The Luftwaffe aircrew impression is interesting to pursue and portray.  Some reenactors with an existing impression of a member of the Fallschirmtruppen can easily and with minimal expense create this alternate impression.  

One of the nice things about doing the aircrew impression is the tremendous variety of accepted uniforms and accoutrements.  The uniforms and equipment of aircrew members were greatly influenced by the requirements of piloting and riding in the cramped quarters of aircraft.  Pockets were placed and sized to accommodate equipment that, in the case of ground troops, would otherwise be carried in belt mounted pouches or slinged sacks.  

The daring and rakish personality of the German fighter pilot is exemplified in his manner of dress, even when mounted in the cockpit of his plane.  The allowances afforded these men in the performance of their duties materialized in the form of leather jackets, riding breeches and boots, and in the cocked and dimpled visor caps.  Even though decorum and German dignity prevented wild variations from regulation, the Luftwaffe Jagdflieger stood out from his enemy brethren in terms of visual individuality.

Finally, in terms of the sheer design of the uniform, the service garments of the German Luftwaffe of World War Two are among the best ever created.  Few would argue that the color, cut and combination of the Luftwaffe flying branch uniform is a winning formula.  This uniform can be and is reproduced today in a number of different price ranges.

For those of you who are new, there are several books which literally form the "Bible of Luftwaffe Reenacting".  Read these books.  STUDY the photos.  The photos show much more than originally intended.  Notice what they're wearing...where they are...how they're wearing it...when the photo was taken.   Follow this link and check out the Books, Uniforms and Traditions of the Luftwaffe, volumes 1-3, and Uniforms and Insignia of the Luftwaffe, volumes 1 & 2.  The second edition of the Angolia book, Uniforms and Traditions of the Luftwaffe, is VERY difficult to find and expensive when you do find it.  However, the first and third volumes are not that hard to find and overflow with information and photos.   My most recent research has been into the mixing and matching of early vs. late pattern breast eagles.  Even in the photos I've seen so far, it seems that the early breast eagles (the ones with the "droop" tail) survived enough to appear many times with the "type II" style cap eagle.   Sound picky to examine such a thing?  It is.  But, it's the essence of living history...to pay attention to the things that the original participants paid little or no  attention to.  Enjoy it.  That's what we're about.

Janke

No one in WWII German reenacting is ignorant of the name Janke.  Michael Janke is the source of the undisputed best WWII German reproduction uniforms.  His US distributor is Bill Bureau of Massachusetts.  Janke uniforms are made to order in Germany and take the longest time to acquire.  However, when the package finally arrives from Bill Bureau's Militaria, the anxiety quickly gives way to sheer appreciation for the quality of the product.  Janke uniforms are also the most expensive, ranging from $500 to $800, depending on size and accessories.  Janke is also the source of fine reproduction visor and field caps that are likewise priced.

Janke uniforms come from Germany and are therefore shipped without swastika insignia.  Fliegerblusen (the fly front short jacket) and four pocket tunic are priced to include appropriate rank insignia such as shoulder boards and collar tabs.  These are correctly applied and are of the highest quality.  The Fliegerbluse also comes with the pocket mounted dagger hanger ring.

Head to Toe

Visor Cap

The visor cap or schirm mutze can be purchased in reproduction form from several vendors.  Most are correctly marked and constructed.  Officer and enlisted versions are available from Cyrus Lee's SOLDAT, Bill Bureau's Militaria, occasionally from At the Front and 1944 Militaria, and Scott Babcock's Raiders of the Lost Surplus.  Visor caps tend to be another expensive item, so for an excellent and sturdy reproduction, Reddick Enterprises in Texas offers an officer's version that OkL can obtain for you under $150.  Be extra careful purchasing caps on auction sites such as E-Bay, E-Pier and Manion's.  Some caps sold on auction sites are ridiculously labelled as authentic reproductions or originals and don't even come close to genuine.

Once you have a good reproduction of the visor cap and you remove the wire (contrary to Luftwaffe regulations), you can begin to let the cap develop the character that is often shown in period photos.  Some Luftwaffe veterans have referred to deliberate shaping of their caps in an effort to emulate Adolf Galland's cap.

The "M-43"

Interestingly enough, the Germans did not refer to their items of uniform wear in this manner.  Collectors and historians have apparently taken to this labelling system and for sake of easy reference, we will use it here also.  The soft construction and broad visor of the M-43 make it a popular cap.  While this style of cap was not as popular with Luftwaffe flying personnel, it nonetheless existed and was worn.  The M-43 can be purchased from a variety of vendors including those captioned above.  Some personnel adorned their M-43's with Geschwader logo insignia such as the traditionally mountain troop Edelweiss.  Bill Bureau, S&M Wholesale, At the Front and Lost Battalions are all good sources for this great cap and the following headgear.

The "Flier's Cap"

The overseas style cap was among the most popular with Luftwaffe personnel.  This is no doubt owed to it's versatility as a simple and rakish head cover.  The absense of functioning flaps on this cap leaves you with the decision of what kind of insignia to have on it.  Examples exist of original flier's caps with and without the bullseye shaped cockade.  Apparently, officer's caps also existed with either the enlisted quality or bullion eagle and cockade.  However, all officer's caps nearly always were trimmed with silver bullion piping.

Another historical note concerning caps:  Everything in the German service was used until unserviceable.  That meant that, when one article of clothing was phased out, it was turned in and exchanged for the new item.  The old item was sent off for use by rear echelon or training units.  That included caps.  Veterans have explained that, when the overseas cap was replaced with the M-43, they had to turn in the overseas cap.  Use this information as appropriate when doing an impression.  (Off subject - 109E's were also used until they crashed or fell apart...even toward the end of the war in training schools.

The Fliegerbluse (Flyer's blouse)

The classic and regulation Fliegerbluse is the best all around uniform jacket to obtain.  There are a variety of sources for good to excellent reproductions of this fly-fronted garment.  As discussed above, Janke makes the finest available replica of this jacket.  However, for good "field grade" copies, G-Max and S&M Wholesale are other good sources.  Once you have decided what rank you wish to portray, examine the different grades of blusen.  Some junior officers' fliegerblusen were conversions of senior NCO grade garments.  As a rule, officer's jackets were of a finer material, however.

When affixing awards and metal badges to the fliegerbluse, make sure to use so-called "award loops", rather than pinning through the jacket itself.  If you are not sure how to do this, check with someone or use a small dowel or heavy toothpick as a surrogate for the medal's pin.   Stitch the dowel to the jacket at each end of where the ends of the badge would be.  Remove the dowel when finished and insert the badge pin into the loops you've created.

The Shirt

Until September of 1944, the regulation shirt for all members of the Luftwaffe appears to have been a blue oxford-like cloth shirt.  These pull-over shirts had two button flap pockets and longer point collars.  The closest available shirt for reenactors is only the US Navy work shirt.  They are cheap and are adequate for wear under the fliegerbluse.  Ed Walton at Lost Battalions made a limited run of replica "blue fleck" shirts and intends another run in the future.  Until then, the Navy shirt will have to do.

For impressions after September 1944, the Wehrmacht gray pull-over uniform shirt is available in replica form from a variety of vendors.  All branches of the Wehrmacht used this shirt as their day-to-day service dress until the end of the war.

The Tie

Regardless of rank, Luftwaffe personnel used a black four-in-hand necktie with the blue shirt.  Even though service dress for enlisted men actually included collar liners and other prescribed methods of collar wear, the easiest to replicate is that of this tie.  For our purposes, always keep your collar closed and tie tightened.  If your impression calls for the Knight's Cross or other neck-worn medal, it should be tight to the top of the collar, either over the tie or in place of it. 

Do not use a polyester tie.  Cotton blend of medium width is the best and, US service ties of the correct width are best. 

Some vendors sell the Luftwaffe stick pin which can be used as a tie-tack.  This is normally worn high on the tie, but not visible except in the case of Luftwaffe helferin.

The Belt (and Holster)

Luftwaffe belts occurred in similar fashion to that of Heer  (Army) troops, with the exception of the Luftwaffe version of the rectangular buckle assembly.  Officers belts were brown and had the aluminum double prong open buckles.  The flap pistol holster was also brown and was worn on the wearer's left side, slightly to the rear.  Some vendors stock these belts, including Bill Bureau's Militaria.

For the pistol, blank firing versions are best, since they are not actually concealed weapons.  Replicas of the P-38, PPK and Beretta 1934 are available from various sources, such as Pine Ridge Seven Ranch.  They fire 8mm blanks but should be handled with care and caution.  Non-firing versions of everything from the PPK to the Luger are also available if needed only as holster-fillers.

Remember when doing any period impression that how you wear something is as important as what you wear.  Wear the belt higher than what is normal nowadays.  German uniforms were designed for this and create a much better overall appearance.

The Pants or Trousers

Depending on what impression is intended, the easiest and cheapest of the aircrew trousers are those of the service dress variety.  For officers, riding breeches are the typical German fighter pilot style.  Even though this was NOT as frequent as you might think, it is available and simple to do. 

Janke (again) makes very good copies of Luftwaffe pants in straight leg and riding breeches styles.  A cheap alternative (even though this should be avoided and used as a stop-gap only) is to acquire East German Customs Police breeches.  These are just a shade off from LuftBlau and can be used with a flight jacket and boots to simulate the more expensive breeches.

Enlisted pilots sometimes wore the service dress pants with their flight gear.  These are copied and sold by many of the vendors listed on the Vendor Watch page, including Lost Battalions, At the Front, S&M Wholesale, G-Max and Bill Bureau.

The very best pants for the flight crew impression are the so-called "Channel Pants" (Pictured at right).  However, since these are not commonly reproduced and originals are usually expensive, they are a difficult thing to come by.  LARA's Tim Crist is the only individual I've ever heard of who successfully copied these.  S&M Wholesale has indicated that they will replicate Channel Pants in the unspecified future.   

Much more to come...