RAF 1941 Flying Gloves/Gauntlets with Side Zipper

1941 Royal Air Force Flying Gauntlets.

These RAF 1941 model Gauntlets were issued to all Aircrew in Fighter and Bomber command to keep there hands warm and protect them especially from flash burns when Aircraft had been hit and caught fire

Introduced in 1941 as an improvement on the 1933 model as pilots complained it was difficult to put on when wearing flying clothing, so a simple change of the zipper to an angled position made it much easier. These were well guarded by the pilots as they were sought after 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 size 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.