Winter Flight Jackets

[kraut425]

Us fighter guys in Canada have just been authorized to wear the green nomex flight suits (a la USAF) we've been fighting for for years. But like any new piece of kit there are the usual teathing problems. We've been issued the green nomex winter flying jackets but are not authorized to wear them while flying due to the "harsh winters". This means we still have to wear our old CF blue flying jackets with the funky 70's fake fur collar. My question is does anyone know what the USAF guys wear in the cold (ie. Elmondorf)? Since according to some, their kit doesn't seem to cut it here.

[MajorMadMax]

Do you have an email address? I have a bud who was a WSO in F-15E's at Elmendorf who's not on this list but I can email him if you don't get the answer you need. My email is on my account, drop me a line.

Cheers!

[pshakey]

QH,

I wore my green flying suit and blue winter flying gear for all my winter flying at YBG and got quite attached to my fake fur collar!! I can almost guarantee that whatever you get to replace it won't be as good......trust me. I've used lots of other stuff, and its crap in comparison. You might not look as sharp as you'd like, but then again, you are still flying the sweetest jet on God's earth, and who's looking at you if you bang out in -30 deg C ?! The CF winter flying jacket, pants and Matterhorn boots are the best flying clothing kit out there. Think carefully about the alternatives before you ask to get rid of the (excellent) kit you already have! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[Zoom]

I flew F-4s for 2 years at Elmendorf in the late 70s so this is probably only of historical interest now. We wore a padded winter flight suit (not Nomex and dating from the 50s, I suspect) and either a padded winter flight jacket (with normal collar) or a short parka (with real wolverine fur-edged hood!). There were also some half-length parkas but these were too bulky for the F-4. On our feet we wore either lace-up mukluks with felt liners or the oddest looking white rubber inflatable boots, which were too bulky to fit into the steps on the side of the aircraft so not many wore those. We also had those odd hats with ear flaps but most wore navy blue woollen balaclavas. I don't remember having any gloves other than the regular Nomex jobs. Overall the kit was very good and effective; flying stopped at -30 or -40 (can't quite remember) and it worked well down to that level.

The parkas were very smart and were viewed as V&A items, so when reached their sell-by dates they were bundled up and buried in a very deep hole on base. What a waste!

[Cooperman]

QH, you're quite right of course, blue and green should never be seen. However, JWP's spot on about your gear - it is excellent and having done Frosted Flyer I wouldn't want to wear anything else. Have you felt the thickness of the Brit 'cold weather' jacket? V similar to your summer one. I wouldn't want to bang out over the Scottish Highlands in that!

By the way, you don't HAVE to wear the fur collar you know - although I do find it rather fetching, particularly when worn with the SD hat you know.

Toodle pip.

[15/15 flex]

I'm going to take mine back and try wearing it with RAF No2 in the winter. Should cause a few blunties to rupture a vital organ or two.....

[pshakey]

Cooperman,

Sadly, at Bagotville you DO have to wear your 1970s fur collar.....Harry Staish gets very upset if he sees you without it!