Please read here about the proper fit of the jacket.

The M40 flyer's blouse or Fliegerbluse was an adaption of the M35 Fliegerbluse, which was itself descended from one of the field blouses worn by German troops during WWI. The 1940 pattern here differed from that adopted in 1935 by the addition of two flapped pockets inside the skirt and a field dressing pocket inside the right side of the jacket. There were also two inside pockets at chest level that closed by means of tabs and buttons. Usually, the Soldbuch was carried in the right pocket and would show clearly through the front of the blouse.

The Fliegerbluse was the day to day uniform of the Luftwaffe. The collar was worn open in the spring and summer months and worn closed in the fall and winter. The white collarless shirt was worn under the blouse, but according to regulation the shirt's neck opening had to be open and folded back to present a "V-neck" appearance as shown at the left. NCOs could wear the Fliegerbluse with the blue-flecked shirt and tie for certain duties.

Insignia worn on the Fliegerbluse included the collar tabs and shoulder straps as shown at the left. The breast eagle as used on the Tuchrock was ordered added to the Fliegerbluse in 1940, but photos show it still missing on some jackets as late as 1944. The early style 10mm silver rank tresse around the collar and shoulder straps to denote NCOs continued to be used by the Luftwaffe.

The color of the wool was field blue or feldblau, which was meant to be a gray-blue color. As is typical with German uniforms, the acceptable color range was very broad, ranging from gray to bluish gray to dark blue with a slight gray cast. Even in black and white, period photos show the wide range of different shades of field-blue. The use of greater and greater percentages of man-made fiber in the uniforms also affected the color of the final product. The lining was gray or blue twill or "artificial silk" rayon. Buttons were usually either black bakelite (an early plastic) or gray glass. Buttons on the shoulder straps and pocket flaps are the usual 19mm pebbled metal type.

The Lost Battalions reproduction is made directly from the 1940 pattern and is correct in every detail. Hidden buttons are the black plastic type and the 19mm are replicas from originals.