What the RAF Airman Took to War by Howard Bill

Author:Howard, Bill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: What the RAF Airman Took to War
ISBN: 9781784420772
Publisher: Osprey Publishing Ltd
Published: 2015-05-09T16:00:00+00:00

1941 PATTERN ‘MAE WEST’ LIFE JACKET

During the Battle of Britain, RAF pilots wore the old 1932 Pattern life jacket. It was a clumsy, green cotton quill waistcoat that closed with three buttons and two buckled straps and featured a flotation bladder that needed to be inflated orally by the user. As a result of the limitations, pilots awaiting scramble usually inflated the bladders partially before buckling into the cockpit. The resulting bulging appearance of the vest earned the nickname ‘Mae West’ in honour of the buxom actress. In July 1941, the Life Jacket Mark I was introduced and remained the primary RAF life jacket for the rest of the war. Life jackets were treated as part of an airman’s kit and they were often decorated with squadron insignia, cartoons or the owner’s name. The example shown here (from the Australian War Memorial collections) belonged to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Flight Lieutenant T. E. W. Howes of No. 70 Squadron, RAF and features his name, an inked drawing of an observer brevet wing, a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) ribbon and a drawing of a shield in red and blue. A red ribbon scroll written in black ink under the shield reads: ‘What We Have We Hold’.

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