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RAF flying gloves

Big J

Call Me a Cab
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2,961
Location
Japan
Does anyone own a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (either model), and if so, how warm are they? Are they lined? I remember reading that RAF bomber crews often wore other gloves inside them for warmth.

I know that Deacon, like myself, is partial to the Cold War-era RAF white leather flying gloves. Does anyone own a pair of these? Are they lined/warm?
 

archbury918

One of the Regulars
Messages
223
Location
wisconsin
The original AM design for the gloves is a leather lining. Designed more for protection from cockpit fire than warmth. As with the USAAF B-3 gloves, it provided a level of protection yet allowed for 'feel' of the controls. Both services wore a silk lined glove underneath for a bit of warmth w/o restricting that 'feel'.
I was unaware Aero was making them again. I have a pair of Garcia 'straight zip'. Not bad for the price.
 

archbury918

One of the Regulars
Messages
223
Location
wisconsin
RAF pattern 1933  orig.JPG RAF pattern 1933 mfg mark.JPG

Here are pix of originals.
 

Stand By

One Too Many
Messages
1,741
Location
Canada
I have a pair of the Aero gloves and no, as stated already, they're not lined.
I chose to go one size up so I could wear them with a thin pair of warm glove liners, and they're amazing in even the coldest of temps - and the manual dexterity with them is surprisingly excellent. I mean, I can tie the ties on a plastic dog poop bag with them, so I don't need to take them off to do so, which is perfect when it's cold!
 

Stearmen

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,202
I have a pair of the Aero gloves and no, as stated already, they're not lined.
I chose to go one size up so I could wear them with a thin pair of warm glove liners, and they're amazing in even the coldest of temps - and the manual dexterity with them is surprisingly excellent. I mean, I can tie the ties on a plastic dog poop bag with them, so I don't need to take them off to do so, which is perfect when it's cold!

What kind of liners are you using?
 

highhope

New in Town
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Does anyone own a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (either model), and if so, how warm are they? Are they lined? I remember reading that RAF bomber crews often wore other gloves inside them for warmth.

I know that Deacon, like myself, is partial to the Cold War-era RAF white leather flying gloves. Does anyone own a pair of these? Are they lined/warm?

Hi

I have a pair of Aero's RAF gauntlets (the early model) - they're goatskin and very well made. They're not lined and I'm not sure if the originals are but I prefer my flying gloves unlined to give me the sensitivity when pushing switches, holding the control column while flying.

I've had them many years and they've lasted beautifully - if I need more warmth, standard current issue RAF gloves fit well underneath them.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
Iconsdiered the Aeros a few years ago for a Beijing Winter, but the lack of lining in them meant they weren't ideal for me, so I ended up with a pair of cheap sheepskin gloves that did the job nicely. If you're happy to wear a different pair as a liner, though, the Aero ones are nice. I imagine the lack of liner (while still offering a level of hanf protection) might make them nice bike gloves for the Summer.
 

Stand By

One Too Many
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1,741
Location
Canada
What kind of liners are you using?

Sorry for the delay - been away in UT for a week in the mountains. Man, what a beautiful state !!!

The liners I use are silk - I bought another pair whilst I was in UT at a ski gear shop for $25. Marvellous.
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
Sorry, bit of a delay there.

The gloves came in a few days ago.

Overall, nicely made. Thin, but they are flying gloves and these are no thinner than my issue Nomex gloves with the capeskin palms.

The only downside and something of note to those who might consider ordering these is that they run pretty small. I wear a L in Isotoner lined leather gloves and so I ordered XLs in the Aero gauntlets in order to layer them as we have been discussing. As it stands, there is no way I would be able to get another pair of gloves under these. In fact, they are pretty tight even as is. If you have larger hands....and mine aren't exactly two hams...then you may want to think twice about these.










As it stands, I'm not sure what to do with these. While the gloves were relatively reasonable, the shipping almost doubled the cost. So, I may just keep them and try to stretch them out a bit though, for the price, perhaps I should pass them on and try to get at least some of the cost back since they don't fit quite right.


Deacon
 
Last edited:

B-24J

One of the Regulars
Messages
295
Location
Pennsylvania,USA
RAF Gloves

Comparison of RAF and Aero Glove.

RAF on left:

RAF-Aero-Glove_1_zpsndbasgyy.jpg


RAF-Aero-Glove_2_zpsjefqqd7n.jpg

The King's Crown is barely visible

RAF-Aero-Glove-6_zpslx5bb0f7.jpg


RAF-Glove-Interior_zpsqyn9lunp.jpg

RAF interior - has fabric.

Aero-Glove-Interior_zpsdrfih2nu.jpg

Aero interior

The RAF glove leather is far superior. But, for a repro, the Aero's are OK. I have a better pair of the RAF gloves packed away at the moment. I will post them - if I can dig them out!

GREAT jacket Deacon!

John
 

B-24J

One of the Regulars
Messages
295
Location
Pennsylvania,USA
Modern RAF White Gloves

RAF-White-Glove-1_zpsyrbbnqhf.jpg


RAF-White-Glove-Interior_zpsfzqsdhod.jpg


They are not really desgined for warmth. They are almost like a ladies evening glove.

I imagine they are great for flying modern aircraft.

I have used these under the Aero RAF gloves. Warmer that way.

John
 

B-24J

One of the Regulars
Messages
295
Location
Pennsylvania,USA
Private Purchase Sheepskin Gloves

In an instruction film for the Wellington bomber, the tail gunner (the coldest position) was wearing a pair very similar to these with his full Irvin Suit. That is the reason I bought them. Very comfortable.

RAF-Glove-Sheep-1_zpsjcwnilc4.jpg



RAF-Glove-Sheep-2_zps32diakvj.jpg



RAF-Glove-Sheep-3_zpsv9fy3zu5.jpg


John
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
Wow! Nice collection John! I especially love the white gloves. One of the guys in a neighboring squadron had done an exchange tour and had scored a set of these. The rest of us were all very jealous.

I like the Aeros. I just wish they were a bit bigger.


Oh, thanks for the compliment. That's my ELC '38 pattern with one, very cold, season under her belt. She's breaking in nicely. Dig the character on your original!
 

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