Need help completing WWII Air Force Officer Uniform

[rathbonemuseum]

Hello all,

First of all, I must apologize for my use of English. I have just joined this forum in an effort to gain assistance completing a WWII impression of a Swiss Air Force officer. I run an online museum dedicated to WWII aviation people, uniforms and insignia from around the world. You can visit it at www.rathbonemuseum.com. Most of the material on display is from my own collection. All of it is original and when possible, researched to the original owner.

I was fortunate to acquire a lovely Swiss Air Force officer's tunic. I was also able to acquire a nice Kepi that I believe is for the uniform but I am not sure. I know need to complete the rest. I believe I am missing a service belt (brown leather officer's), breeches in the correct shade, boots and possibly a shirt depending on the color. I also do not have any information on the unit that this tunic belongs to or know if the officer would have worn any other insignia on his tunic. I also do not have any period photographs of Swiss Air Force personnel in service dress.

Might you be able to help me? I have no contacts in Switzerland or in the Swiss collecting community. Any help is most appreciated. I will also post links of the items I have.

Thank you all for your help. Please fee free to email me at tod 'at ' rathbonemuseum 'dot' com

[panzerschreck]

Kompliment :smt038

Die Seite ist genial.

[Parabellum]

Hello

This is a vey nice and interesting tunic. It belonged to a captain of the Fliegerstaffel 12 (Fighter Squadron 12) wich was located during most time of the war in Ambri/Ticino. There are specialists which can tell you what type of plane they where flying.

The tunic is of the model 1940. But it is rather unusual because the common style was a high up closed collar model with a laid down lapel. There was a possibilty to wear it open with a tie. This tunic is clearly made only to wear the collar open. I am quite sure that this was a particular "gala" tunic which was bought by a proud aviator.

When I look at the picuteres I have the imprssion that the collar is made of the same fabric as the whole tunic?? As officers remained in service for a very long time the tunics very often altered, but in this case I have not the impression. But what I can see is that the uniform was used for a rather long time as well. There are some bits sewn in at the cuffs and you can see where the belt was worn.

I think this tunic was bought by a young captain during the war as gala tunic but later worn for service in general.

Pilots (which where not mounted of course) whore normal trousers in the same fabric with narrow black piping and black jodpur-boots.
During war time it was usual to wear trousers in breeches-style with black boots also for all officers because it was considered more stylish. If used as gala uniform it was worn with a fabric belt with a gilted buckle. In field serivce wiht a "Sam Brown Style" belt. The correct shirt is of green fabric (could go slightly into greyish). The tie was black but you can see quite often green-greyish ties as well.

As headgear there is a wide range of caps an hats which would match your tunic.

Please feel free to ask your questions in english.

Wenn jemand Informationen hat, kann ich die auch gerne übersetzen

Best regards

[rathbonemuseum]

Parabellum,

Thank you for the info about the unit. I will research it. Do you have any pictures you can upload of Swiss aviators at this time wearing the model 40 tunic? I would appreciate any reference.

Also, do you know anyone who collects or sells this kind of material? I would like to find a pair of breeches and boots to finish the outfit. Of course I could use almost any kind of high boot.

Thank you,

Tod

[rathbonemuseum]

Panzerschreck,

Thank you for the compliment.

Tod

[Parabellum]

The boots are not particular. The breeches have to match the worn fabric (and the size of course :biggrin: ). But all breeches and trousers where of the same type in the Swiss Army (no difference between army an air force).

I have no picutres available at the moment but I am sure there will be more members of the forum who can help!

Have a look at our site-admins collection. There you can see the difference between the model 26 with a high collar and the model 40 with the laid down lapels - but I have not seen a piece withe the open collar as yours!
http://lebendigegeschichte.phpbb.ch/fto ... asc-0.html

Also: hat jemand Bilder aus der Zeit, wie die Ord. 40 getragen wurde?

[Traingelo]

Hier ein kleiner Auszug aus dem "Reglement über die Bekleidung in der Armee" vom 6. Dezember 194O.

"Waffenrock (Art. 2.): Offiziere der Flieger- und der Panzertruppe tragen einen Waffenrock mit offenem Reverskragen nach Muster, einreihig mit 5 sichtbaren Knöpfen, im übrigen gleich wie der Waffenrock der andern Truppengaqttungen. Dazu wird ein feldgraues Hemd nach Muster mit schwarzem Selbstbinder (Krawatte) getragen. Zu feierlichen Anlässen tragen die Offiziere der Flieger- und der Panzertruppen ein weisses Hemd mit steifem weissem Umlegekragen und schwarzem Selbstbinder."

Bilder muss ich noch suchen.

[Parabellum]

Hier ein kleiner Auszug aus dem "Reglement über die Bekleidung in der Armee" vom 6. Dezember 194O.

"Waffenrock (Art. 2.): Offiziere der Flieger- und der Panzertruppe tragen einen Waffenrock mit offenem Reverskragen nach Muster, einreihig mit 5 sichtbaren Knöpfen, im übrigen gleich wie der Waffenrock der andern Truppengaqttungen. Dazu wird ein feldgraues Hemd nach Muster mit schwarzem Selbstbinder (Krawatte) getragen. Zu feierlichen Anlässen tragen die Offiziere der Flieger- und der Panzertruppen ein weisses Hemd mit steifem weissem Umlegekragen und schwarzem Selbstbinder."

Bilder muss ich noch suchen.

Traingelo sent us a citation from the Swiss army dress regulation of 6. Dezember 194O:

Officers of the flying corps and the tank corps wear a tunic with an open collar according to pattern, with one row of 5 visible buttons. The tunic is identical in every other respect to the regular pattern. A field-grey shirt is worn with a black tie. For special festive occasions a white shirt with starched laid down lapes is worn with a black tie.

Traingelo is looking in his treasures for some pictures.

In the meantime I could find out the the Staffel 12 was equipped with Dewoitine D 27 planes until summer 41 and from then on with Morane D 3800 or 3801

D 27


D 3800

[Traingelo]

Gar nicht so einfach ein gutes Bild zu finden!
Nach der Durchsicht eines guten Dutzend Bücher zum Thema fand ich gerade mal ein Bild mit einem Fliegeroffizier von vorn (Janusz Piekalkiewicz, Die Schweiz am Rande des Krieges, Seite 248).
Meistens tragen die Piloten das Fliegerkombi mit Lederhaube oder sie sind nur von hinten zu sehen oder tragen noch einen alten Stehkragen-Waffenrock.
Habe noch einen Bestand von mehreren hundert Fotos vor mir und bitte um etwas Geduld - gut Ding will Weile haben.

[Parabellum]

Bin etwas "erleichtert" - da ich mich für diese Wissenlücke etwas genierte.... Es scheinen tatsächlich wenige Bilder zu existieren. Ich gehe davon aus, dass der Flieger-Waffenrock mit offenem Revers eine echte Rarität ist!