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#3285303 - 05/02/11 05:32 PM Did WW1 pilots really wear scarves?  
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Scoobe Offline
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or is that just a Hollywood implementation?
Most of the pics I’ve seen from that era don’t show them.
Just curious.

Rob

Last edited by Dart; 05/03/11 08:39 PM.

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#3285322 - 05/02/11 05:46 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Mark Aisthorpe Offline
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The radial engines at least (not sure about the in-line's) had total loss oil systems so there was a constant oil mist being blown back at the pilot.
Wearing a scarf had two benefits, it could be used to wipe your goggles if needed and it could cover your mouth and nose, the castor based oil used was a diaretic so not only did it lubricate the engine but if breathes could also lubricate the pilots bowls.


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#3285323 - 05/02/11 05:46 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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meh
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I have photos of pilots with scarves but since they only used them to keep from breathing in the oil just about any face protection worked including high collar jackets or etc.

#3285330 - 05/02/11 05:55 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Every pilot I've seen had their scarves wrapped around their necks and not blowing in the slipstream. The main purpose of a scarf was to protect the pilot from cold, which it did not do when flapping in the breeze. Look at how MvR and Goering, for instance, wrapped their scarves. Close-up video of Goering unwrapping his scarf post-sortie, and he even secured his with a pin. Scarves around the neck were not necessary to clean goggles as many pilots had rags or extra scarves for that purpose, such as von Tutschek, for example, who knotted one through a buttonhole.

So, it is legend, as is the castor oil myth.

#3285342 - 05/02/11 06:09 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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rockhpi Offline
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I had read that they were silk because a pilot is constantly looking all around and their collars rubbed on their necks.

#3285383 - 05/02/11 07:01 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Pooch Offline
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Yes, silk scarves have been used by fighter pilots since World War One to prevent the chaffing of the neck, caused by constantly turning your head. The collar from the leather jackets would rub you raw without them. I've seen em on pilots of jet fighters, too.
You don't see them , because they didn't wear them hanging hanging half way out of the airplane in real life. They were wrapped completely around the neck. Imagine how annoying that would have been, falpping around in a 100 mile an hour slipstream.


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#3285394 - 05/02/11 07:07 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Josh Echo Offline
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Yep, they were primarily to prevent chafing and to protect from cold. Always kept wrapped around the neck, not flying back in the slipstream, as these gentlemen have pointed out.

#3285520 - 05/02/11 09:28 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Josh Echo]  
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nibbio Offline
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Originally Posted By: Josh Echo
Yep, they were primarily to prevent chafing and to protect from cold. Always kept wrapped around the neck, not flying back in the slipstream, as these gentlemen have pointed out.



You mean Peanuts is not historically accurate?


#3285597 - 05/02/11 11:13 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Josh Echo Offline
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I'm afraid not; Sopwith Camels weren't usually painted red. [g]

#3285672 - 05/03/11 01:32 AM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Josh Echo]  
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Tiger27 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Josh Echo
I'm afraid not; Sopwith Camels weren't usually painted red. [g]


Ok, now your going too far, the dogfights between Snoopy and the Red Baron are legendary, and now your trying to say they wern't real, well I have a whole load of peanuts books proving that they are real hick


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#3285838 - 05/03/11 07:21 AM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Josh Echo]  
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Broadside_Uda_Barn Offline
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Originally Posted By: Josh Echo
I'm afraid not; Sopwith Camels weren't usually painted red. [g]

Bah! Shows how much YOU know smile whenpigsfly




Now THAT'S a sexy machine if there ever was one!

Last edited by Broadside_Uda_Barn; 05/03/11 07:23 AM.

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#3285858 - 05/03/11 08:53 AM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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Wodin Offline
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As atated for chaffing reasons and wiping oil off goggles etc...but they never let them fly out behind them..they hwere tucked in around the collar.

As Pooch said.

#3285935 - 05/03/11 12:07 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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womenfly2 Offline
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Flying around with a scarf flopping around behind you is not fun after the first few minutes. The air-stream pulls the scarf and throws it around with some good force from the prop slipstream. After a few minutes of flying, this effect wears on your neck. Not to mention it can reverse direction in certain maneuvers and come across your face, been there-done that.

The comments above of cleaning goggles, protection form cold and anti-chafing of neck were its main use. No Hollywood stuff in the air when it was life or death.


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#3285987 - 05/03/11 01:23 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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mike1997 Offline
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For my birthday my wife got me a real white silk scarf as a gag gift. For S&G's I put it on to "fly" and I'll be damn'd if it didn't help with chafing while looking around with Trackir!

#3286227 - 05/03/11 06:11 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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BD-123 Offline
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You certainly wouldn't want to do that in a Pusher; shades of Isadora Duncan what?



#3286518 - 05/03/11 11:44 PM Re: Did WW1 pilots really were scarves? [Re: Scoobe]  
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R_Suppards Offline
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The flapping scarf, the riding breeches and the short jacket were all Affectations adopted by the American barnstormers. Others above are accurate in how and why the scarf was used in WWl.


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