RAF 1933 Flying Gloves / Gauntlets with Centre Zip

1933 Royal Air Force Flying Gauntlets.

These RAF 1933 model Gauntlets were issued to all aircrew in Fighter and Bomber command to keep there hands warm and offer a level of protection, especially from flash burns if the aircraft had been hit and caught fire.

Introduced in 1933 and used throughout WW2 they were a highly prized and well guarded by the pilots as theft of these was very common by ground crew and army paratroopers.

Constructed of soft chestnut brown leather outer. On the inside the top of the hand has a light fleece lining for warmth whilst the fingers and palm are unlined to allow the pilots to feel the controls of the plane, the upper arm of the gauntlet part is soft sheepskin leather. To ease putting them on a straight brass zipper with leather puller ran from wrist to cuff. 

Shoe size is same as your hand

• Medium to fit size UK 8 hand/shoe
• Large to fit size UK 9 hand/shoe
• X-Large to fit size UK 10 hand/shoe
• XX-Large to fit UK 11 Hand/Shoe

Much RAF clothing was worn after the war in the 1950's by bikers who either bought them cheaply from the army navy stores or had them still from service in the war. The Irvin sheepskin jackets, white roll neck jumpers, leather flying boots and the gauntlets were worn by many rockers.