RAF ‘PRESTIGE’ FLYING SUIT GROUPING – AIR MINISTRY ISSUED WITH HISTORY
SOLD
For sale is a superb Air Ministry-issued RAF ‘Prestige’ Flying Suit, with history to ex-Vickers test pilot and British racing driver, William ‘Bill’ Simpson Aston. The suit is complemented by Aston’s Luxor flying goggles, flying/motor-cap X2, registration plate for an aircraft he owned and flew from Eastbourne Flying Club (pre-war), racing helmet, along with various ephemera relating to his racing career.
I first wrote about this suit when I purchased it back in 2024, so for more details I recommend reading the following article: https://www.rafmilitaria.com/single-post/raf-prestige-flying-suit-air-ministry-issued-with-history-to-ex-vickers-test-pilot-british-rac
The suit itself is of exceptional rarity, being an Air Ministry-made ‘Prestige’ Flying Suit: a simple unlined cotton suit synonymous with pilots of pre-war aerobatic display teams, and later Auxiliary Air Force and University squadrons who took part in the Battle of Britain. The suits were produced in a myriad of colours (white, black, navy and tan), with the white iteration seen here being the colour most synonymous with the Battle of Britain.
This particular suit was most likely made by D Lewis, and appears to be an ‘official’ Air Ministry-made example, evidenced by the AM-branded zips to both forearms. It has a turned down collar, chest and thigh pockets, removable shank buttons, a pleated back and adjustable belt. The suit is adorned with a prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) badge, which epitomises its use by Bill Aston in the post-war years. Interestingly the suit came with a small identification plate in one of the pockets for Eastbourne Flying Club, along with the registration G-AEKG. G-AEKG was a ‘BA Swallow 2’ aircraft owned by Aston from October 1938 – January 1939. Sadly the aircraft was destroyed in a hangar fire at Maylands Aerodrome, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex on the 6th February 1940.
Condition-wise the suit is in excellent condition. All of the zips and shank buttons are in place, as is the belt which is so often missing. The white cotton is a little grubby in places, but otherwise sound. The only flaws to speak of are at the lower legs, where one of the zippers has separated slightly. This does not detract from how the suit displays.
The suit comes with Aston’s Luxor Goggles, which are also in great condition. The rubber cushions have dried out a little, but are complete and not at all brittle. The lenses are a little cloudy, but still clear, and the strap retains most of its elasticity.
The suit also comes with two flying/driving helmets (one in white cotton drill, the other a grey nylon); a racing helmet; a clay trophy; and numerous articles / ephemera relating to Aston’s driving years. A suitcase completes the set.
This is a rare opportunity to purchase a flying suit so symbolic of the Battle of Britain and early war years, with a unique history.
More photos are available upon request.