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Battle of Britain pilots

Battle of Britain pilots with their Mae West life jackets and flying clothes. Why were they called 'Mae West' life jackets? (Hint: what does Mae West rhyme with? Who was Mae West?)
What did pilots wear?

What did Pilots wear? As well as the familiar blue-grey uniform of the Royal Air Force, during the Battle of Britain period in 1940, a pilot's clothing consisted of:

Fleecy-lined leather boots

Leather gauntlets,  a pair of silk gloves and a pair of chamois leather gloves.

Irvin flying suit with fleecy-lined leather jacket

 Leather helmet and goggles

'Mae West' life jacket with its kapok stuffing and halter-like collar.

Parachute pack (on which the pilot sat). 

The aircraft's seat was hollowed to take the parachute pack, which had a layer of foam rubber on it for comfort. Aircraft had no heating at all - so it was important for their clothing to be warm.

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