SPANISH CIVIL WAR ITALIAN AVIATION VOLUNTEERS UNIFORM.

A very rare uniform purchased by ourselves in Italy, this uniform is made in Spain from Spanish rough woollen material and is the uniform of an Italian who would have volunteered to fight for the fascist cause in the Spanish Civil War, in the very similar vein to the German Condor Legion. Italian Air Force volunteers played a very large role with the air capacity of the fascist Spanish side, there were approximately 5,699 airmen of Italian origin who fought for Franco, these became known as the Aviacon Legionaira, they were hidden within the umbrella of the term Spanish Foreign Legion, which of course had existed for many years, this was part of the security measure, they became known as the Aviacon Deltercio, the vast majority were stationed on the Island of Majorca, they were engaged in combat from the very start until the end of the Spanish Civil War. The uniform itself is most interesting, it is basically cut as of an Italian Air Force uniform with large bellows pockets and open collar style, a separate cloth belt with characteristic cloth covered buckle and scalloped pocket flaps. The epaulettes are of blue Air Force colour, the buttons are most unusual being the simple domed flying bird, the uniform is lined throughout in a ribbed silk material. The trousers are wide with typical turn-ups and very much reminiscent of men’s fashion of this time. Good medium size overall and would suit a mannequin. This is the first of these type of uniforms we have ever been lucky enough to purchase. Within a pocket we found a creased small ticket, which was a validation for breakfast and is clearly marked ‘Aviacon Deltercio’ with overstamps to show it had been used, presumably this was from some form of canteen attached to the Air Legion unit. Any uniform items from this turbulent period is very difficult to find particularly outside of Spain. One small moth nip to the upper right hand shoulder, one moth nip to the outside left hand leg of the trouser.

Code: 80384