Newsboy-type caps - Randolph AFB 1938-40 *photos*

[Flieger]

From a fellow aviation historian I came across these photos showing USAAC personel servicing BT-14 trainers at Randolph AFB somewhere between 1938-40. Boy, those caps are soooo stylish!

Does anyone have a clue as to the color of them? OK, they are dirty in most shots, but what color did they have when they where clean? Olive Drab, Kakhi?

Flieger

 

[Fletch]

Surely not regular Army issue? Prewar dogfaces wore denim "prison" work clothes and floppy Daisy Mae hats (like boonies).

The material (coveralls and caps both) seems not to be herringbone twill either.

My WAG on the color is OD #3, aka "That Ain't Khaki."

Unissued original M1941 "Parsons" jackets

 

[deanglen]

The guy on the left in the bottom picture has an HBT cap, it would appear. I can't thank you enough for these shots, Flieger, they are absolutely terrific and I appreciate them very much. If you find any ore feel free to post'em!



"the cap"

 

[BellyTank]

Are they actually AAF personnel, or company/private contractors?
A peculiar form of military headwear.

B
T

 

[Fletch]

Keep in mind that during the 1930s the US military was very small in numbers, and especially the AAC was somewhat "unmilitary" in appearance by the standards of wartime.

 

[Flieger]

As far as I can tell, the guys in these shots are ordinary AAC personel. I can't show you the full photos yet (these are excerpts), since they are not mine. But I'll try to get clearence from the owner. I think thre's another batch coming in in the next couple of days. I'll see if I can post more then.

/F

 

[BellyTank]

The guy on the left in the bottom picture has an HBT cap, it would appear. I can't thank you enough for these shots, Flieger, they are absolutely terrific and I appreciate them very much. If you find any ore feel free to post'em!



"the cap"

Good day, Cap!

I can see a bit of HBT-looking striping going on there but remember the
old-timey Herringbone denim workwear..? Dungarees, Oshkosh B'Gosh...
We can't see the colour...

B
T

 

[deanglen]

Good day, Cap!

I can see a bit of HBT-looking striping going on there but remember the
old-timey Herringbone denim workwear..? Dungarees, Oshkosh B'Gosh...
We can't see the colour...

B
T

BT, you are probably right on there! Good point! Thanks!



"the cap"

 

[Flieger]

Got another photo showing these caps:

/F