Item 2021.39 - Royal Flying Corps Sidcot Flying Suit

Identity area

Reference code

2021.39

Title

Royal Flying Corps Sidcot Flying Suit

Date(s)

  • 1917 (Creation)

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Item

Extent and medium

1

Context area

Name of creator

Unknown

Biographical history

Repository

Westminster Menswear Archive

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Content and structure area

Scope and content

Khaki yellow heavy cotton flight suit, designed for warmth and wind resistance, featuring a wool pile lining and a sheepskin collar. Made from tightly woven cotton twill, it provides added wind protection, with the wool pile inner and sheepskin collar enhancing insulation. The suit fastens at the front with large corozo nut buttons and includes wide, angled map pockets on the lower legs for practical storage.

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      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Condition: Fair. Has stains and the lining has substantial moth damage and grazing.
      Materials: Cotton

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      From Inside the Westminster Menswear Archive:

      SIDCOT FLYING SUIT
      Royal Flying Corps
      1917
      The Sidcot flying suit was invented in 1917 by Sidney Cotton, a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Having flown missions repeatedly at high altitude and low temperatures led him to devise a multilayered one-piece suit that maintained body heat at elevation. The Sidcot suit was widely used by the RNAS and was formally adopted by the War Office as Sealed Pattern 9686 on 10 December 1917. The suit is made of tightly woven cotton twill for wind resistance and features a wool pile inner and sheepskin collar for additional warmth. It has a front closure, fastening with large corozo nut buttons, and has wide, angled map pockets on the lower leg.
      Cotton, Wool
      Archive no. 2021.39

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