In the pre-title sequence of Thunderball, Connery's Bond was engaged in both "fight" AND "flight", naturally accomplished with aplomb in his Anthony Sinclair flannel suit.
Flannel. Elegant and refined. 'Thunderball' (1965)
The fight element of the opening scene took audiences by surprise, as Bond appeared to launch an attack on a recently bereaved widow. However, the mourning wife was, in fact, the SPECTRE assassin Jacques Bouvar, who had just staged his own funeral after faking his death to avoid detection by MI6, having killed two agents.
No matter what your opinion of cross-dressing, there is no doubt Bouvar looked pretty good in a dress and heels, but 007 wasn't fooled, having recognised some unladylike behaviour - explaining before the fight ensued:
"My dear Colonel Bouvar. I don't think you should've opened that car door by yourself."
Flannel. Responds well to treatment for cuts and abrasions. Thunderball (1965)
Sean Connery had worn an Anthony Sinclair three-piece flannel suit in the final scene of Goldfinger (1964) in which he fought his nemesis aboard a private jet he'd hijacked before sending the villain to his death. The flannel suit performed particularly well in the fight, and Sinclair was commissioned to create another for the sequel the following year.
The Jet Pack scene. Thunderball (1964)
The Thunderball three-piece grey flannel suit worn in the opening scene was very similar to that worn in Goldfinger. There is a slight variation in shade, but the significant difference is the style of the waistcoat, which has a square-cut front hem, rather than the more conventional points used in the previous film. The design is clean and simple... with less to interrupt the quick securing of a jet-pack harness.
A dusty landing. Thunderball (1965)
The flight section of the opening sequence saw Sinclair's bespoke creation suffer further punishment. The take-off and landing were perfectly executed, but the jet-pack threw up a blanket of dust that covered Connery's clothes.
It was just another day in the life of a secret agent’s suit. Anthony Sinclair’s classic tailoring offers timeless styles designed for action, adventure… and longevity. Connery could have immediately returned his flannel ensemble to Sinclair, and it would have been brushed, sponged, pressed, and invisibly repaired before he had been discharged from his convalescence at the Shrublands health resort.
Click here to view the flannel suit design worn in Thunderball
Click here to view the flannel suit design worn in Goldfinger
Click here to read more about how Connery's Bond was "A Fan of Flannel"
Click here to read more about the Thunderball 60th anniversary launch