Touching the Past
History has come back to life after a 100 year old flying jacket used in the first world war has been painstakingly reproduced.
The jacket is part of the First World War aviation collection at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, and has for some time been used in regular "hands on" talks put on by the Learning Department of the Museum for school visitors.
However, the jacket is now becoming too delicate for handling and Pittards, the leading leather manufacturer agreed to provide a replica.
'We are stunned at the quality and attention to detail of the new jacket provided by Pittards' said Julia Hodson, Head of Visitor Services at
the Fleet Air Arm Museum. 'Christina Charles, the Head Designer at Pittards, worked closely with us to check all details, and she has come up with virtually an exact replica. This means we can now continue with this aspect in our 'hands on' talk on 100 years of history for visiting groups which is an important part of our Museum's operation. We can't thank Pittards enough".
Christina Charles said she was delighted she had been able to help. "I usually spend my time working on new trends and designing ideas for Pittards new Fashion Collections, which are sold in the Pittard's shop, on line and also at various retailers around the country. To have the opportunity to work on something so different was an exciting challenge".
Christina said ensuring the leather replicated the look and feel from a 100 years ago was difficult as leather manufacturing processes have advanced so much in recent years. However, working with the company's extensive Research & Development Department, she was able to produce an almost exact copy.
"A lot of thought and care had obviously been put into the original design for pilots during the 1st world war", she said "In those days the aircraft were so wonderfully basic, with no protection for the pilots, and so warmth was a key aspect. We have recreated the jacket using carefully selected leather that is really very similar indeed to the original material used and we are very pleased with the final result".
The replica jacket has now been handed over to the Fleet Air Arm Museum during a special talk on 100 years of History to a group of young students from Danesfield School and the original jacket will be transferred to a protected display area at the Museum.