I am doing some research into flying clothing worn by aircrew during WW2, particularly kit issued to aircrew who flew on the Dams Raid. As far as I can ascertain, they wore the following(the numbers that follow are the RAF Stores Reference Number):
C type helmets, early pattern, sizes 1 -4 449 - 452
or C type helmets, size 1 - 4, 877 - 880
Mk 7 goggles, 826
or Mk 8 goggles, 930
G type oxygen masks, 643 -645
Frock white jumpers, no number available
Battle dress Mk2, blouse 1801 - 1814
trousers 1815 - 1828
Mk 2A blouse 1928 - 1942
trousers 1943 - 1957
Flying jacket size 2, 326
Mae West, 1941 pattern, 446 - 448
Stoles for Mae Wests, 72?
Kapok pads for Mae Wests, 93?
Parachute harness, chest observer and seat(pilot's)no number available
Parachute, chest observer and seat(Pilots) type, no number available
Gloves, silk, sizes 8 - 10 259 - 263
Gloves, chamois leather, sizes 8 - 9, in halves, 431 - 433
Gloves, chamois leather, sizes 9.5 - 10, 992 - 993
Knitted gloves, 434
1941 pattern gauntlets, right hand, 761 - 765
1941 pattern gauntlets, left hand, 756 -760
12V electrically heated gloves, 243- 250
24V electrically heated gloves, 251 -258
1941 pattern boots, 748-755
Sock, lambswood(insoles for boots), 234 - 242
Whistle, 1186
Taylor buoyancy suits, 738 - 740
Kapok pads for Taylor suits, 837
Electrically heated suits(Gunners?) 2206 2220
Items crews may not have worn on Dams Raid
1941 pattern flying suit, 773 - 779
Waistcoats, pressure, Mk 1A, 1371 - 1374
1943 pattern boots,917 -924
Knife for 1943 pattern boots, 948,
Socks for 1943 pattern boots, 933 - 940
Socks, electrically heated, 720 - 725
Goggles, night-vision training - indoor, 1040
outdoor, 1041
general, 1042
Frame for Mk 8 goggles, with elastic headband, 982
Goggles, night-navigation training, 576
Fasteners, oxygen tube, 70
If anyone can think of anything else, the Dams Raid crews would have worn, please let me know.
I am also interested in the equipment they were issued with, like bubble sextants, navigators, canvas bags and navigational computers(used for triangle of velocities calculations)etc.
What I want for the clothing and the equipment are specifications and store reference numbers for the equipment they used.
If anyone can help, I'd be extremely grateful.
