Royal Flying Corps Kitbag: Aircrew Uniforms and Equipment from the War Over the Western Front in WWI

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Mark Hillier

Royal Flying Corps Kitbag

Aircrew Uniforms and Equipment from the War Over the Western Front in WWI

Mark Hillier

$75

Hardback

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English

Frontline Books
01 May 2020

First World War; Air forces & warfare; Uniforms & insignia

The Royal Flying Corps was formed by Royal Warrant on 13 April 1912, and came into being a month later when the Air Battalion was absorbed into the Military Wing of the new Corps in May. In the days following the outbreak of war in 1914, the programme for mobilisation of the RFC was, in the main, successfully carried out. The first aircraft set out across the Channel on the morning of 13 August, taking off from Dover at 06.25 hours. The first pilot to land in France was Lieutenant H.D. Harvey-Kelly of No.2 Squadron. In due course, all four of the initial RFC squadrons deployed to the Western Front were ready for operations. They represented, noted the Official Historian of the RFC, the first organized national [air] force to fly to a war overseas'. As the Great War raged, the developments in military aviation were profound, not only in terms of aerial warfare but, as this book reveals, the uniforms and equipment the aircrew used. All the objects that a Royal Flying Corps pilot or airman was issued with for sorties over the Western Front during the First World War are explored in this book in high-definition colour photographs, detailing everything from the differing flying clothing, to headgear, personal weapons, gloves, goggles and early life preservers. Each item is fully described, and its purpose and use explained. Fly with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s and Sopwith Camels over the trenches and see what the RFC aircrew wore as they took on their German foe in what were the formative years of military aviation.

AUTHOR: Mark Hillier is a chartered surveyor who has a passionate interest in of the history of military aviation, with a particular focus on the RAF and the Second World War. He is also a qualified pilot, having flown for more than twenty-eight years. Mark currently flies a Stearman biplane from Goodwood Aerodrome, the former RAF Westhampnett. He has previously written or co-authored a number of successful books on aviation, including the biography of Wing Commander Thomas Murray DSO, DFC and Bar, contributed numerous magazine articles and is a regular public speaker on aviation matters.

200 colour and b/w illustrations

By: Mark Hillier
Imprint: Frontline Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 172mm,
ISBN: 9781526752994
ISBN 10: 1526752999
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 01 May 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

MARK HILLIER is a chartered surveyor who has a passionate interest in of the history of military aviation, with a particular focus on the RAF and the Second World War. He is also a qualified pilot, having flown for more than twenty-eight years. Mark currently flies a Stearman biplane from Goodwood Aerodrome, the former RAF Westhampnett. He has previously written or co-authored a number of successful books on aviation, including the biography of Wing Commander Thomas Murray DSO, DFC and Bar, contributed numerous magazine articles and is a regular public speaker on aviation matters.

Reviews for Royal Flying Corps Kitbag: Aircrew Uniforms and Equipment from the War Over the Western Front in WWI

"""If you want to know precisely what gear and clothing was issued to Royal Flying Corps pilots throughout the war, this book is an excellent source and a delightful read.""-- ""Indy Squadron Dispatch"" ""With this book, Hillier has added to the historiography of World War I aviation by detailing the evolution of flight gear and uniforms and giving us a fine visual reference. It will please aviation historians as well as collectors and re-enactors and is highly recommended.""-- ""Argunners"" ""All the objects that a Royal Flying Corps pilot or airman was issued with for sorties over the Western Front during the First World War are explored in this book in high-definition color photographs, detailing everything from the differing flying clothing, to headgear, personal weapons, gloves, goggles and early life preservers.""-- ""Military Trader"" ""This book is a rich -- and richly illustrated -- assemblage of authoritative text and color images of basic uniforms, coverings and a variety of other gear that fliers needed to perform their dangerous tasks.""-- ""Over the Front"" ""This has to be the definitive book on the subject...""-- ""Flight Line Book Review"""