Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 347:
Description
U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics AL-1 Winter Flying Coverall, Size 38 – L.W. Foster Sportswear Co., Inc., Spec. 55S37 (AER), Contract No. N-383s-20863 This lot presents a complete, one-piece AL-1 cold weather flying coverall as issued to U.S. Navy aviators and aircrew in the immediate post-World War II years and carried forward into Korean War service. Manufactured under contract by L.W. Foster Sportswear Co., Inc., a principal supplier of naval flight clothing of the period, the garment retains its original woven contract label bearing the Spec. 55S37 (AER) designation, Contract No. N-383s-20863, and size 38. No separate published biography or provenance is attached to this particular example, and its history rests entirely in the specification data and construction details of the suit itself. Developed by the Bureau of Aeronautics as naval air power expanded into ever colder operating environments, from carrier decks in the North Atlantic to patrol routes over the Sea of Japan during the Korean conflict, the AL-1 was engineered to keep aircrew functional in unheated or marginally heated cockpits at altitude, where prolonged exposure could incapacitate a man within minutes. The heavyweight cotton twill shell, dense pile lining, and thick mouton fur collar reflect a design philosophy still rooted in natural-fiber insulation, representing a transitional generation of flight gear produced just before synthetic materials began to dominate later military procurement. Suits of this pattern were typically worn over standard flight coveralls and under a compatible outer jacket, forming a layered system intended to combine mobility with maximum retained body heat during long overwater patrols and ferry flights. The coverall is constructed of sage green cotton twill with a full front-entry metal zipper closure and a stand-up collar faced in mouton fur, now showing a warm brown tone with good depth of pile. Twin button-flap chest pockets sit above the waist, a large button-flap thigh pocket and slash hip pockets are set below, and a buttoned rear waist-adjustment tab allows the garment to be cinched for fit. The interior is fully lined in plush brown pile, clearly visible along the open front placket and collar facing, and the black woven contract label at the interior collar remains crisply legible, confirming maker, specification, contract number, and size. Condition is very good for a working garment of this age and type: the twill shell shows light creasing, minor surface soiling, and handling wear consistent with storage rather than field use, while the pile lining and mouton collar remain well retained without significant shedding or dry rot. The zipper and pocket hardware are present throughout and appear functional in the photographs. A well-marked, honestly presented example of scarce postwar U.S. Navy cold-weather flight gear, its Foster-manufactured label and full BuAer specification data making it a worthwhile addition to any collection of naval aviation clothing.
Share this lot:
