Hutchinson Naval Air Station

[disneydave]

From my collection, an envelope imprinted with the combat insignia for the U.S. Naval Air Station located in Hutchinson, Kansas.

 

The design on this cachet was created in the fall of 1942. The image pictures Jiminy Cricket in an airplane that has a trailing anchor - signifying the station trained Naval pilots. The station was originally known as the Hutchinson Naval Reserve Aviation Base. This was later changed to Naval Air Station, Hutchinson.

 

This design first appeared on the cover of the December 24, 1942 issue of the base newsletter. I will post an image of the newsletter at a later date.

 

According to the February 1933 issue of The National Aeronautic Magazine, NRAB's were facilities where Reservists on inactive duty were able to maintain their proficiency as Naval aviators. Men serving in a NRAB squadron attended regular ground and air instruction classes and conducted bomb and gunnery practise yearly. The purpose of the NRAB was to ensure that in time of war, there was a trained group of pilots ready to take-up arms.

 

The envelope in this posting was mailed in September 1944.