Scarce Original WW1 Belgian Army Air Corps Tunic

This tunic is cut in a similar style to British officer’s tunics of the Great War and are now very rare to find. It is very different to the standard pattern of Airman’s tunic which usually featured a full buttoning front and stand-and-fall collar. This style was popular with members of the Belgian,French Air Force as well as the American pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille squadron with many period pictures to support this.

The tunic is made from the standard coloured ‘Horizon blue’ coloured whipcord material and features pleated breast pockets, lower bellows pockets and a full waist belt. The front fastens with 4 buttons creating a very short notched collar which is typical of the Edwardian period. The narrow shoulder displacement as well as the long skirt and single rear vent are also typical period features. The jacket is fitted with original period brass Belgian Air Corps ‘football’ style buttons as were often used during WW1.

Inside the jacket is fully lined in a blue- silver coloured rayon material and there are one interior pocket, there is no makers tag in the pocket, all i’ve been able to find is the name of Edmond Thieffry written inside the right hand sleeve,know i can’t say for sure if this is the original owner.

You can read about Edmond Thieffry and take your own opinion.

To the left hand arm is the Belgian Army Air Corps original gold braid bullion badge .All the buttons are intact except one to the epaulette on the left hand side.

The tunic will suit around a 34″ chest and when laid flat it measures –

Chest – 17″
Waist – 16″
Inside arm – 14″
Outside arm – 20″
Shoulders – 16 ”
Length – 26″

The tunic displays quite well but has clearly seen a lot of wear and use in its life and is far from perfect. There is no staining, but there is a lot of moth grazing to different parts of the tunic – most notably to the front (please see photo’s). The lining is also very worn with some damage etc. Please study the pictures carefully before purchasing and bear in mind that this is a heavily worn, vintage item which has various flaws.

A rare original Great War tunic which, whilst far from perfect, still displays well.

WW1 Belgian Army Air Corps Tunic