130. German Air Force: Lieutenant of Air Signals, 1938, Officers Formal Evening Full Dress
Thc German Air Force shared with the German Navy and the German Diplomatic Corps (No. 188) the distinction of being the only uniformed organisations of the Third Reich that provided for Evening Full Dress to be worn by its officer classes. The Luftwaffe possessed two versions of their Evening Full Dress, the Formal Evening Full Dress and the Informal Evening Full Dress. The former, which is illustrated here (No. 130) differed from the latter in that it was worn with aiguillettes (silver for officers, gilt for Generals and above), white bow tie, white waistcoat and full sets of medals. The informal version had a black bow tie, blue-grey waistcoat of the same coloured material as the Full Dress itself and only ribbons mounted on a ribbon bar were worn. Black shoes were worn as were white gloves. No hat was worn with this uniform.
131. German Air Force: Generaloberst, 1938, Air Force Service Tunic worn as Parade Dress
The four pocket, open neck Service Tunic or 'Tuchrock' was an item of Luftwaffe dress worn by all ranks of the Air Force. Its use was widespread and until the introduction on 11th November 1938 of the Uniform Tunic or Luftwaffe 'Waffenrock' (No. 134), it was worn on the following occasions. As a Parade Dress by certain grades of Warrant Officers, by all officers and by Generals (as shown here in No. 131). When worn with a blue-grey shirt and black tie it was used as Service Dress, Undress and Reporting Uniform by all officers. It was permitted to be used for both Walking-out (white shirt and black tie) and for Flying Service when it replaced the use of the Flight Blouse (blue-grey shirt and black tie) (No. 135). It was also used as both Formal and Informal Full Dress for day-time use by officers, worn together with white shirt, stiff collar and black tie, or Formal and Informal Full Dress for NCO's and Men also worn with white shirt, stiff collar and black tie.
132. German Air Force: Air Force Administration Official with the rank of General, 1940, The Special Tunic 'Kleiner Rock' for Generals and above
Air Force officers from the rank of General upwards including Administrative Officials and Air Force Engineers of General's rank had as part of their military wardrobe a special tunic, referred to as the 'Kleiner Rock' or Little Coat, that could be worn as Walking-out Dress, Undress and Informal Full Dress. It was always worn together with the officers' broad striped, long trousers. The distinctive feature of this tunic was the use of wide coloured lapel facings and piping down the front of the tunic and around the tops of the turn-back cuffs. Air Force Generals were distinguished by white facings and piping, whilst Engineer Officers displayed Rose pink facings and piping. The broad stripes on their trousers matched the colour used on the tunics. Air Force Administration Officials permitted to wear this tunic had, before February 1940, worI1 dark green facings and piping together with broad dark green trouser stripes. This however was altered after 16 February so that white trouser stripes were introduced (No. 132) and were worn together with the dark green facing and piping of the tunic. Production of these tunics erased at the outbreak of war but those officers who already possessed such a tunic were permitted to continue to wear it.
133. German Air Force: Feldwebel, Regiment General G�ring, 1938, NCO's Summer Walking-out Dress
Unlike the Army the German Air Force provided, before the war, a summer uniform, - blue-grey Service Tunic and white trousers - for its Men and NCO's and an all white summer uniform of white tunic and trousers for wear by its officers and officials of all ranks. This practice ceased after 193 and only those persons who possessed such items were permitted to continue using them. As a form of summer dress these items of apparel were to have been used from 1st April to the 30 September each year, weather permitting. The white top summer cap had a cloth top that was removable.
134. German Air Force: Stabswachtmeister, Horst Wessel Squadron, 1940, The Uniform Tunic
The Waffenrock or Uniform Tunic first introduced into the Luftwaffe in November 1938 was intended to replace the two earlier Air Force uniforms, the Service Tunic (Tuchrock) (Nos. 131, 133) and the Flight Blouse (Fliegerbluse) (No. 135). In its general appearance it was very similar to the Service Tunic but the Uniform Tunic was cut in such a way that, by the addition of an extra button, the tunic could be worn buttoned at the neck. All other features remained the same. Although the actual rank of this Artillery NCO is that of Oberwachtmeister he wears the double sleeve rings indicating that he holds the appointment of Hauptwachtmrister. The cuff title is that for Zerst�rer Geschwader 26 'Horst Wessel' and the yellow duty cords worn around the right shoulder indicate he is duty NCO for that day.
135. German Air Force: Fighter Squadron Hauptmann, 1945, Flight Service Blouse
The Flight Blouse or 'Fliegerbluse' was the Air Force equivalent of the jacket worn with the Army's Special Panter Uniform (No. 93). It was especially designed for use by flying personnel on the same principle in that it allowed for ease of movement when worn by a pilot in the close confines of an aircraft cockpit. There was no 'skirt' to the single breasted blouse, no cuffs or attached belt; it was fly-fronted
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