hanon Flying Club 670 Squadron

hanon flying club Look out this summer for The Flying club, our latest collaborative project with New Balance. We are almost ready to launch the ‘670 Squadron’ – two archive New Balance running shoes complete with tailor-made uppers and smart fabric technology. For this latest release we have worked with Ventile a British company renowned for the production of their superior 100% cotton all weather material. The company Ventile goes way back. We found the origin and application of the fabric fascinating and felt it a perfect choice to be constructed into a vintage running shoe. The material handles like a quality chino or M-65 military jacket and has a dense weave that when in contact with water expands to produce a virtually weatherproof membrane. More information can be found on Ventile below. The Flying Club has been manufactured at the New Balance Flimby factory to a very tight production run. This release differs from the equivalent inline 670 model and features custom detailing that is unique only to this style. Images to follow.. Hanon flying club spec: • Squadron release: M670GKY Tornado & M670BRY Spitfire • 150 pairs of each model produced • Constructed at the New Balance Flimby factory UK. • 100% cotton Ventile premium underlays • Custom built upper features vintage style tongue, bespoke tongue label and unbranded back tab. • Sueded pigskin overlays Wolverine leathers Rockford Michigan USA. • Customised EVA midsole unit • Foxing and back tab – European full grain bovine leather. Release August 2008. More info, snaps and confirmed release date to follow. 1. Classic ‘old school’ open weave laminated mesh tongue face. Bound and unbagged replicates early New Balance running shoes. Ventile backed. 2. Collar lining - 100% stretch polyurethane on a knitted polyestser base to an 8mm semi soft foam to replicate the vintage industry standard collar from yester year. 3. Customised ‘aged’ original EVA midsole unit. 4. Foxing and backtab - European Full grain bovine premium leather. Backtab unbranded. 5. Bespoke hanon tongue label. Designed to reflect the early association with fighter pilots. 6. Classic 1piece single New Balance N. A nod to the runnning shoes produced in the 70’s and 80’s. Classic 1piece single New Balance N. A nod to the runnning shoes produced in the 70’s and 80’s. 8. Tip and saddle- By Wolverine Leathers. Sueded pigskin. Manufactured in the US Tannery at Rockford Michigan. The black red version is double dyed to achieve the intense rich black. Created using a specialist tanning process that produces a premium fabric witha superior nap and feel to normal bovine suede. Resists staining with the addition of a Scotchguard finish. 9. Apron, Collar And Tongue Backer - Ventile. 100% cotton using finest long staple fibres found in the top 2% of the world’s crop Densely woven using up to 30% more yarn than conventional woven fabric. When in contact with water the combination of fibres, yarn and weave causes it to expand in a uniform manner resulting in a virtually water proof material .The fabric therefore provides excellent protection against wind, rain snow and cold. 10.In due deference to the featured Ventile fabric, the laces are bespoke 100% cotton also. A Note On Ventile. Ventile is the world’s most effective, natural all weather breathable fabric. Densely woven using the finest 100% cotton long staple fibres, it is designed to achieve the best possible balance of weather performance, comfort and hard wear. Ventile was originally created during the late 1930’s as a substitute for Flax in the production of fire hoses. It came to prominence however in World War II when it was developed especially for flying suits due to it’s unique waterproofing qualities. During the conflict, fighter pilots would cover for merchant convoys transporting vital supplies across the Arctic ocean. As the distance was often too great for home based help, and the shipping fleet susceptible to submarine attack or long range bombers, Winston Churchill promoted the idea of expendable hurricane aircraft. Planes were catapulted off the merchant ships to provide local cover. As there were no means of landing back on deck, the pilots would have to ditch the aircraft and bail out into the sea at the end of their sortie. Ventile suits improved the length of time a pilot could survive in the arctic ocean from a couple of minutes to 20 minutes. As a result 80% survived. Previously most had died from exposure. Ventile continues it’s military association to this day and is still used by tornado pilots with the RAF and other NATO airforces. Its recognition as a superior all weather fabric has also grown over the years. Expeditions of the Antarctic and Mt Everest have been conquered by climbers and explorers wearing Ventile garments. The British Antarctic Survey benefit from outerwear and tents made from Ventile and the fabric has provided protection for the likes of Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Chris Bonnington.