RAF Observers Harnessuit by Brookes with Harness 1940

Whilst the Irvin Harness Suit (Combined Flying Jacket) is not uncommon to find those manufactured by J. B. Brooks & Co. Ltd., Birmingham, England are extremely rare and only a handful are known to exist. Of those and indeed those made by Irvin, complete examples as I have here are virtually unheard of. This is the Observer Type and is complete with its harness and Mae West Stole.

The Jacket itself is in overall very good condition with some rodent damage on the lower right side near the leg opening, and near the right shoulder, both of which I have shown in the pictures. The two full length zips work perfectly with  DOT marked runners as do those on the pockets, all of which have their leather pulls. All nickel plated press fasteners are present and work well being free from corrosion and with their enamelled covering. Inside there is a large J.B. Brooks label with a number of stamps and what I believe to be a 1940 date and “Type Observer” and “Size Medium”. All dished brass buttons are in place and the hanging chain is intact.

The rare harness is complete and again has the Brooks manufacture’s label and a clear November 1940 date. It remains clean with two areas of slight rodent nibbling associated with the holes in the jacket but remains perfectly sound. A special sleeve in the jacket accommodates the harness tail with hook for the dinghy lanyard.  Naturally both heavy sprung Parachute Pack Attachment Clips are in place.

The stole is AM marked but in poor condition only. It will not inflate and the tube has been repaired with a later mouthpiece. There is no air bottle, but the important inflation lever is attached.

An almost impossible to obtain complete piece comparative in scarcity only with the GQ Parasuit. Ideal for an early bomber command or Battle of Britain twin engined fighter display.

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