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Luftwaffe 'Sommerfliegerkombi' summer weight flying suit.
Maker: Karl Heisler
Luftwaffe unlined cotton 'Sommerfliegerkombi' one-piece summerweight flying suit. The suit is made from heavy weight brown and white flecked 'salt and pepper' cotton, and features a long diagonal 66 cm concealed zipper running from right shoulder to left hip. A button down flap at the right shoulder prevents wind from entering this zip fastening. At the crutch is a vertical 24 cm zipper fly. Zippers also close the cuffs and the legs, (to the knee) the cuffs having concealed elasticized inner cuffs made of a grey cotton fabric, which are fitted with press stud fastenings. Two waist zips permit access to clothing worn underneath the suit. Above the knee there would originally have been a pair of internal cargo pockets with zip fasteners, but both the zipper and pocket on the left leg have been removed and a section of matching fabric machine stitched over the opening. The pocket on the right leg has had its zipper rather crudely removed, leaving a simple slash opening, the edges of which are torn and damaged. A pair of leather loops for the attachment of oxygen mask clips are stitched to the centre of the chest. There is a small vertical map pocket on the left side of the chest, next to the concealed ring pull emergency release system which runs from left shoulder to left hip. A flap with a press stud fastening conceals a 59 cm cord laced through metal eyes and leather tongues, the top end being attached to a 4 cm metal ring, mounted under the press stud. Pulling this ring enabled the lacing to be undone so that injured aircrew could be treated without causing further injury or discomfort. The collar, which has an adjustable press stud fastening, may be turned up, and secured by passing a leather strap through a metal ring, and turning back to attach to press studs. A white cotton manufacturer's label reading 'Karl Heisler BERLIN C 2' is sewn vertically to the upper inside face of the emergency release.
The 'Sommerfliegerkombi' was produced in very large numbers for the use of Luftwaffe aircrew, and was generally associated with bomber crews, who often needed to be able to move around inside their aircraft. Some fighter pilots also favoured the comfort and ease of mobility offered by the design, although it lacked adequate storage space for survival equipment. Early versions of the suit lacked the emergency ring-pull access device, and featured a horizontal fly opening, which indicates that this is probably a later war example.
FK-34 summer weight flying helmet made in 1938.
Maker: G. A. HOFFMAN BERLIN
The helmet is made of light brown flecked fabric lined with olive green cotton sateen, and has a pair of chamois lined leather cross-over chin straps which buckle at each cheek. A metal hook beneath each earpiece and a wire loop on an adjustable cotton webbing strap mounted above the forehead enable the 3-strap Luftwaffe oxygen mask (not present) to be attached. There is no provision for communication equipment. On the rear of the helmet above the neck are a pair of leather press-stud loops, intended to retain the goggle strap. A black cotton label stitched inside the lining is machine embroidered with the words 'G. A. HOFFMAN BERLIN S.W.29 1938', and stamped in white paint with the numeral '58'. A partially legible stamp in black ink inside the left hand chinstrap appears to read 'L. Kgs Sch F Bruck'.
The FK34 summer weight flying helmet, and its fleece lined leather winter equivalent, the K33, were introduced in 1936, and designed for aircrew positions which did not require radio communication. During the early years of the Second World War, this included many pilots of single engined fighters, as well as training crews and some combat positions on larger aircraft. Production continued until about 1943, although they had long been superceded in service in by the LKp 100 and 101 series helmets with built in headphones and microphone equipment.
Luftwaffe 'Sommerfliegerkombi' summer weight flying suit.
c. 1944-5
Maker: Karl Heisler, Berlin.
One piece summer weight flying suit as used by Luftwaffe forces during World War Two, and normally referred to as a 'sommerfliegerkombi'. Made from heavy weight khaki cotton (as opposed to the more common 'salt and pepper' weave), the suit features a long diagonal 63 cm zipper running from the right shoulder to the top of the fly, directly below which is a vertical 18.5 cm zipper fly. This fly (previously horizontal) indicates a later war version of the suit. Zippers also close the cuffs and the legs to the knees, while two waist zips allow access to the clothing underneath the suit. A pair of cargo pockets mounted just above knee level are also provided with zips. Another feature marking this as a later war suit is the ring pull emergency release incorporated into the left hand side of the suit. Concealed by a vertical flap, this 60 cm long leather reinforced release system features a cord laced through metal eyes and leather tongues, with one end attached to a 4 cm metal ring, externally mounted. By pulling on this ring, the lacing could be undone and a wounded crew member removed from the suit without the need for undoing zippers. A triangular flap of fabric with a snap fastener (missing on this example) closes over the ring. The right breast has a 5.2 cm x 2.5 cm rectangle of felt sewn to it which displays evidence of previously having a badge pinned to it. Two hook and eyes are provided for closing the collar. The belt loops exist but the belt is missing. The manufacturer's label is sewn vertically to the inside of the emergency release.
Fighter pilot's 'Channel Suit' trousers 1943.
Luftwaffe unlined cotton summerweight flying 'Channel Trousers'. They are made from heavy weight brown and white flecked 'salt and pepper' cotton, and have a buttoned waistband, adjustable by cotton tapes with metal sliding buckles. Attached to the waistband at each hip is a loop of cotton tape with a metal buckle for attachment to braces. At the rear are two pairs of black plastic buttons, also for use with braces. The seat of the trousers is reinforced with a second layer of fabric. The fly is fastened by a 36 cm zipper fly. Zippers also close the lower leg sections to the knee, and two slash openings on the hips, which permit access to clothing worn underneath the trousers. There are five external pockets for the storage of survival equipment. Each thigh has an expanding patch pocket covered with flaps. These are secured with two snap fasteners. On the side of the upper right thigh is an internal pistol holster. On the lower right leg are two narrow pockets. The upper pocket has the opening at the bottom and is secured on one corner by a snap fastener. The left thigh has an internal pocket with a zip fastener concealing a pair of leather loops. The knees are internally reinforced with a panel of blue velveteen. Markings on the seat show where a pair of external patch pockets have been removed. The inside of the front left waistband is stamped in purple ink with the maker's markings '1A 4.43 RBN (obscured) 2549'.
The Luftwaffe's two-piece 'Channel Suit' flying clothing was adopted during the Battle of Britain in 1940, as aircrew recognised the need for storage pockets to hold survival equipment in the event of a forced landing, particularly at sea. Items which could be packed in the many pockets of the 'Channel Trousers' included; a sea rescue light ('Seenotleuchte'), flag ('Seenotflagge'), signal mirror ('Blendspiegel'), knife, cigarettes, whistle, matches, field dressings, dextrose tablets, chocolate, caffeine, frostbite cream and canned fresh water. Although named for the English Channel, which was then the body of water most frequently crossed by German airmen, these suits were eventually worn in every theatre of operations.
Flying gauntlets : Luftwaffe
Date made: 1942
Pair of Luftwaffe airman's leather flying gauntlets. The gauntlets are of thin brown kid leather with three raised ridges stitched down the back of each hand. There is a leather adjustment strap on the back of the wrist, with the word 'NAPPA' impressed into the brown plastic snap-fastener of the left hand glove, and the words 'Hamerli Pecs.' on the right. The stiff cuffs have an expanding gusset at the bottom edge. They are lined with a coarse pale brown fabric, and are stamped on the outside with the date '1942' and a defaced device which may be a crown. The white numeral '14' is stamped inside the left hand glove, and the yellow numerals '68' and '22' inside the right.
This style of glove was favoured by Luftwaffe aircrew operating larger and less well heated aircraft on lengthy bombing and maritime patrol operations. Fighter pilots generally preferred to wear a shorter glove without the gauntlet, which was felt to give greater freedom of movement.
Pair of black leather, rubber soled, mid-calf length Luftwaffe flying boots. The boots are lined with sheepskin and have a zip opening on each inside leg, with a snap-fastening flap at the top. There are buckled strap adjustments across the instep and around the top of the boots. Although the boots date from the Second World War they appear to have been resoled at a later date.
