Electrically heated clothing

THE efficiency of our air forces can be reduced very materially by physical discomfort¹ especially from the effects of severe cold. To be able to aim and fire machine guns and to operate bombsights and navigation instruments calls for finger dexterity and a mind and body not numbed by the cold found at high altitudes. Tests and experience have demonstrated that heated clothing will keep an inactive man comfortably warm for many hours at subzero temperatures. Such clothing was used to a small extent in the first World War and is used by all belligerents in this war. While many of our military craft have heating systems utilizing either engine heat or combustion heaters, not all parts of the ship can be heated, especially exposed positions where gunners are located. For these men, and for all the crew because of possible failure of the airplane heating system, electrically heated clothing is an important item in aerial warfare wherever subfreezing temperatures exist.