Army Air Corps Uniform

[Shawn F.]

My grandfather gave me a dress uniform jacket and shirt but I am trying to find pants to complete this uniform and find out more info on it. He was in Korean War and told me it is the same kind he had. I looked online and it looks the same as a WWII jacket and shirt. I am not sure if they used the same dress uniform in Korean and WWII or not.
It is of course the greenish wool type material, size 36S, left shoulder has the Air Corps patch with the white star, red dot and gold wings with blue background. Right sleeve at the bottom is a blue triangle with what looks like a gold gear.
I do not have pictures yet (will try to take some this coming week) so sorry about that. If anyone here has any info on this uniform and what era it sounds like or they were used until that would be great. Also I am in great need of 30X30 or 30X32 dress pants, correct tie, hat and belt to finish this outfit/uniform. I bid on a complete uniform set with hat, pants, shirt, jacket, etc but the guys Reserve was set much too high.
Thanks!

 

[MPicciotto]

Shawn,

Great to hear that you are preserving your grandfathers uniform and looking to complete it. The blue triangle with the gear would be a specialist designation for mechanic. To my knowledge ONLY the Air Corps/Force used those. My grandfather was in WW2 and worked on radios and radar, he had the same patch on his tunic but with the radio tower and lightning bolts. Why don't you post some pictures of what you have. Finding a belt and tie shouldn't be too hard. Pants in that size should be EASY and CHEAP to find. In fact I'm pretty sure I have a pair or two or three around those sizes. I might be able to help you out.

Matt

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks for the info! I actually want to wear this to a Halloween party. I have a few people telling me not to but I will be careful and it's not his actual uniform that he personally wore, just one exactly like it he said. He threw all his medals and uniform away because of the memories from Korean War. He actually in Korean War was in 1st Cav 7th Regiment in the Army. After the war he joined what he called Air Force which I believe was this Army Air Corps and then became a MP.
I would love to find a 1st Cav uniform but just do not have the money. I will try posting a picture very soon. If you are interested in selling any of the pants, please let me know!
I'd also like to find information out or pictures online of some of these uniforms with the correct pins, patches and placements of them. I have the patches on the jacket already but there are some pins that I put above the left pocket and I'd like to put a few others on it. My only problem is I am not sure if a "Rifle Expert" pin fits the category of Army Air Corps since I do not know what the exact job was as far as mechanic (vehicles, aircraft, etc). All I know is that currently today everyone in the Army is a soldier first (meaning infantry pretty much) and their job duties or MOS is second. I've seen cooks kicking in doors in Iraq instead of cooking meals so who knows. :eusa_doh:

 

[HepKitty]

please post pictures!

thank you

 

[Shawn F.]

The Jacket (Tunic I believe they are called) looks exactly like this one in this link: http://www.militaryantiquesmuseum.c...php?step=20&searchunder=prodid&searchfor=6827
It has two buttons on the collar instead of one like pictured other than that, it's the same. It's the enlisted one and NOT the officer jacket which I believe has a different pocket style and buttons.
I pretty much want to complete this outfit with pins, patches, hat, belt, tie and the correct pants.
Thanks again for any help here guys!

 

[Sgt Brown]

I MAY BE TOTALLY TALKING THROUGH MY HAT BUT...

The jacket you show is WWII. By Korea, the Army was almost exclusively wearing waist-length Eisenhower jackets. For that you would need a 1st Cavalry patch for the left shoulder and "US" and Infantry collar disks for the collar. For Korea, the shirt, tie, trousers, belt, overseas cap and shoes would be the same as WWII.

The Army Air Forces (AAF) ceased to exist in 1947 when the US Air Force was created. If he transferred after Korea, it would have been to the USAF and he would have then worn AF blue uniforms.

After transfer to the USAF, he certainly could have been a MP, though in the Air Force, they were called AP's for Air Police.

Tom

 

[Shawn F.]

I will have to call and talk to him about it to get the story straight. In Korea he was in 1st Cavalry (Army), I do know this. After that he said he was in AF but that was years later I believe. As for the uniform he gave me it's an Army Air Corps jacket and shirt. Why he gave it to me I am not sure now. Maybe I misunderstood what he told me? [huh]
I guess either way whether or not it was his, I'd like to complete this uniform with the correct pins to match the AAF patch currently on it with the correct pants, tie, hat, etc.
Thanks a lot for the info guys, this is the first time I have begun to learn about these uniforms and when and how they changed from WWII and on.

 

[MPicciotto]

I MAY BE TOTALLY TALKING THROUGH MY HAT BUT...

The jacket you show is WWII. By Korea, the Army was almost exclusively wearing waist-length Eisenhower jackets. For that you would need a 1st Cavalry patch for the left shoulder and "US" and Infantry collar disks for the collar. For Korea, the shirt, tie, trousers, belt, overseas cap and shoes would be the same as WWII.

The Army Air Forces (AAF) ceased to exist in 1947 when the US Air Force was created. If he transferred after Korea, it would have been to the USAF and he would have then worn AF blue uniforms.

After transfer to the USAF, he certainly could have been a MP, though in the Air Force, they were called AP's for Air Police.

Tom

Yeah I'm with Tom on this one. I've seen some cases, usually high ranking officers though, of the AAF uniform being carried over into the AF years. But those were people already in the AAF when the transition occurred. The change to blue didn't happen over night but it did happen very rapidly, especially with dress uniforms. Was his service by chance the other way round? During WW2 was he in th AAF? Then the tunic he gaave you might be the one he had upon discharge. My grandfather's is that way. He was in India, and I have photos of him with a British bush jacket. But his only remaining uniform is a brown wool tunic. No "Suntans" or "Tropicals" remain.

Matt

Matt

 

[1961MJS]

...Then the tunic he gaave you might be the one he had upon discharge. My grandfather's is that way. He was in India, and I have photos of him with a British bush jacket. But his only remaining uniform is a brown wool tunic. No "Suntans" or "Tropicals" remain.

Matt

Hi

That's what my Dad has left. He has his service jacket, two olive drab wool shirts, his fatigue jacket and his boots. He said he wore the olive pants out by the 1950's, and his leather flight jacket rotted away (South Pacific). I assume that the Khaki's were also worn out.

Later

 

[Shawn F.]

He was not in WWII. He was in the Army in Korean War in 1st Cavalry. After the war he joined the Air Force. He gave me this uniform and found out now that it's NOT his uniform he wore himself. He bought it and gave it to me and said it's similar to what he wore in the Korean War when he was in the Army (minus the 1st Cavalry patches).

 

[Sgt Brown]

Just a suggestion, but I would say throw together what you can for Halloween and wear it.

THEN...

Get all the info you can from Grandpa and begin the slow process of putting together a correct uniform for his 1st Cav days. (Take Notes!) It will take time, but do it right. Then you can start on a post-Korea USAF uniform.

Have no fear, the gang here will be glad to talk you through the process. And in the end you will have something that will make Grandpa grin - if not bring a tear to his eye.

Tom

 

[Shawn F.]

Well I have been keeping an eye on Ebay lately and lost a bid and the others I just cant find what I need. Does anyone here have anything to help me complete my uniform enough to wear for Halloween? Pants in size 30X32, tie, belt and correct hat. As for size of hat I do not know. My head is about 22" in diameter I believe. Pretty much looking for WWII Enlisted uniform (Army/Army Air Corps).
Thanks for any info guys! I am hoping I get this thing together before the 30th!

 

[RadioWave]

Hey, I hope it's not too late to hop aboard this thread. Out of pure luck, I happened to stumble upon an AAC officer's jacket that fit me like a glove...issue date appears to have been 1952 and I have yet to identify the unit insignia on the shoulder. I'm not sure how I want to go about completing the ensemble. WWIIimpressions seems great, but the prices are somewhat daunting; it's been a toss-up between that and e-bay. I think I'd want to form the winter(?) uniform, which I believe entails the dark dress-shirt and trousers. Suggestions?

 

[MissMittens]

The US Army used the same style dress uniform well through the 50's, so he's technically correct. During the late 40's, about 1947, the US Army Air Forces were split off into the US Army and the US Air Force. In about 1949 the uniforms used by the US Air Force were changed to blue to match their European counterparts. During the changeover, the style of the jackets changed also, as well as the color, and I have seen genuine 49 pattern tunics died OD as well as older 44 patterns died blue that date from the changeover period.

Your grandfather is correct in that the WWII USAAF dress uniform (Class A's) were the same as the US Army in the 1950's and the Korean Conflict.

 

[Sgt Brown]

Shawn,

Halloween is long over and we haven't heard anything from you. What is the current status of your quest?

Tom

 

[Shawn F.]

BUMP! I never got any notifications on this anymore so sorry for no follow up post guys! I am in the same boat though this year for Halloween! I just now won an Ebay auction for a Class A Army 3rd AAF Air Crew uniform tunic. http://www.ebay.com/itm/30060529790...m1438.l2649&autorefresh=true&autorefresh=true
Now I need the pants, under shirt, tie, belt and hat but not sure what the proper colors are that I need... Do I need the "pinks" or OD green pants? Also how about the under shirt, etc? I want to complete a Class A uniform and wear it for Halloween but want it to be as accurate as possible in this short amount of time I have to put it together...
Any information and pictures on a complete accurate uniform for AAF would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Shawn F.]

By the way I believe this tunic I bought is an Enlisted soldiers one and NOT an Officers... Also if anyone has the correct enlisted class A pants, tie, and hat that they would be interested in selling, please let me know!
I am not sure if there is a difference between the pants worn with the Ike jacket and the Class A Tunic either. I am now wishing I bought another Ike Jacket (since mine do not fit me that I currently own) and wear that instead of this Tunic but oh well...

 

[PaidInFull24]

Shawn,

A very nice find on Ebay! And it appears to be in great shape! I have just started collecting WWII uniforms myself in the past year and it is so much fun! I have an original WWII dated 11th Airborne Paratrooper's class A coat and pants that I bought from a WWII paratroopers wife that I have enjoyed dressing up a little bit. I added a WWII era sterling Combat Infantry Badge and also a Presidential Unit Citation (known as the distinguished unit citation during WWII). It's a very nice looking piece with minimal mothing.

In regards to Korea vs. WWII, I recently went to an estate sale of a veteran who had served in the USAAC (later USAF) in both WWII and Korea and he had simply "updated" some of his uniforms to reflect the change in times. He had added a zipper into a jacket that was dated 1942 and had a swath of fabric tailored over where the buttons would have been. It was very interesting. He was a medical officer, so all of his uniforms were tailor-made. Also, some of his later uniforms were no longer made of 100% wool and were more wool blend. I'm definintely no expert but I've seen many Korean war uniforms with zippers in them while WWII uniforms were traditionally button-up.

The world of uniform collecting is a big one! But there is alot of very valuable, sentimental information along the way. Our WWII vets are dying every day and we owe it to them to learn about their stories and the great events of their time that allow us to be free today. I am also so very grateful to the men and women today who serve to keep us free. Thank you to all of you...

I would probably say that the most difficult piece to find to complete your ensemble is going to be the cap. The traditional crusher caps usually fetch a fine price in antique stores, ebay, etc (at least the ones I've seen, including enlisted caps). Another poster on this thread might have a better idea as to where you might be able to find one. I've also been searching for one as I would like to add it to my collection. i recently purchased a wool visor cap that I thought to be WWII and upon further research found it to be Vietnam-era. With those kinds of mistakes you definitely learn! If you're going to build a quality uniform, I wouldn't suggest wearing it to a Halloween party, but that's just because I'm partial to preserving the uniform. Otherwise, wear it to the party and then put it up and take care of it. All the best as you search for more pieces to complete the puzzle! Have fun!

Regards,
Nick

 

[Shawn F.]

How about a garrison cap? Would that still be correct or no? Also how can I tell the difference between an Enlisted soldiers hat and an Officers?
Also do I need the OD green pants and under shirt and tie or what color combo is needed there?

Thanks again!

 

[PaidInFull24]

Hey Shawn,

Here is a good website to visit that talks about caps: http://acmedepot.com/keepemflying/crusher.shtml
It might help you differentiate. The most notable difference is the size and style of the insignia on the cap. An officer's cap had a large gold eagle that was very ornate while an enlisted man's insignia was much smaller and not as flashy. This website talks about the difference between enlisted vs. officer.

As to the type of pants and shirt to wear, I would have to do some research of my own as I have not tried to complete and uniform like that. My style of research is to research it when I have the uniform in front of me at the antique store/garage sale/etc and find out what regulation was for that time period. Sorry I can't be of more help, as I said, I'm a new collector myself. I know that there are lots of people on this forum who will be able to help both of us though!

Regards,
Nick