Found this Uniform on U.S. Militaria Forum

[Olham]

Both these pictures bring WW1 aviators very close to nowadays IMHO. Found them here:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40589

 

 

Edited November 8, 2011 by Olham

[RAF_Louvert]

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Those are fine ones indeed, Olham. However, for me, this one brings it very close:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Olham]

Of course, Lou - yours are even original, as far as I know, while I think the above is a replica.

You sure know how to live your passion to the full, Sir - respect!

[RAF_Louvert]

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Actually Olham, to be accurate, the tunic and trousers are newer items that I personally tailored and reworked to be correct for the Great War aviateur. And the French brevet is a reproduction. But the medals, ribbons, fourragère, cigogne pin, Sam Browne, kepi, and boots in that ensemble are all original items.

[Olham]

What is the "Cigogne" pin??? Is it the one above the ribbons?

Could you show it closer? Is it a needle from the Storck Escadrilles?

[RAF_Louvert]

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Yes Olham, you are quite correct Sir. Here is a close-up of the pin and other honours:

 

 

 

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[Olham]

Great - I have never seen that. Was it just a kind of Cigognes membership sign, or a reward?

The "fourragère" must be the red-green chord, I guess? Germans didn't seem to have these at all.

[Dej]

That is a mighty fine piece of history plus historical re-creation to have in one's den, Lou, as I've remarked before.

 

But, are you never tempted to put it on... assuming it fits, of course?

[RAF_Louvert]

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Olham, the cigognes pins were worn by airmen in various French squadrons to denote themselves as members of the 'Storks'. The fourragère indicated the escadrille had been mentioned in dispatches, and in the case of the fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de Guerre, the squadron would have been mentioned on up to three different occasions. Since the uniform I recreated is for a flyer of 67 Escadrille, (being the fan of Navarre that I am), this is the correct cord to have on the tunic.

 

Dej, thanks again Sir on your kind words concerning my French uniform project. As to being tempted to put it on: Yes, there have been times. But as I've stated here before, I would never feel right about trying on the 'honours' of another. But about the uniform actually fitting me? Well, if I were still in a size '38 Tall' tunic, as I was 35 years ago in my USAF days ...

 

 

 

 

Gawd, I was so young once, and so svelte.

 

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[Olham]

Damn, that must have been '76 then? I don't have a pic of me in uniform ('74) unfortunately.

If I'd send a pic from me 1976, it would be a lanky drummer with pretty long hair...

God, how time flies...

 

Hey, Lou - no one can be as innocent as you are trying to appear there.

Actually, with those shades, you look like a potenital troublemaker, Sir - with all respect!

Edited November 8, 2011 by Olham

[RAF_Louvert]

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Olham, if memory serves, (and it is serving with less reliability these days), that photo is from 1975 sometime before my 21st birthday. I have to say I never thought I looked all that innocent in the photo, and truth be told the shades were a necessity due to the killer hangover I was working through following the three-day pass I had just come back from when my buddy snapped the pic. But have no fear, I was fully recovered by the time the next bender came along on the following weekend.

 

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[Olham]

Nothing could kill us then - we proved almost every second day! Mmuahahahahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!