„Luftwaffe 1943“

Josef „Pips“ Priller Edition

Josef Priller was assigned to JG 26 „Schlageter“ and later promoted Commodore of JG 26. Priller became famous on June 06th 1944 (D Day) as Operation Overlord was in full swing and Priller and his wingman Heinz Wodarczyk attacked the landing beaches as the only Luftwaffe airplanes that day and survived to tell the tale. Priller flew almost all different variants of the Focke Wulf 190 through out WW2. He managed to shoot down 101 airplanes in over 1300 missions. More than half of his kills were Spitfires. All his victorys were against Western Allies. His most important victory was without doubt to survive the war as he flew from the begining to the end of hostilities. „Pips“ Priller died young at age 45 in 1961 as a civilian. He was buried in full military honor and fighter planes of the new „Bundesluftwaffe“ flew over the ceremony.

Mitchell Mfg‘s „Luftwaffe 1943“ is an exact copy of the French made flight jacket worn by Priller in 1943. A very short cut, the „Blouson Cycliste“ which most likely was made from goatskin and typical for that period. Mitchell Mfg. has faithfully reproduced Prillers flight jacket to the very last detail. Original color slides from 1942 and 1943 played a vital role in the reconstruction of this jacket. Unlike many other flight jackets from that time, Priller´s jacket had no metal buckle to close the jacket, instead a leather faced button and a strap was used. The same leather buttons can be found on the front pockets as well as the cuffs. Mitchell Mfg. has decided not to use French „Eclair“ zippers but reproduced the German built „Zipp“ zippers instead, widely used on German flying gear throughout WW2. As main zipper original Swiss made RIRI was choosen. The jacket lining is made from silver grey rayon and there are five pockets of which one is inside and can be closed with a zipper. The jacket can be adjusted at the hips with a leather strap and O-rings just like on the original jacket. The back panel of the „Luftwaffe 1943“ is made from one single piece of leather. The only difference to the original WW2 jacket worn by Priller is the length of the jacket, as it was so short that no one would want to wear it today. Therefore Mitchell Mfg. adjusted the length, which still is kind of short! Whether you‘re in the air or on the road, with Mitchell Mfg‘s „Luftwaffe 1943 „Pips Priller“ you wear a piece of German aviation history.

„Luftwaffe 1943“

Specifications:

Gerät=Nr. 1943 A-3

Anforderz. FL 31943

Leather: Goatskin 1,2 mm

Color: Dark brown

Zipper: „Zipp“ D.R.P., Swiss made RIRI

O-Ring Prym Germany

Thread: 100% cotton mid brown

Lining: Rayon silver grey

Label: „Luftwaffe 1943“ / Josef „Pips“ Priller woven

Sizes: 38-48 US / 48-58 D

Price: 939.- €