WPG B-1 Hat VS. MOS B-1 Hat

[Dumpster Diver]

Hi,

I'm comparing the Type B-1 Flight hats available through These two sites (WPG What price glory, and MOS Mash online store)

Any thoughts?

The WPG B-1 hat seems to be cheaper, but not sure on how the quality compares to the Mash online version which is more expensive but looks like it might be superior quality.

There isn't a very detailed photo on the WPG page so it's hard to get a look at the quality of the details compared to the MOS webpage which gives a little information and some closeup photos showing the small details.

Are these two items similar in any way? From what I can tell they might actually even be the same thing? This is why I'm asking.

I'd really have to order both to truly compare the two, but was wondering if anyone here might be able to give me any insight or details about these WWII Type Flight hats.

Which do you prefer, and why? etc.

Thank you!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I’m not even sure what language you’re speaking.
Maybe some photos would help?

 

[Dumpster Diver]

These are the two B-1 Repro hats I'm asking for reviews on, Just for fun, I won't tell you which one is the WPG reproduction and which one is the MASH online Version.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I went and ordered the Mash online Version of this cap from Japan, I am more than impressed, it's a 1:1 copy of an original B-1 Type flight cap. As good, if not..dare I even say...Better...than an original WWII maker. They got it right, I haven't said that about a reproduction garment since I ordered a B-2 Eastman Flight cap over 20 years ago.

It's almost "too" good.

The brim is not as stiff as an original bakelite brim but I have seen different versions of the B-1 Hat-cap with the brim curved out and peaked up so presumably designs varied with production, some examples of the B-1 I have are "Theatre made" using a Dress shirt or Khaki shirt.

I'll order the WPG version maybe next time and we'll do some comparing of several different versions of this cap with photos...an original, and the WPG and Mash version, up against some of my own homemade type B-1 Flight caps.

 

[Edward]

I went and ordered the Mash online Version of this cap from Japan, I am more than impressed, it's a 1:1 copy of an original B-1 Type flight cap. As good, if not..dare I even say...Better...than an original WWII maker.

That's the key. If you want something that's closest in spirit and quality to the wartime original, I'd go with a lower-priced reproduction every time, especially if they are 'accurate' (allowing for the vagaries of the variances across rushed wartime production; let's not forget that all contract variations of the A2, of which there were many, were made to the same government specification - and that's not to go into variations across a contract....). On the other hand, if you want the "best" by today's quality standards, that might well be the Japanese option - though bearing in mind the Law of Diminishing Returns.

I'd be interested to see a side by side comparison, considering all variables including price difference.