Stylish in uniform

The Royal Air Force yesterday introduced a new "Ralph Lauren style" range of fashion for both men and women in an effort to raise its profile. The new collection, consisting of fifty items, is now available online and at least one high street retailer is said to have shown interest in stocking the collection. Proceeds from the sale of the collection will support the RAF's museums.

" Our goal is to raise awareness of the Royal Air Force and its capabilities, roles and deployments," said the RAF's communications director Captain Andrew Turner. "We want to reinforce our reputation and profile - the RAF is a smaller organisation than yesteryear and our footprint on the nation can no longer be taken for granted."

There are two collections to choose from - the RAF Collection and the RAF Off-duty Range. Manufactured under license by global licensing firm 4Kids Entertainment International, items include a bikini, T-shirts and a leather flying jacket. Menswear items carry RAF wings on the labels, including the motto "rise above the rest". Women's items carry a lael with the letters RAF and a crown in silver. Prices range from £25 for a t-shirt to £150 for the flying jacket.