The White Prestige Suit

[flyboy]

Found a great "White Prestige Suit" at UK based GREYCAR.

http://www.greycar.com/product.php?product_id=Overalls

Not exactly like the RAF Prestige Suit from the late 30s - but if this was good enough for "The Bentley Boys"back then, it's good enough for me.

 

[Andrew]

Yeah, they look great, but you have to wonder about the choice of fabric colour for all things mechanical.

 

[flyboy]

I think some of the "prestige" was to wear them as dirty and greasy as possible.

 

[Lebensgefahr]

Hi

The prestige suit you have shown may be a close copy of motoring overalls of the time but i`m afraid it`s bears no resemblance to prestige suits used during the war.While there were several different patterns used the most common were by D Lewis or S Lewis and these differ from the one you have shown considerably.They had two chest pockets,eppaulettes,two open calf pockets,zip closure to the front, a buckle and tab closure to the collar,zip closure to the wrists and ankles and the belt was fitted with a buckle.
They came in three colours(blue,black and white)and there were two grades of material and they were made with a conventional collar and with a collar stand.

I have three original suits,one in each colour and i have the manufacturers specifications(also i have handled a number of other suits owned by friends) so i speak with a certain amount of experience.
I have seen the repros on the market and while they are a lot closer to the originals if you have handled an original you can spot them a mile off even if they have taken on some age.

Hope this helps
Lebensgefahr

 

[flyboy]

Thank you Lebensgefahr - I know it's not the same as the RAF suit. (Never said so either )
I also know that Pegasus Militaria still make some repro RAF suits, which should be pretty close to the originals. I have yet to see one of their repros though - but they are about double up in price. Just thought some of our members were motorists instead of flyboys - and it had their interest.

 

[dmar836]

I think some of the "prestige" was to wear them as dirty and greasy as possible.

That shouldn't take too long!

 

[rich]

Didn't Keith Park wear one of these Soren (or is that just from the BoB movie?)

 

[flyboy]

I am old - but not that old. I wasn't there :lol: :lol: :lol:
No - I do believe he sported one of these, when he flew around in his own Hurricane visiting his squadrons during BoB.
I have been trying to find a pic but no luck up to now.