Dear Readers

The globalised world that has bought us together through the pages of this journal, that celebrates our shared appreciation of mid-century style, now threatens to pull us apart as shipping costs for Men’s File and CLUTCH seem to be increasing, almost exponentially. Printed in the heart of Tokyo, this journal makes its way across the world to you directly in a single envelope or boxed and palleted to your local dealer. The shipping costs are dependent on the weight of each copy, and for this reason we have joined Men’s File and CLUTCH within the same cover and sought to use a lighter paper stock. I explain the specifics of these changes as I know that our readers are not the type of people who, although skilled at adaptation, let developments just pass unnoticed. In fact, it’s our further shared interest in all matters technical and historic that enthrals us on another level. Thus, Men’s File and CLUTCH are no longer arranged in a wrapper, but as a single magazine.

In this issue we meet the flyers, who through complex networks and years of research are able to recreate the visuals and mood of the airfields that protected Britain’s vulnerable south coast and Home Counties during WWII. Sometimes known as the Brylcream boys, after the excessive amounts of hair cream used to slick-back their unruly locks, the original aces developed their own unique style. Today the military stylists in this issue are part of an unparalleled recreationist group known as Spirit of Britain. Make no mistake, these are no ‘small islanders’ or ‘little-Englanders’ but diverse individuals with an international vision. Jamie, Simon, Jack, Alex, Lucy, Alan, Dicky, Derek, Freddie and all the others have been fortunate enough to team-up with the globally recognised Aircraft Restoration Co. at Duxford, that restores and flies WWII aircraft and can take you up in a Spitfire for the closest thing you will ever get to a real dog-fight over the green fields of Cambridgeshire. One of the founders of SoB, Jamie Delaney (the other being his dad Simon) is a military clothing dealer who heads-up Dalston’s Blighty Militaria and can supply just about anything for the serious collector, professional stylist and hip individual, wishing to experiment with ancient military and civilian apparel – all are welcome.

Finally, we celebrate modernist design in our choice of featured autos, that include the Tatra T600 and Simca Aronde Plein Ciel, and aircraft with the Duxford-based ARCo Bristol Blenheim and the Shuttleworth Collection’s 1934 Miles Hawk Speed Six. In fact, modernist style features throughout this issue with architecture from Amyas Connell’s ‘White House’ and Zagato’s Lancia Flaminia Sport. In terms of rare machinery, stylish clothing and uniquely creative individuals, there’s very little globally that can match Men’s File.