Original WW2 RAF Officer's Service Dress - Mosquito Pilot 157 SQDN 100 Group

An original Second World War Royal Air Force officer's service dress suit which belonged to 34131 R. Gordon Slade who was a pilot who served with the RAF throughout the Second World War. Born in 1912, Slade joined the RAF in the inter-war period. By 1941 he was the officer commanding of the Testing Flight at Boscombe Down. He was responsible for carrying out the RAF (A&AEE) proving trials on all the Mosquito prototypes until October 1941. He was given command of the first Mosquito fighter Squadron 157,which was formed at Debden on Dec the 13th 1941. On August the 22nd 1942 while flying in DD612,he shot down a Dornier DO217. During the last year of the war, he commanded Raf Swannington in 100 Group with 85 and 157 Mosquito Squadrons. After the war he became Chief Test Pilot and Superintendent of Flying with Fairey Aviation, and flew the maiden flights on the Fairey FD1, VX350 on 10 March 1951 and the Fairey Gannet. He was involved in the establishment of a new World Absolute Speed Record of 1132 miles per hour by a Fairey Delta II, which was piloted by Peter Twiss in 1956. He was awarded an OBE in 1957.

The uniform is the pattern used by all RAF Officers throughout the Second World War and was superseded shortly after the conflict by a three button version. This genuine wartime example features a full set of brass kings crown buttons and matching brass belt buckle. A set of padded pilots wings are fitted above the left breast pocket below which are medal ribbons including the Aircrew Europe star with rosette. The cuff features four rings of rank braid which denote the rank of Wing Commander.

Inside the tunic features a full lining, a hanging loop to the neck, a First Field Dressing pocket and a single interior pocket. Inside this is the maker's label which bears the name of 'Gieves' below which is the original owner's name.

The trousers are again typical of the era being cut with a high rise to the waist and wide leg. The front of the trousers are pleated and slash pockets can be found in each side seam. The fly features buttons and more are fitted around the waist to support braces, all of which are contrasting butterscotch coloured examples. There is a label inside the trousers which matches the one in the tunic.

The jacket will suit around a 38" chest and when laid flat it measures - 

Jacket
Chest - 21"
Waist - 18"
Inside arm - 18 1/4"
Outside arm - 25 1/2"
Shoulders - 18"
Length - 29 1/2"

Trousers
Waist - 17"
Inside leg - 31 1/2"

The condition of the suit is good and it displays very well. It has clearly been worn but overall it is in reasonable condition. The trousers have some small holes which are illustrated in the pictures and there is some moth damage around the pilots wing in the tunic. There are also a couple of small moth nips to the cuff and skirt of the jacket. Please study the pictures and bear in mind that this is a vintage suit which may have other small issues commensurate with wear. 

A historically significant uniform which would make a fine addition to any RAF collection.

This is a vintage item which is 'sold as seen'