{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-named-officer-s-crush-visor-cap-with-travel-journal-under-visor-flighter-by-bancroft","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Named Officer’s Crush Visor Cap with “Travel Journal” Under Visor - FLIGHTER by BANCROFT","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-kind. One of the most iconic pieces of headgear to come out of WWII was the U.S. Crusher Cap, or “Fifty Mission Cap”. This visor cap, in winter OD green issue color, was made by Bancroft, which is well marked in the crown and sweatband. The cap is roughly size 6 ⅞. The outward appearance is worn and faded from honest use, and decades of storage wear. It retains the original iconic \"crush\" shape. The sweatband is embossed in gold “\u003cstrong\u003eFLIGHTER by BANCROFT\u003c\/strong\u003e\" with patent number and “\u003cstrong\u003eCurve Control\u003c\/strong\u003e”. In addition, the Bancroft label is visible underneath the now stiffened weatherproof lining in the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visor of the hat reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLT. THOMAS L. MAHER JR.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eO-2082287\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC.D. - B2C.T.D. - N.A.A.C. - M.F.A.A.F. - 67 A.A.F.F.T.D. - N.A.A.F. - M.F. - T.F. - \/\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS.A.A.A.F. - L.A.A.F.-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese acronyms refer to a myriad of places Maher traveled during his service, with 67 A.A.F.F.T.D. being for the training place of the 67th Army Air Forces Training Detachment Womens Army Service Pilot (WASP).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visor retains its original sweatband, under which is a small tag with Maher’s initials and number, \u003cstrong\u003eT.L.M. O-2082287\u003c\/strong\u003e. The size, 8, is stamped on the interior crown. The plastic cover for the Bancroft logo is very worn but the logo is still visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the classic \"bomber pilot\" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army\/AAF officer dress cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike, but pilots gave this cap their own unique twist. Normally, this cap had stiffeners -- a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape. These kept the cap in its proper, regulation military shape and angle. However, since bomber pilots wore headsets over their caps during flights, they would remove the wire stiffener to make headset wear more comfortable, causing the sides of the caps to become crushed. Eventually, the caps retained their floppy \"crushed\" look, giving the pilot who wore it the look of a seasoned veteran.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crusher cap identified its wearer as an experienced pilot, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crusher cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic named crusher cap with tons of research potential. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41959055523909,"sku":"ONJR24ASJ018","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24ASJ018__03.jpg?v=1728183045","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-named-officer-s-crush-visor-cap-with-travel-journal-under-visor-flighter-by-bancroft","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}