{"product_id":"original-canadian-wwii-rcaf-wing-commander-pilot-s-uniform-and-overcoat-grouping-with-fur-hat-and-overseas-cap-edward-burnett-goodspeed-obe","title":"Original Canadian WWII RCAF Wing Commander Pilot’s Uniform and Overcoat Grouping with Fur Hat and Overseas Cap - Edward Burnett Goodspeed, OBE","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an outstanding identified Royal Canadian Air Force officer’s uniform grouping belonging to Wing Commander Edward Burnett Goodspeed, OBE, who served with the RCAF during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping includes Goodspeed’s named Wing Commander service tunic, matching trousers, named overcoat, officer’s shirt and tie, overseas cap, suspenders, and a striking fur hat with bullion aviation insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoodspeed was recognized in the 1943 Birthday Honours through his appointment as an Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire. His senior rank, pilot qualification, dated garments, and documented OBE appointment give this grouping considerable historical and collector interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Royal Canadian Air Force underwent an extraordinary expansion during WWII. From a relatively small prewar service, it grew into one of the largest Allied air forces and played a central role in training, coastal patrol, home defense, transport, and combat operations overseas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanadian airmen served throughout Britain, Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and other theaters. Senior officers such as Goodspeed formed part of the command structure responsible for administering and directing this enormous wartime aviation effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoodspeed’s service tunic retains three rank bands on each cuff, denoting the rank of Wing Commander.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmbroidered CANADA titles are present on both shoulders, identifying the wearer as a Canadian serving within the wider Commonwealth air organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA full RCAF pilot’s wing is positioned above the left breast pocket. This confirms Goodspeed’s qualification as a military pilot and adds considerable visual appeal to the tunic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the pilot’s wing is a six-place ribbon bar. The ribbons have been identified as representing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistinguished Flying Cross\u003cbr\u003e1939–1945 Star\u003cbr\u003eAir Crew Europe Star\u003cbr\u003eBritish Empire award\u003cbr\u003eDefence Medal\u003cbr\u003eCanadian Volunteer Service Medal with leaf device\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ribbon associated with the Order of the British Empire should be compared carefully with Goodspeed’s official award record, as he is documented as having been appointed an Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire rather than receiving the separately awarded British Empire Medal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the ribbon bar is a small set of operational flying wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior retains a tailor’s name label from an Ottawa maker reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eW\/C. E.B. Goodspeed.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.3.1943. 1821.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date of March 4, 1943, places the manufacture of the tunic during the same year in which his OBE appointment was announced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tunic remains in good overall condition and retains its matching waist belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe matching trousers have the same maker’s label as the tunic and are dated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10.3.1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey were completed only six days after the tunic, confirming that the two garments form a correct matching set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trousers retain their belt and remain in good overall condition, although some staining is present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoodspeed’s RCAF overcoat retains Wing Commander shoulder boards and CANADA shoulder titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior still has its hanging chain, and a name label inside the pocket reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL\/O. E.B. GOODSPEED\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e15-3-40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe March 15, 1940, date makes the overcoat a particularly interesting component of the grouping, as it documents Goodspeed’s wartime service several years before the manufacture of the 1943 tunic and trousers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overcoat remains in very good overall condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso included is a large fur hat displaying an elaborate bullion crown and wreath insignia with a pilot’s badge positioned at the center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hat is not visibly named, but it was acquired as part of the Goodspeed grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior material shows some shedding and deterioration, although the overall form remains intact. The interior retains a velvet sweatband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly distinctive piece of headgear and adds exceptional visual interest to the grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue overseas cap retains pilot-style wings with a crown above them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was manufactured by:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHAMILTON CAP COMPANY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior is named:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHACK G.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cap was therefore originally associated with another individual and was likely reissued, exchanged, or acquired by Goodspeed during or after his service. Its separate name is fully disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn officer’s shirt and tie are included. The shirt is marked as being made by Van Hausen in England.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shirt is heavily creased from storage but complements the uniform well and allows the grouping to be assembled into a more complete mannequin display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA set of suspenders is also included. They appear suitable for use with the trousers, although they have not been fitted or tested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete grouping includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWing Commander service tunic with pilot’s wings, CANADA titles, ribbon bar, operational wings, and matching belt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatching named trousers dated March 10, 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNamed Wing Commander overcoat dated March 15, 1940\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge fur hat with bullion crown, wreath, and aviation insignia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHamilton Cap Company overseas cap named to G.A. Hack\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOfficer’s shirt and tie\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuspenders\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dated garments provide an excellent visual record of Goodspeed’s wartime RCAF career. The 1940 overcoat predates the 1943 tunic and trousers, while the rank insignia, pilot’s wings, ribbon bar, and OBE appointment reflect his progression into the senior officer ranks of the wartime Royal Canadian Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed Canadian air force groupings of this scope are increasingly difficult to obtain. The combination of a matched service uniform, earlier overcoat, pilot qualification, senior Wing Commander rank, distinctive headgear, and documented connection to the 1943 Birthday Honours makes this a particularly desirable personal grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant and visually impressive uniform archive belonging to a decorated senior Canadian pilot officer during the greatest expansion in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44624353230917,"sku":"ONSV26JOS248","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26JOS248.jpg?v=1770672562","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-canadian-wwii-rcaf-wing-commander-pilot-s-uniform-and-overcoat-grouping-with-fur-hat-and-overseas-cap-edward-burnett-goodspeed-obe","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}