dustin Posted August 12, 2017 Share #1 Posted August 12, 2017 Anyone that has interest in uniforms, especially USAAF clothing knows of the Type A-3 mechanics cap. This cap is made of HBT with a domed cover and rigid sun visor or more recognizable in resemblance to the basebal hat. Illustrated is its predecessor, Cap, Mechanics, Type A-2. This hat has some interesting features of an adjustment strap and a removable visor stiffener having some versatility. The over all style is like a popular men's fashion of the era, circa 1930's. I don't know its adoption date but the images are from September 1936, which is probably close to it's actual standardization. The predecessor to it, Type A-1, is describe as having fold down ear flaps. The Mechanics Cap A-2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted August 12, 2017 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted August 12, 2017 this image illsutrates th removable stiffener, the brim is a pocket and locks into oplace by two snaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted August 12, 2017 These are a group of aviation cadets at Randolph Feild, Texas, circa 1940. All the cadets arew earing the Type A-2 mechanics cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted August 12, 2017 A closer look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 12, 2017 Share #6 Posted August 12, 2017 Great post Dustin That has to be a pretty scarce cap to find. Looks a lot like the civilian caps of the era as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted August 13, 2017 Share #7 Posted August 13, 2017 That is one odd looking cap. I don't remember seeing this one before. I have to wonder how and why mechanics needed a specialized cap and how this design was chosen. Thanks for posting it. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmanton Posted August 13, 2017 Share #8 Posted August 13, 2017 I just learned something new Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted August 13, 2017 The armed services had working uniforms, the US Army utilized the blue denim pants, coat, and fatigue cap. These were replaced by HBT garments. The USAAC/USAAF had their own line of clothing for mechanics, even an overall which I think those cadets are wearing designated as the Type B-1. I wouldn't call the caps "specialized". The Type A-1 looked kind of like the more familiar QMC M-1941 HBT cap but with integral fold down ear flaps available in nine different sizes. The cap would keep sweat out of your face, provide some level of protection from the sun,and grease/grime. The ear flaps for wind chill protection. The A-2 may seem "specialized" but is quit simple actually, this hat is more universal one-size-fits-all designed to adjust from 6-7/8 to 7-1/2. For stock, only one stock number is required eliminating procurement/requisitioning procedures. The ear flaps must had been the feature found to be unnecessary. Manufacture of the A-2 was .20 cents cheaper, .51 cents per A-1 and .30 cents per A-2. The hat is clearly modeled after the very popular men's fashion of the era, no doubt about that. Having the removable visor has a purpose, when installed it does afford some level of face protection but then can be removed when wearing of face shields and masks are necessary. Face shields while grinding or welding, respirator systems...what have you. The hat makes sense to me but possibly slightly over engineered. Mechanics head gear was certainly streamlined with the A-3, it was probably found more practical to simply pivot the hat backwards for wearing face gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluenoser352 Posted November 17, 2018 Share #10 Posted November 17, 2018 Having the removable visor has a purpose, when installed it does afford some level of face protection but then can be removed when wearing of face shields and masks are necessary. Face shields while grinding or welding, respirator systems...what have you. Great post. Primarily the removable visor was so the cap could be laundered - the early visor board could not take hot laundering. These were often then lost and never re-inserted, as can be seen in attached pic - the fibre visor is not inserted leaving wavy empty peak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M24 Chaffee Posted November 17, 2018 Share #11 Posted November 17, 2018 I’ve never seen these caps before. Thanks for an interesting thread! Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nack Posted November 17, 2018 Share #12 Posted November 17, 2018 Fascinating. I learned something as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted November 18, 2018 Share #13 Posted November 18, 2018 I heard that Eastman leather will start to reproduced them soon. Interesting item. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted November 18, 2018 Share #14 Posted November 18, 2018 Man that hat is nuts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted November 18, 2018 Share #15 Posted November 18, 2018 Reminds me of the pinky blinders hats from the 20's & 30's Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 19, 2018 Share #16 Posted November 19, 2018 That’s a rare cap Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodlebewi Posted November 20, 2018 Share #17 Posted November 20, 2018 Wow. Never seen one like this before. I want one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted May 17, 2019 Share #18 Posted May 17, 2019 here is a pretty common photo of the Belle's ground grew...with one A2...would like to find one...one day...looks like the AC blew them out early in the war to clear inventory, based on the cadets wearing them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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