Italian Regia Aeronautica Flying Jacket

A quite beautiful example of a WW2 period Italian Flying Jacket made Giusti of Rome who produced flying clothing prior to and during WW2, but it has to be said may also have done so in the immediate post war period.

The material appears to be Italian gabardine with knitted cuffs and waistband. There are two open slanted pockets with an open map pocket above. A single zip closes the Jacket up to the lay flat collar beneath which a buttoned flap is provided to wear the collar up. A shoulder strap is in place at each shoulder.

Inside, the lining is silk, but a removable wool lining is attached with buttons which incorporates a fur collar so that the lining and collar can both be removed during warmer flying conditions.

Overall condition is very good with wear at the openings to the pockets, either side of the zip in places and inside one waist pocket. Three of the lining buttons are missing at the waist.

The Jacket is a large size as these were a full cut and will easily fit up to a clothed 42” chest.

A little known fact is that the Regia Aeronautica as well as being a major player in the Mediterranean air war, did in fact participate in the closing stages of the Battle of Britain, operating from what is now Brussels. The results were disastrous for them, and they suffered heavy losses, one victim, a Fiat biplane still being on display at Hendon. A Fiat bomber came down in a wooded area in Suffolk and when Hurricane Pilots from Martlesham Heath visited the Bomber, which landed intact, they found bottles of Chianti and Palma ham still inside the aircraft, provided no doubt as crew refreshments!

The Regia Aeronautica was soon removed from Northern Europe as they had no experience in instrument flying which resulted in a number of aircraft becoming lost on their way to the UK from Belgium.

This Jacket appears to be exactly the same as those worn during the Battle of Britain flights.

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