RAF Leather Flying Jacket
Now here's a question. With the new RAF policy on wearing blues, and the inability to wear the RAF Approved Jacket when flying, the opportunity to wear this item of clothing is less than ever. Do you think we should be afforded the option to wear the RAF Approved Jacket with No2s? It is certainly smarter than the nasty cloth General Purpose Jacket (GPJ)!!!
A further option; with the jacket pictured above there is a jacket that the non-brevet wearing personnel could also wear - if they wanted to?
Anyone else got thoughts on this?
Why do I ask - I hate the GPJ, the issue rain-mac really does make me look like an RAC man (the nasty reflective strip doesn't help!) and the Greatcoat is too camp now that John Barryman wears one!
The B Word
A further option; with the jacket pictured above there is a jacket that the non-brevet wearing personnel could also wear - if they wanted to?
Anyone else got thoughts on this?
Why do I ask - I hate the GPJ, the issue rain-mac really does make me look like an RAC man (the nasty reflective strip doesn't help!) and the Greatcoat is too camp now that John Barryman wears one!
The B Word
1. Leather Jackets to be worn by SNCOs up (at personal expense) with No 2 HD.
2. Brevets (operationally optional - like the AAC) on CS95/DCC.
3. Updated name badges for No 2 HD with Brevets for aircrew and RAF Logo for others.
4. New style stable-belt on issue to all from 2012.
5. Decent wet weather outerwear and fatigues for those working on aircraft.
6. Possible scrapping of officers' uniform tax relief and free issue to all (possibly excluding No1 and No 5).
Thank you Sir, for trying to stop me looking like an RAC man or train conductor! Also for seeing parity of dress in JHC/PJHQ between RAF and AAC aircrew dressed in CS95. Finally, for looking after the freezing linies' needs.However, if you believe Bast0n, maybe you should have issued a "brown hat" - which apparently there is nothing wrong with these days (shame on you Mr Bast0n!).
LJ
I also saw it today as a letter by AMP to AOCs et al and can confirm LJ's post. Also, the AP1358 has been updated on the INTRANET (not internet, yet) to reflect the CS95/DCC and Leather Jacket stuff.
Thumbs up for AMP
P.S. The Leather Jacket reference is in AP1358 Ch2 para 0220 on the Intranet (DII/F).
Thumbs up for AMP
P.S. The Leather Jacket reference is in AP1358 Ch2 para 0220 on the Intranet (DII/F).
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Just an aside...but I noticed recently when the RNZAF CAF visited in hospital the sole survivor of a serious helicopter crash on ANZAC Day, he was wearing a very flash leather jacket. So was the lady Sqn Ldr with him; his PA I presume.
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So what jacket is the 'official' one? Is it styled straight from the 70's or (heaven forbid) the 80's just like the haircut of this young devil modelling it? 
How about Aviation Letharcraft's NATO TIGER leather aircrew jacket, designed by and for 230 Sqn?
Its got the side pockets with snap close but the sleeve left side pen pockets have zipped pouch but not velcro cover.
Its got the side pockets with snap close but the sleeve left side pen pockets have zipped pouch but not velcro cover.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Sizes
36" to 52" English (91 cm - 132cms) chest with option of regular or long fit.
36" to 52" English (91 cm - 132cms) chest with option of regular or long fit.
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It's this one, according to the email sent round about it today, so just the generic Aircrew Jacket, not the crazy variety of other ones they sell.
Taken from the Aviation Leathercraft website About Us page:
In terms of working with the RAF, I guess the biggest feather in our cap and one of the many highlights we’ve enjoyed was being asked to design and create a flight jacket for them: not for a Squadron, but for the RAF itself!
Working with the RAF we designed a flight jacket that suited their needs and met their appropriately high standards. This jacket, the MoD Approved Pattern RAF Aircrew Leather Jacket, is the only leather jacket included in the official dress code and it’s only available to serving aircrew. So, while you can’t have one, it’s perhaps nice to know that what has gone into the RAF jacket, the Squadron jackets and the inimitable Irvin - all of that skill and history, excellent materials and unrivalled British craftsmanship, has gone into your jacket too.
Working with the RAF we designed a flight jacket that suited their needs and met their appropriately high standards. This jacket, the MoD Approved Pattern RAF Aircrew Leather Jacket, is the only leather jacket included in the official dress code and it’s only available to serving aircrew. So, while you can’t have one, it’s perhaps nice to know that what has gone into the RAF jacket, the Squadron jackets and the inimitable Irvin - all of that skill and history, excellent materials and unrivalled British craftsmanship, has gone into your jacket too.
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Speaking of Monty - Privilege of rank allowed WW2 senior officers
a variety of unusual garb - In several books on Monty can be found a
photo of him dressed in what at first sight appears to be British battledress - But look again - Monty's outfit is far too smart and well cut to be British -
It is in fact standard GI Joe issue - May have been a gift from Ike !
a variety of unusual garb - In several books on Monty can be found a
photo of him dressed in what at first sight appears to be British battledress - But look again - Monty's outfit is far too smart and well cut to be British -
It is in fact standard GI Joe issue - May have been a gift from Ike !
Here's a piccy of the correct pattern (a copy made by Pop's Leather in Incerlik, Turkey and not the genuine Aviation Leathercraft item). The link above with Rory Underwood in the picture is close but is not the official pattern - this has only ever been available to RAF Aircrew. The Rory Underwood jacket differs in that it has knitted cuffs and not the "storm cuffs" on the official pattern.
The Union Flag is a Op Northern Watch "Blood Chit" that can be stitched in at $10 or so.
By the way, the post on the first page has a pic of the jacket without a brevet holder for those that don't want/need it.
Saw a few around MoD today on Wednesday "Uniform Day".
LJ
PS. there are some pics within AP1358 within the aircrew clothing section.
The Union Flag is a Op Northern Watch "Blood Chit" that can be stitched in at $10 or so.
By the way, the post on the first page has a pic of the jacket without a brevet holder for those that don't want/need it.
Saw a few around MoD today on Wednesday "Uniform Day".
LJ
PS. there are some pics within AP1358 within the aircrew clothing section.
Here's a link to the AP1359 (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...00FC6755B7.pdf) - see page 6-6. You must ignore the instruction of not wearing the jacket with No2s as this version of the AP is out of date.
The B Word
The B Word
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From: Aviation Leathercraft (Moto-Lita Ltd)
Specification
Leather
Highest specification hard-wearing supple cowhide.
Colour
Blue-slate with grey lining.
Lining
100% cotton drill.
Pockets
Two outside side entry pockets with snap closure, one deep inside pocket with snap closure and one left-hand sleeve pen pocket with a Velcro secured flap.
Rank
Velcro secured epaulettes.
Cuffs/Waistband
Cuffs are leather with a secreted storm cuff and the waistband is leather with elasticated side panels.
Zips
Heavy-duty brass.
(Optional detachable sheepskin collar and brevet holder).
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Seen the letter, the appropriate jacket may be worn by all SNCOs or above and is available from Leathercraft or Pop's at Incirlik, but I don't recall any details of the model, just that it's an extortionate £300-£310 from Leathercraft depending on size, and quoted as $360 from Pop's.
I note we're also going back to the disastrous (IMHO) smooth v-neck version of the pullover, which may be worn with or without tie. Bizarrly, that means one or 2 people round here will accidentally be coming back into fashion soon!
Thicker shirts with re-modelled collars (slightly bigger I hope), and a better shape.
Also, the latest trousers are to be in a different material and re-designed, especially for the ladies.
The kicker is that existing stocks of the routine stuff will have to be used-up before the new stuff is issued, except for officers who have to pay so can get the new stuff as soon as it's available.
There is no news on the rumour that those serving beyond 55 are to be issued with RAF cardigans, or that the new name badges will have little star symbols to show what we can do (part of the resettlement plans to ease our transition into the jobs market).
STH
I note we're also going back to the disastrous (IMHO) smooth v-neck version of the pullover, which may be worn with or without tie. Bizarrly, that means one or 2 people round here will accidentally be coming back into fashion soon!
Thicker shirts with re-modelled collars (slightly bigger I hope), and a better shape.
Also, the latest trousers are to be in a different material and re-designed, especially for the ladies.
The kicker is that existing stocks of the routine stuff will have to be used-up before the new stuff is issued, except for officers who have to pay so can get the new stuff as soon as it's available.
There is no news on the rumour that those serving beyond 55 are to be issued with RAF cardigans, or that the new name badges will have little star symbols to show what we can do (part of the resettlement plans to ease our transition into the jobs market).
STH
