WWII 1941 RAF Waterproof Sleeping Suit 22C/444 Lindholme Survival Gear Rare

A scarce original Second World War Royal Air Force Waterproof Sleeping / Cold-Water Survival Suit, dated 1941.

This unusual RAF survival garment is constructed in the form of a long waterproof body bag with sleeves rather than conventional separate trouser legs. It was designed to provide protection from cold and exposure, particularly for aircrew who had ditched at sea or were awaiting rescue.

The suit is made from a mustard/yellow rubberised cotton-type fabric and features a long central metal zip together with zippered hand openings at the ends of the sleeves, allowing the wearer to free their hands when required.

The interior chest area is clearly marked:

1941
22C/444

together with RAF / Air Ministry-style inspection markings.

Later RAF technical documentation describes the Waterproof Sleeping Suit system under Stores References 22C/443 and 22C/444, comprising waterproof outer and insulated inner components.

This type of waterproof sleeping/survival suit is also known to have been associated with RAF Lindholme air-sea rescue equipment, which was developed during the Second World War for dropping survival supplies to ditched aircrew. Period descriptions of Lindholme Gear include waterproof sleeping suits among the survival equipment carried. While it is not possible to prove that this particular example formed part of a specific Lindholme pack, it is of the correct specialist RAF survival type associated with that system.

The suit retains period metal zip fittings, including Lightning marked examples.

Condition:
Overall a good, honest wartime example showing expected age, storage wear and use.

There is visible staining and spotting to the fabric, particularly around the sleeves and lower areas, together with general creasing and age-related marks. The suit remains substantially complete and retains its important original zip fittings and internal markings.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

A particularly uncommon piece of WWII RAF air-sea rescue and survival equipment, with strong interest for collectors of Lindholme Gear, Coastal Command, flying clothing and wartime RAF survival equipment.

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