RAAF uniforms

Royal Australian Air Force blue peaked cap with woven black hat band and patent leather black chin strap secured by RAAF buttons. A cast economy issue gilded metal officer's RAAF badge is attached to the front of the hat band and a summer issue khaki cotton cap cover is fitted over the crown. The sweatband is made of brown leather and the inside of the cap is lined with blue corded silk on which is written in white ink 'RAAF/A31139'. A clear plastic cover has been placed over the lining.

Dark blue winter service dress jacket fastening down the front with four bakelite buttons, each with the RAAF insignia of a King's crown and eagle. The jacket has four pockets secured by smaller buttons.

Two pleated pockets are at the breast and two larger pockets sit below the waistband. A self fabric belt is attached at the waist by two belt loops. The insignia for a Warrant Officer is sewn above each cuff and a ribbon bar is sewn above the left pocket with ribbons for the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, British War Medal 1939-45 and the Australia Service Medal. A maker's label inside the collar is marked with the date '1943' and gives the size as '22'.

Irvin thermally insulated flying jacket : Flying Officer L D Crowther, RAAF. Associated with Flying Officer Lance Dixon Crowther. Crowther enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 3 February 1941, joining training units in Canada on 17 June that year.

He trained at schools of Bombing and Gunnery, Air Observation, and Navigation before joining further training units in England on 13 December.

He joined 40 Squadron, RAF, from 7 June 1942, serving in the Middle East and North Africa before returning to the United Kingdom to join an Operational Training Unit on 25 October 1943.

He later returned to Australia, serving in Victoria from 12 August 1944 and in the Northern Territory with 24 Squadron, RAAF from 31 March 1945. Crowther, by this time promoted to Flight Lieutenant, went missing in the Timor Sea during an operation against the Japanese cruiser Isuzu on 5 April 1945. Crowther was navigator on Liberator A72-77, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Ford, which was shot down during the operation. None of the crew were recovered.

This RAAF Battledress blouse was worn by a member of 460 Squadron, RAAF, during the Second World War.

It was retained by the 460 Squadron Association.

RAAF blue battledress blouse with fold down collar and two pleated patch breast pockets with concealed button closure.

Above the left pocket is an Air Gunner's brevet.

The blouse fastens down the centre by five metal buttons, three of which are missing, and at the throat by a pair of hooks and eyes. The belted waist is gathered and fastened by a chrome buckle stamped 'WILL NOT RUST'. The cuffs of the sleeve are fastened by buttons, both of which are missing. The blouse also has a self fabric strap on each shoulder secured by a brass RAAF button. The inside of the collar, cuffs, waist and placket are lined with a dark blue cotton fabric. The fabric lining the waistband has two button holes for securing the trousers. There are two internal pockets with side openings. A white cotton label stitched to the left internal pocket reads 'SUITS, AIRCREW BLOUSE R.A.A.F. Size No.16/ C.W.S. Ltd./Date, 1943'.

Pair of British 1943 pattern Flying (escape) Boots. The boots have black suede uppers with a buckled retaining strap at the top and zip fasteners to the ankle. The lower section of each boot resembles a black leather lace up civilian shoe. The suede uppers are attached to the shoe by stitching around the ankle and a pair of eyelets at the front through which the laces are tied. The boots are sheep skin lined and have leather soles reinforced with iron nails.

The right boot has a small internal pocket on the inner left side of the calf which would have held a small knife. The right boot is marked in ink around inner top with 'O'KEEFE 428470'. Used by 428470 Warrant Officer Maurice Anthony O'Keefe whilst serving with 460 Squadron as a wireless operator. O'Keefe was born in Melbourne in October 1924 and enlisted in the RAAF on 5 November 1942. After serving overseas with 460 Squadron O'Keefe returned to Australia and was discharged from 9 Aircrew Holding Unit on 12 April 1946. These boots were especially designed this way so that in the case of the wearer having to parachute into enemy territory the suede upper section could be cut from the shoes by using a small knife (concealed in the right hand boot). The remaining boots would resemble civilian footwear which would not be so conspicuous during escape attempts.

RAF blue winter service dress jacket made of wool gabardine. The tunic has two pleated breast pockets and two patch pockets at the waist, both with buttoned flaps.

A small inset change pocket is located above the bottom right pocket. All buttons are made of brass and have the RAF insignia. A padded embroidered brevet (pilots wings) is sewn above the left breast pocket above campaign medal ribbons.

Each sleeve bears two rank stripes for flight lieutenant on the cuff. The tunic has a woolen belt, with a brass buckle, sewn across the back waist.

Worn by Flight Lieutenant John Reginald Williams. Williams was born in 1913 and joined the RAF in the 1930s. His flying log books refer to service from February 1933 to May 1938 in the United Kingdom, Amman, Ismailia and Nairobi with 40, 14 and 13 Squadrons as an Air Gunner. From 1938 to 1940 Williams served with 223 Squadron in Nairobi and 9 Squadron in Pehrhos, Wales as an Observer and Air Gunner. From 1941 to 1948 he served as a pilot, flying Spitfires in the United Kingdom with 234 Squadron. He transferred to Australia in 1944 to serve with 549 Squadron and No 1 Kittyhawk Squadron.

Black leather RAAF aircrew General Purpose boots with stitching over the toe, front lacing and side zip fastenings.

The boots extend beyond the ankle and are reinforced with an extra strip of leather down the back of the leg and around the heel.

The sole has three layers of leather and rubber with a three centimetre heel. In addition to glue, the sole is nailed to the boot at the toes and under the arch. The laces are made of black cotton.

Circa 1960

This jacket is part of an US Army issue two piece Nomex flame resistant flying suit introduced into service during the Vietnam War.

This style of suit was also used extensively by RAAF helicopter crews during the later years of the war but did not become official RAAF issue until after Australia withdrew its forces from the country.

Nomex flying suit jacket with long sleeves, a fold down collar and zip fastened fly front.

The collar has a fabric piece which can be drawn across the throat and fastened with Velcro when the collar is worn up.

The cuffs have Velcro adjustable fastening pads and the jacket features two breast pockets with concealed button flap closure. A smaller pocket with a vertical zipper is sewn on the upper left arm. Above the right breast pocket are two tapes with the rank 'SFC' and the name 'FUERST' sewn on them. Above the left pocket is another tape with the words 'U.S. ARMY'. On the upper left arm are traces of a removed 1st Air Cavalry Division shoulder patch.