have 2 of them and both (1969) are in business when I flew in the flying club in the summer on small birds, very comfy.
100% cotton, safe for glider's flights on which there can be no fire for sure
Thanks @Flightengineer !
Is it possible to find a K2B in "sand" color?
Actually it's what I like with the M-668. ;)
 

Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
Thanks @Saint-ex ;).
I've seen it too, and it's my first option if I can't find a M-668. The major difference I can see is in the shape of the collar, I prefer the round one of the M-668, but the ANS31 is still an option, the fact that it's made in France is also a good point, with the fact that it's the same '"sand" summer color.


Thanks @Flightengineer !
Is it possible to find a K2B in "sand" color?
Actually it's what I like with the M-668. ;)

never seen sand, my olive
But they fade quickly after washing and become lighter
 

Saint-ex

Well-Known Member
I also find it nicer in sand color as well as the buttoned pockets, even if objectively the K2B is surely more practical, I like the vintage side shared between the M-668 and the ANS31.

I'm looking forward to see a picture of you in your planner with that Flying suit and the M-422. The japs, uh... the gusts of wind just have to watch out! ;)
 
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pierregloom

Well-Known Member
I also find it nicer in sand color as well as the buttoned pockets, even if objectively the K2B is surely more practical, I like the vintage side shared between the M-668 and the ANS31.

I looking forward to see a picture of you in your planner with that Flying suit and the M-422. The japs, uh... the gusts of wind just have to watch out! ;)
That's exactly what I'm planning to do ! The combination of the M-422 jacket and a vintage sand flight-suit just looks perfect, and may feel perfect too for autumn flights :p
 

Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what type of flight suit it is but it seems USN.
Worn in the movie Midway. Size 40...

 

pierregloom

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what type of flight suit it is but it seems USN.
Worn in the movie Midway. Size 40...

Thanks @Kermit3D ! Interesting one, the collar's not round, but looks really good though!
 

ausreenactor

Well-Known Member
Here is a replica of the ANS31, available and made in France :


Since I'm not a specialist, I don't know the difference with the M-668 and if this is ANS31 accurate, but it could be an option for you.
Some great kit available here!
 

Saint-ex

Well-Known Member
I personally prefer the version with buttoned pocket.
And a tailor could easily modify the ANS31 collars to a rounded version as 668 if you like it.
 

pierregloom

Well-Known Member
Yesterday I ordered what seems to be a great flight suit : (picture from the seller, I don't have received it yet)
1662997467.jpeg

It's a type 52 flightsuit, the French production of the USN M-668 suit for the Aeronavale in Indochine !
The size looked very close to a fun fake fur suit I already had so I'm quite eager to receive it :D.
My first original, for 80€, I think I could not pass the offer.
It looks really close to the pictures I've seen of the M-668, and I know someone in my gliding club who is friend with a pilot who fought during this war flying a Bearcat (colonel Claude Liédet), so may be I will be able to learn more about the story of this flight suit.

I'm happy because, at least, I learned that these suits had been manufactured under license for the French.
What I didn't know before.

Can't wait to show you pictures of it !

I know I said I didn't want to wear an original suit for fear of damaging it, but it's so hard to find an M-668 reproduction that I couldn't pass this one up.

 

pierregloom

Well-Known Member
And it fits just like I wanted it to !!!

So happy :D

I just tried it on to check the size, as it is supposed to be a Christmas gift (and now I'm like a kid who can't wait to be on Christmas, I shouldn't have said that !). And it's perfect, even when I sit which is a quite common issue with flightsuits fit.

I even tried it with my M-422A on and it's amazing, just feel like one of them, flying a Bearcat or a Corsair !!! But That I'll show you guys after Christmas...

There are two little oil stains on the back, a pocket has been repaired, but otherwise it's an original pretty well preserved.

The label is there, but a bit worn, and the ink that was used on that kind of French production suits has disappeared due to successive washings I guess.
It is perfect, at least exactly as I expected !

IMG_2350 2.jpg
 
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