The RAF uniform in WWII
RAF personnel wore RAF blue service dress for formal and off-duty wear. For everyday work, they wore battledress in a blue-grey shade that differs from Army khaki. Officers and other ranks wore the same basic patterns, but their insignia and badges showed the difference.
Because RAF uniforms were not khaki, RAF items can be confused with items from other services, particularly during the war. Check the colour, the buttons and the badges against a reference before deciding which service the item belonged to.
Flying clothing
Pilots needed clothing for cold, height and water, and the kit they wore changed over the war. Common items included:
- The Sidcot suit: a padded, one-piece flying suit worn by aircrew, particularly in cold conditions and at altitude.
- The Irvin jacket: a sheepskin flying jacket that was popular with aircrew for warmth.
- The Mae West: an inflatable life jacket, named after the actress, that was worn over flying clothing.
- Helmets, goggles and boots: leather flying helmets, goggles and flying boots. Some helmets carried radio or intercom fittings.
American fighter pilots based in England often mixed RAF-pattern items into their own kit, as covered in American WWII pilot uniforms.
Flying clothing is one of the most collected parts of the RAF story, and it is also one of the most copied. Check labels, maker’s marks and wear against reference books before you buy.
Pilot’s wings and other flying badges
RAF pilots wore a pilot’s wings badge, sometimes called the brevet. It was worn on the left breast of the tunic and battledress, and it marked the wearer as a qualified pilot. Wings are often found on their own, so their maker’s marks and the style of the crown and wreath are worth checking against a reference. The general checks in military patches, badges and insignia also apply.
Other flying badges, such as those for observers and air gunners, were worn in similar positions. Check the badge carefully before you assume it belongs to a pilot.
RAF ranks in WWII
Officer ranks, from the lowest to the highest, were:
- Pilot Officer
- Flying Officer
- Flight Lieutenant
- Squadron Leader
- Wing Commander
- Group Captain
- Air Commodore
- Air Vice-Marshal
- Air Marshal
- Air Chief Marshal
- Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Non-commissioned ranks included Aircraftman, Leading Aircraftman, Corporal, Sergeant, Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer.
Officers showed rank with stripes on the cuffs of the tunic. Members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve wore wavy stripes, which set them apart from the straight stripes of the regular RAF. Non-commissioned ranks wore chevrons on the upper arm. Check the stripe style against the unit and date before you decide what rank an item represents.
Frequently asked questions
Did the British have Black pilots in WWII?
Yes, but the numbers were small. A small number of Black men served as RAF aircrew, including men from the Caribbean, and some trained as pilots. Colour bars limited who could enlist and train in parts of the war, and records are patchy. For names and details, use specialist histories rather than general sources.
Related reading
For the broader context, start with the British and Commonwealth militaria collecting guide. For the question of officer and NCO pilots, read were fighter pilots in WWII officers. For the army’s Second World War uniforms, see British and Canadian WWII uniforms.