Original 1945 Dated RAF Observer's Service Dress Tunic - Size 8

Code: 54147

A hard to find original RAF Warrant Officer's Service Dress Jacket complete with aircrew insignia and its original issue label. 

This tunic belonged to an airmen who served during the Second World, most likely since the early part as a sergeant as he has kept his Observer brevet which was replaced with the navigator brevet in 1942. It is likely that he wore this brevet to show that he was an 'old salt' or long serving member. Either way, it looks great on the tunic and certainly appears to be original to it. The tunic is also fitted with Warrant Officer rank badges to each sleeve which are again original and match the label. 

The jacket is made from the standard RAF blue-grey coloured barathea wool as used for officers' tunics as well as Warrant Officers. It is fitted with a full set of brass kings crown RAF buttons and retains its original waist belt and waist belt buckle, which is again brass.

The interior of the jacket features a full lining and a hanging loop at the neck. There is an interior pocket as well as a First Field Dressing pocket located to the skirt. The original label is also found inside the jacket and bears the title 'Jacket, Blue-Grey W.O.' along with the size of 8 which is designed to fit a 37" - 38" chest. The maker's name of 'Kettering Co-operative Clothing Society Ltd' is also present, as is the 1945 date and the War Department broad arrow.

The jacket is in good condition and displays well. It looks to be very wearable with some signs of age and use. There is a hole to the right sleeve above the rank badge which is illustrated in picture 6 and another very small hole and some staining to the rear of the same sleeve. The condition is consistent with a tunic that has seen action so please take time to study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that it is a vintage item with some small flaws.

A very nice original aircrew tunic with an excellent label and very nice badges. This would make a great addition to any RAF collection!