Developed in the late 1950s for the RAF by pioneering flight & survival wear manufacturer P Frankenstein & Sons, these wild trousers were part of a set designed to be worn by pilots & aircrew over water. Designed from a couple layer of heavy ventile cloth, and originally with a rubber skirt at the waist and self-contained boots. I've seen many photos of these being used by RAF pilots and helicopter winch-crews in the mid-1960s. The particular example is tagged for the Royal Canadian Air Force and was made closely following the RAF design. A wild and very very rare pair of trousers!
Condition
These are well used and salty! Made literally by glueing the ventile together, over the years he rubber cement used as degraded and some of the seams have come open, some of which I've very gently repaired. The rubber skirt is degraded but still soft. This could easily be removed if the new owner desires. The boots have been cut off at the ankle. The crotch spout is present, but the flap that originally covered it is missing. I've salvaged a little fabric from inside one leg and created a replacement flap which can easily be glued on if the new owner wishes. All of the brace buttons are still present and these could be worn (if desired) with a set of standard British postwar suspenders.
Size
- Tagged a size 2
- Waist 38 approx
- Inside leg 28 approx
- Ouside leg 44 approx