Part 10/12:
Throughout the war, personal gear and aircraft design evolved with experience. Early pilots had more freedom in clothing choices, often opting for bespoke apparel. As the war progressed, standardization increased—though some officers still made personalized modifications, such as leopard-skin linings in their suits.
Safety and Accidents
A somber note touched upon was the fact that more Royal Flying Corps crews perished from accidents than combat itself—approximately 14,000 deaths from training accidents and mechanical failures compared to 8,000 from enemy action. This statistic underscores the perilous nature of early military aviation.