Serge (fabric) Serge (fabric) Serge is a type of twill fabric that has diagonal lines or ridges on both sides, made with a two-up, two-down weave. The worsted variety is used in making military uniforms, suits, great coats and trench coats. Its counterpart, silk serge, is used for linings. French serge is a softer, finer variety. The word is also used for a high quality woolen woven fabric. The name is derived from Old French , itself from Latin , from Greek ("serikos"), meaning "silken". The early association of silk serge, Greece, and France is shown by the discovery in Charlemagne's tomb
Aircraft fabric covering fabric covered wings until 1939. Many transports, bombers and trainers still used fabric, although the flammable nitrate dope was replaced with butyrate dope instead, which burns less readily. The Mosquito is an example of a fabric-covered (Madapolam) plywood aircraft. The Vickers Wellington used fabric over a geodesic airframe which offered good combat damage resistance. An interesting case of ingenuity under wartime adversity was the Colditz Cock glider. This homebuilt aircraft, intended as a means of escape, employed prison bedding as its covering material; homemade glue and dope made from boiled millet were also used by the prisoners in its construction.