{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-officer-flighter-khaki-crush-cap-by-bancroft-wartime-manufacture","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Officer “Flighter” Khaki Crush Cap By Bancroft - Wartime Manufacture","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-kind. This visor cap, in summer Khaki issue color, was made by Bancroft. It is in well-worn but nice condition with the iconic \"crush\" shape. The sweatband is embossed with FLIGHTER by BANCROFT with Visor Pat Pend. and Curve Control. The “Patent Pending” indicates that this is a wartime manufactured cap, not a post-war example. This peaked cap features a gold tone WWII Army Overseas insignia over a leather visor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cap is in good shape, but it is definitely well worn. The leather brim and chin strap are in excellent condition, as is the sweatband. However the celluloid lining is heavily worn and darkened from age. There is a name under the sweatband, but it’s a bit worn. It is possibly \u003cstrong\u003eSebick\u003c\/strong\u003e? Difficult to say.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crush cap identified its wearer as an experienced pro, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crush cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA lovely example of a wartime-manufactured cap with heavy service wear. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42644177027141,"sku":"ONJR25MAMB003","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25MAMB003__03.jpg?v=1744225617","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-officer-flighter-khaki-crush-cap-by-bancroft-wartime-manufacture","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}