Flight suits were worn by pilots of the AAF for practicality, comfort, and protection from the elements. Flight suits varied from khaki cotton materials and lightweight wool gabardines for summer wear, to heavy shearling-lined leather for winter and high altitude wear (such as the A3 trousers pictured below). There were even electrical suits that plugged into the aircraft's electrical systems to keep the wearer warm.
Some of the most common flight suits were: Suit, Summer, Flying, Type A-4 (OD gabardine, standardized in 1930); Suit, Summer, Flying, AN-6550 (OD gabardine or tan cotton, replaced the A-4 in 1943); Suit, Flying, Very Light, Cotton Twill, Type K-1 (khaki cotton); Suit, Flying, Light, Type L-1 and L-1B (OD gabardine). Flying Trousers included types A-1, A-3, A-5 and B-1 (leather with shearling lining), type A-8 (OD cotton with quilted lining), types A-9, A-10, and A-11 and A-11A (OD sateen/nylon with fur lining).
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