„Luftwaffe 1943“ „CAPESKIN“

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 wingmen 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 Fw190 through out WW2. He managed to shoot down 101 airplanes in over 1300 missions. More than half of his kills were Spitfires. All his victories were against western allies. His most important victory was without doubt surviving 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 fighters 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, Prillers 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. had decided not to use French „Eclair“ zippers but instead reproduced the German built „Zipp“ zippers, widely used on German flying gear through out WW2. The jacket lining is made from silvergrey 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 straps and o-rings just like on the original jacket.

The backside of the „Luftwaffe 1943“ is made from one 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 can 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: Capeskin

Color: dark brown

Zipper: „Zipp“ D.R.P.

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 german

Price: from 1049.- € incl. german tax