Original Items. Only One Group Available. This is a very attractive and scarce British First World War Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aviator's uniform jacket and visor cap set. Although the uniform is no longer named, it retains its original four-place ribbon bar, including the Military Cross, indicating that its original owner was decorated for gallantry. The Royal Naval Air Service served as the air arm of the Royal Navy under the Admiralty's Air Department from 1 July 1914 until 1 April 1918, when it merged with the Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, the world's first independent air force.

The jacket bears two gold rank stripes and an eagle on each cuff, denoting the rank of Flight Lieutenant. The left breast retains its original four-place ribbon bar consisting of the Military Cross, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. The ribbon bar exhibits significant wear, with the ribbons heavily tattered and frayed, though each award remains readily identifiable. The original name tag was once present inside the interior pocket but has since been removed. All original buttons remain firmly attached.

One of the most desirable features of this jacket is the presence of the correct three-stud attachment system securing both cuff eagles, a construction detail that confirms this is a genuine First World War period jacket rather than a later example.

The accompanying visor cap retains its original oilcloth chinstrap secured by cloth-covered side buttons. The front displays a beautifully embroidered bullion Royal Naval Air Service cap badge, while the interior exhibits moderate service wear. The leather sweatband has separated in places due to missing stitching, and the only visible marking is the size stamp, 7, located beneath the sweatband.

At the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the Royal Naval Air Service consisted of just 93 aircraft, six airships, two balloons, and 727 personnel. As the conflict expanded, the service maintained twelve airship stations around the British coastline while operating seaplanes, carrier-borne aircraft, and shore-based aviation units. The RNAS also fielded several highly regarded fighter squadrons on the Western Front and undertook some of Britain's earliest strategic bombing operations, despite the experimental nature of such missions.

Competition between the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps even influenced aircraft procurement. Sopwith aircraft originally intended for RNAS use were often diverted to the RFC to meet urgent operational needs. As a result, RNAS fighter squadrons received advanced aircraft such as the Sopwith Pup, Triplane, and Camel before many RFC units, which continued flying increasingly obsolete equipment.

On 23 June 1917, RNAS aircraft attacked Tulkarm in the Judean Hills following the Second Battle of Gaza. Less than a year later, on 1 April 1918, the RNAS merged with the Royal Flying Corps to create the Royal Air Force. At the time of the merger, the service had grown to 55,066 officers and men, 2,949 aircraft, 103 airships, and 126 coastal stations. Existing RNAS squadrons were incorporated into the new force by adding 200 to their existing squadron numbers, with the famed No. 1 Squadron RNAS becoming No. 201 Squadron RAF.

The Royal Navy regained control of its carrier-borne aviation in 1937 when the Fleet Air Arm returned to Admiralty authority as the Naval Air Branch. In 1952, the service officially resumed the historic Fleet Air Arm title.

This is an exceptionally scarce surviving Royal Naval Air Service aviator's uniform grouping. The presence of the Military Cross ribbon, the correct three-stud cuff eagles confirming First World War manufacture, and the beautifully embroidered RNAS visor cap make this an outstanding representative example of one of Britain's earliest naval aviators.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5"
Chest width: 19"
Waist: 18"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 32"