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U-101a Scarce Variant
Fliegerschutzanzug für Summer [Flyer’s Protective Suit for Summer]
“Kombination”
A very rarely seen item, this flier’s summer Kombi
(combination) suit is an excellent example of a variant form of this very
utilitarian uniform article. The very smooth velveteen-like brown fabric
exterior is in quite good condition, with soiling – a few small grease spots,
and general darkening on the lower legs and undersides of the arms (and on the
seat) in particular – as one would expect from a suit worn inside an aircraft.
There are some minor seam repairs at one armpit, and a small snag or two on the
upper part of the suit, none of which distracts. There is one hole through the
outer fabric layer on the outside calf of the left leg and a small snag on the
right outer thigh. The suit has a total of eight zippers, some with the original
reddish-brown leather pull tabs. The heads are broken off on several zippers,
with the right thigh zipper “permanently” closed, the slightly higher, left
thigh zipper “permanently” open. The suit collar and interior are fully
lined with dark brown sheep fur. There is a separate, grey cotton interior cuff
lining fastened inside the bottom of each sleeve, with snaps at each corner for
adjusting the fit (the sheep fur reaches to the bottom of the sleeve). The suit
is made for someone of about 6’2" in height, I kid you not! The left
collar edge, and parallel to that at the base, has a narrow brown leather strap
that form loops past the edge of the collar. The top strap’s push buttons
(i.e. the snap covers) are coated with a glossy, reddish-brown enamel, while the
snap covers on the lower two snaps are coated with a glossy dark brown enamel.
The suit’s wrist slits on the inner forearms are closed with large, dark grey
or black plastic buttons (two per cuff), while the lower leg slits are closed
with zippers (that close in a downward direction). The left and right midriff
areas have canted pocket openings to the sides; each opening is secured by a
grey plastic button. Set a little behind each opening (close at the bottom,
farther apart at the top since the pocket edges cant toward the center and away)
is a vertical side zipper. The bottom inch of the zipper borders the edge of the
pocket. The flaps of the pockets on the upper thigh pocket on each leg is
likewise secured with a grey plastic button. The upper left thigh has the pocket
with the perpetually open zipper, and shows two reddish-brown leather loops
inside for holding flares. The front closure opening runs from the neck to the
crotch, and is secured by buttons mounted eight large grey plastic buttons
mounted on an inner layer cloth tape – the buttons then pass through the
overlying buttonholes in the left edge of the suit, and again through the
buttonholes in the right side of the suit when that edge is laid over the left.
This probably served to create a baffle to keep out any chill wind. All the
buttons are present. The fur collar and the fur-lined interior appear to be in
quite fine condition. The hidden button strip is marked “L.B.A. 38”, but the
“Kombi” (combination – i.e. coveralls) has no model tag. A fairly scarce
Luftwaffe flying garment!
$795.00
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Item U-101a
