What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?

[Kermit3D]

Kermit
She makes that jacket look good !
The oversized collar works for her.

I totally agree.
On period photos, you can see the pilots wearing this jacket with the full flight suit and in this context, nothing shocking.
But imho, without these flight accessories, this jacket is particularly suitable for women.

 

[Saint-ex]

At Aeroseum near Göteborg, Sweden.

 

[Nickb123]

View attachment 82329
At Aeroseum near Göteborg, Sweden.

Quite the ‘Saab story.’

Joking. Looks great.

 

[ES335]

The whistle is for the rescue effort when the pilot is down in the water and it’s hazy or dark. Of course by boat not by plane.

Thanks, you guys are amazing.

 

[Brettafett]

ELC's Werber 1729 is such a nice jacket. So different to the war contracts. And that one fits you great, Burt.
Too bad mine would not fit and I had to move it on.

I also think so. I was very tempted when I received that first ELC Monarch to try on. That lighter havana warhorse on a 1729 would have looked crazy.

 

[Smithy]

Re the whistles, Steve and Greg are right, it was specifically for use to attract ASR HSLs. The RAF adopted them in widespread use after the experiences of the BoB and also with BC aircraft ditching in the Channel and the trouble of seeing not only a downed airman but even a dinghy in a choppy swell and bad conditions, and obviously also in darkness. There's a reason why it was referred to in RAF parlance as a "ditching whistle". The lurid orange dye pouch was what was used to attract attention of aircraft such as the Walrus.

 

[mulceber]

It cooled off enough for Monarch weather tonight, so here’s me out and about (and safely parked):

 

[Smithy]

The lurid orange dye pouch

The dye pouch always reminds me of a funny story. The first CO of 485(NZ) Sqn Marcus Knight had a bull terrier called Gus who was exceedingly well-endowed in the testicular department. One day Gus wandered into the station mess where the pilots were grounded because of very poor, wet weather and as a result bored. One wag got his dye pouch, grabbed Gus and administered the powder all over Gus' ample balls and then booted him out into the rain where obviously water activates and spreads the dye. Poor old Gus wandered around with bilious, bright orange, nearly glow in the dark balls for quite some time. Needless to say the CO wasn't impressed

 

[saucerfiend]

It cooled off enough for Monarch weather tonight, so here’s me out and about (and safely parked):
View attachment 82330

What a hide!

 

[ties70]

View attachment 82329
At Aeroseum near Göteborg, Sweden.

Vincent,

are you doing a Tour d' Europe right now? Amsterdam, Copenhagen, now Göteborg...looks great!

Safe travels!

Ties

 

[Micawber]

Re the whistles, Steve and Greg are right, it was specifically for use to attract ASR HSLs. The RAF adopted them in widespread use after the experiences of the BoB and also with BC aircraft ditching in the Channel and the trouble of seeing not only a downed airman but even a dinghy in a choppy swell and bad conditions, and obviously also in darkness. There's a reason why it was referred to in RAF parlance as a "ditching whistle". The lurid orange dye pouch was what was used to attract attention of aircraft such as the Walrus.

Aye, although commonly referred to as ditching whistles they were issued to virtually all RAF aircrew and can also be seen being worn by many USAAF flight crews. The idea being that it, and other equipment, were to be used to attract the attention of rescue services (or other crewmembers) in the event of ditching or being downed in remote areas inland. Running into high ground that was hidden by low cloud or fog was a surpringly common occurrence in the UK (after narrowly escaping the Japs when they invaded Singapore my wife's uncle was assigned to an RAF mountain rescue).
A variety of metal and plastic models were issued all of which have become collectable in recent years although I remember when they were regarded as just so much surplus and could be bought for not a lot or got for nothing.
Probably the most common aircrew whistle was was the chrome over brass 'snail' type as per the couple I grabbed for a quick photo...

 

[Southoftheborder]

Even if the downed pilot had a megaphone, even then he would not have been heard by rescue plane's crew and no harsh tones whistle would help to hear him

As was said it was to attract the attention of boats. In particular the Air Sea Rescue service. They would be looking for a plane which had been reported down in the Channel and would know roughly where to look. They would be looking out for flares and would also would regularly stop their engines to listen out for whistles when in the search zone.

If someone wants to be totally authentic though I suppose they should wear a Mea West with it as well when they go to the pub....

I wrote this before I saw Smithy's and Steve's posts and it crossed with them. I'll just leave it anyway.

 

[Saint-ex]

Vincent,

are you doing a Tour d' Europe right now? Amsterdam, Copenhagen, now Göteborg...looks great!

Safe travels!

Ties

Thanks @ties70 !

We visited Amsterdam in April.
And now we are traveling to Sweden by car, so we crossed Belgium, Germany and Danemark.
Copenhagen was a 2 nights stop on the way and for return we plan to stop in Germany. Maybe Kiel or Lübeck. Tips are welcome !

 

[ties70]

Thanks @ties70 !

We visited Amsterdam in April.
And now we are traveling to Sweden by car, so we crossed Belgium, Germany and Danemark.
Copenhagen was a 2 nights stop on the way and for return we plan to stop in Germany. Maybe Kiel or Lübeck. Tips are welcome !

Not much to see in Kiel. It's my birth place, but I have to admit that due to massive "refurbishments" from '41-'45, the city is lacking any character.

Go to Lübeck instead!

Visit the famous Café Niederegger: https://www.niederegger.de/geschichte/ Eat some Marzipan! First made in Germany in early 1400, this soft candy of almonds and sugar is as German as it gets, and Niederegger is by far the best!

Take pictures of the Holstentor: Lübeck's most famous landmark - is the symbol of the Hanseatic League's heyday, when Lübeck was the richest city in the Baltic region in the 14th century. https://museum-holstentor.de/index.php?seid=1274

Take a walk through the old town...it's definitely worth it:

15 Best Things to Do in Lübeck (Germany) - The Crazy Tourist

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lübeck is a must-visit city in Schleswig-Holstein. As the capital of the Hanseatic League the city was a central node in a network of ports ... Read more

www.thecrazytourist.com

The Hospital of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeisthospital) and the Seafarer's Guildhall (Schiffergesellschaft) are impressive, too!

Have fun!

Ties

 

[mulceber]

Just cool enough for a jacket, so I’m sporting the Pancho:

 

[CombatWombat]

View attachment 82329
At Aeroseum near Göteborg, Sweden.

Ohhh I think I went here the last time me and zee wife went to Sweden and Soumi
I must dig around for dad's old coat and flight jacket from his conscription days

 

[Flightengineer]

Damn, I just now understand why this jacket is called Pancho's and what Pancho we are talking about

 

[mulceber]

Damn, I just now understand why this jacket is called Pancho's and what Pancho we are talking about

Yup, that one:

 

[Flightengineer]

Yup, that one:

 

[Chandler]

Yup, that one:

Yeager looks weird in a sport coat.