That’s an awful lot of Lord Lieutenants cadets you must have then…
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agreed.
And lets say you wear them twice a year on average (Remembrance parade and one other formal event, whatever that might be).
and lets say they last 15 years (on the assumption they still fit) - that is 30 occasions, so it “cost” £10 each time they are put on! (based on the £330 price from above)
yes i do!
obvious ones are as a Branch Officer for the RBL where I look after the Remembrance Parade - although confess this is a minimal cost hobby - more in the cost of getting to events/meetings than anything else.
I am also a pilot and aircraft owner (there is a hobby where all costs are typically starting at £100)
but i also walk and canoe.
walking boots imo are an investment work paying for, so my £100 boots are easily justified (I completed an 8 mile walk yesterday) but i also have a day-bag rucksac, and some other “gear” to make the day more comfortable
the canoe was the thick end of a grand, paddles and BA come in around a ton each, little to spend after that but still money to be spending at the start. (although the cost was split 50/50 with my wife)
back on topic:
i can see the justification for self-purchasing No1s, and if the RAF decided it wasn’t going to be issued anymore and agreed a fixed price to purchase from them, ie private purchase but from official supply (which could be discounted) say £300.
in my opinion i would be frustrated if it was only available via private-purchase and the RAF didn’t offer an option and up to the individual to source themselves - prices can be quite high in some cases i have heard, and it would be open to abuse as private tailors would see an opportunity.
No5s however is a tougher sell. Realistically looking at my time i would only wear theses maximum once a year. Having heard prices can start at £500-600 doesn’t seem value for money when my 15 year old, £100 tux still fits fine, looks as new as it did 15 years ago - and if Blues are requires can slip on No4s which increases the number of times No1s is worn!
@£330 per set for No1s, that is only 6 days (before tax) VA for a Sgt or Plt Off which is a week’s Summer camp
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When the regs get initial issue, are they charged/have it removed from pay, or are they “gratis”?
Not used them bu this source shows £330.
This supplier has been mentioned before on the forum - lots of the “complete” officer No1’s are quite dated (1970’s!), with brevets, or not dated (but Iraq War medal = 30 yrs ago of course!) - however, found this WO No1 - it’s got the Tate & Lyles too. 
Only a handful of No5’s - also quite dated. Search function = not so user friendly!
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This is the online shop for Turner Virr.
Cranditz Clothing Stores used to do No1’s from those baby officers who didn’t make the grade - up until a couple of years ago I think? Is this still an option?
Even if it is, I guess (a) availability will have dropped considerably due to reduced throughput, & (b) most of them will be for “racing snakes” rather than the average CFAV sculpted body!
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to be fair, several of them were!
Same applies to Halton for cadets - and they were a good source as cadets and baby airmen share the same skinniness.
Whereas, while I was successful in getting a slack handful of used no. 1s a few years back from the RAF, they are all far too big for cadets (and all airman pattern so no use for fat officers!)
Bit of difference between spritely teens/20-something’s and the average RAFAC Officer who comes through the door 
…"(b) most of them will be for “racing snakes” rather than the average CFAV sculpted body!"
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I have my then and now 1s and 5s
My then 1s jacket was let out by 4 inches when I got married and my then 5 trousers were spray on last century and won me the most visible pant line last time I wore them
My now ones are too big for me (managed to loose a little weight) and the trouser legs are so wide I have to tack in a strong wind.
But the quality of my Charles James ones are so much better than the T&V rubbish today…
…oh to be the racing snake I once was…
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Just a quick update: As mentioned earlier I treated myself to a set of No.1’s from Uniforium, the online shop that is Turner Virr…
I ordered a size up from what my actual measurements are as uniform always comes out too small… Sizes were still too tight, but a return and replacement of correct fitting kit was turned around in 24 hours, with rank sewing.
Spoke to a lovely lady in customer services called Claire that arranged it all for me.
Nice set of new, matching No.1 for £350.00 - prompt polite service, reasonable quality uniform. Would recommend them.
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Turner virr
They did my number 5’s a good many years ago.
Got a stonking discount for some ‘consultancy’ I did for them.
Always good quality with them.
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Very reasonable price!
I figured if I was going to spend £150 on a set from Ebay that might not fit, can’t get adjusted, unknown condition etc, for £350 may as well go for broke and get a new set!
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Blimey. Those are the very first two good responses I’ve heard for Turner Virr.
Usually the uniform - even private purchase made to measure uniform - comes out several inches too big. Perhaps they’ve changed their cutter in recent years.
I ended up getting a 96cm waist trouser (37.5’) that fit nicely, the suit trousers I slipped easily into this morning are a 32’…
The jacket I’m wearing now is a 40’ chest - I had to go with 108cm (42.5’) for a good fit on the uniform…
This is the same same as my uniform from stores - the measurements have no bearing on real life.
The trousers have a little room for later year expansion I must admit… But they are comfortable and it’s nothing a pair of braces can’t fix whilst I enjoy my current physique.
From what I understand turner virr actually lost the contract to supply uniform to the RAF about a year ago.
They have a huge stock pile of pre made stuff they tweak/send out nearest size hence the quick turn around
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I’d be pretty certain that’s how they’ve been supplying the RAF contract. Take measurements… find nearest stock size… Make some adjustments (maybe).
Always be wary about comparing tailored clothing with off the peg sizes. Retail sizing is generally ‘optimistic’. The label gives the size that people like to believe they are
For example, I wear a 34" waist in jeans and most off-the-peg trousers but my actual waist measurement is nearer 36½". I wear 92cm uniform trousers (92cm is 36.2"). It’s a much closer comparison to the actual measurement.
The garments will come with a certain amount of ease. i.e. they will be made slightly bigger than the measurement they’re intended to fit.