Flying Clothing & Uniforms

As the speed, altitude and range of aircraft improved, RAE became involved in the protection of aircrew and this expanded rapidly just before WW2 and then into the Cold War period.

RAE operated a Human Engineering Department which was involved in the design and testing of experimental flying clothing. The range varied from Full Pressure Suits for very high altitude work, the design and development of aircrew flying helmets, garments for aircrew and ground-crew protection against chemical and biological attack, protection against the risk of overheating aircrew using water-cooled suits, and a wide range of other protective and operational enhancing aircrew equipment assemblies (AEA).

Over the years much of the experimental and production equipment was stored in the Department and on its demise the contents were handed to the care of FAST.

Consequently the Museum has a unique collection of Flying Clothing which continues to be supplemented by retired RAF, Army and Navy aircrew donating their personal issue of flying clothing to the FAST Collection.

Similarly for uniforms, Service Officers and their wives continue to donate formal service ware to FAST.

Flying Helmets  I  Pressure Suits  I  Cooling Garments  I  Oxygen Equipments

Enquiries & Access

If you wish to see any of our archives or artefacts, or to enquire whether we have a particular item, please see Enquiries & Access for details and forms.