Robswashashore Posted December 8, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 8, 2011 Good morning all! Working on my latest 1/6, which will be a USAAF flight line mechanic. Just wondered if it would be appropriate to put any insignia on the coveralls? Rank chevrons? Stenciled? Sewn? USAAF Roundell patch? Stenciled? Sewn? Could anyone point me to any photos from that era? Thanks to all you uniform experts out there for helping me to get this authentic. Thanks! Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted December 8, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 8, 2011 Jean...I've seen pics of both inked/stencilled stripes and sewn-on ones too. Don't recall ever seeing patches though. Those coveralls got pretty dirty...oil, gas stains etc., and therefore were frequently laundered, making patches impractical really. That said, this forum has taught me to ...never say never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoovieDude Posted December 8, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 8, 2011 Jean, are you good on parts? Need anything for this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted December 8, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 8, 2011 I have a Korean War era set of green Air Force coveralls that have Staff Sgt. stripes sewn on. No other insignia. Hope this helps. Regards, The Wharfmaster In Peace and War. US Merchant Marine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted December 8, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 8, 2011 Jean, here would be what I would think should stand as the distinction as between flight suits and coveralls from that era, assuming that the mechanic would wear his coveralls for wrenching and, if also an air crew member, change to a flight suit when in the air; with the understanding that there were probably more than one version of coveralls and flightsuits - but, these are probably typical to go from. I'm not a uniform expert by any means, but the topic is obviously one of interest to old nostalgic grease monkeys like me The coveralls were illustrated here: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9292681 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted December 8, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 8, 2011 Those are flight suits which usually had printed USAAF insignia on the left sleeve. "Grease monkeys" wore regular army HBT coveralls...just like tankers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted December 8, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 8, 2011 How many were worn post-war by Pops all over the country for painting the clap-boards and picket fence! :w00t: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deros Posted December 9, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 9, 2011 In ww2, stencilled rank was common. Sewn rank was not uncommon Shoulder sleeve unit insignia on Hbt generally and especially coveralls in USAAF use should be regarded as statistically nonexistant (not to say it wasnt EVER done but its not seen in contemporary images) The use by the USAF of sewn enlisted rank on groundcrew hbt in Korea and way beyond when hbt finally became obsolete in the USAF is a common if not universal practice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robswashashore Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted December 9, 2011 Thank you, Gentlemen! I knew I would get the right information here! BTW, any photos of the stencilled rank??? Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robswashashore Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted December 9, 2011 Jean, are you good on parts? Need anything for this one? Hoovie-- I think I've got what I need for this one. I'll post pics when it is complete. Thank you!!!!! Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted December 9, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 9, 2011 Most of the rank insignia on USAAF coveralls that I have seen are crudely painted on. I'm looking through my photos now for examples. This is the first one I found. From LIFE Magazine dated DEC 1, 1941. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted December 9, 2011 Share #12 Posted December 9, 2011 Here is another from a bomber crew in England. LIFE Mag 9/14/42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 9, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 9, 2011 Could anyone point me to any photos from that era? Here you do have the USAAF's coveralls with painted chevrons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunny Posted December 10, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 10, 2011 I've got a pair of HBT coveralls with a large winged prop insignia stenciled on the back. It's buried in the basement somewhere so I can't lay my hands on it right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted December 10, 2011 Share #15 Posted December 10, 2011 Although I can't recall where I saw the photo/s , but I have seen coveralls with the triangle "specialty" patch on the lower right sleeve (cloth sewn on) if I recall correctly it was the Mechanics design with the yellow engine on the blue background . Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted December 10, 2011 Just wondered if it would be appropriate to put any insignia on the coveralls? Rank chevrons? Stenciled? Sewn? The chevrons -- both stenciled and sewn. Painted chevrons I posted above. Here you have classic chevrons and name tape. Remember also about this last element mentioned because name tapes were popular on AAF coveralls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 10, 2011 Share #17 Posted December 10, 2011 The photo published in the USA in April 1944. The chevrons -- classic and sewn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted December 10, 2011 Share #18 Posted December 10, 2011 Here you do have the USAAF's coveralls with painted chevrons. I wonder if the 2nd photo in this set came from a movie since that is Ronald Regan. It may be from one of his training films but it could also be from a general audience release. My guess is it was from a movie since RR is wearing some sort of wings and I don't think he earned any of those in service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 10, 2011 Share #19 Posted December 10, 2011 I wonder if the 2nd photo in this set came from a movie since that is Ronald Regan. It may be from one of his training films but it could also be from a general audience release. My guess is it was from a movie since RR is wearing some sort of wings and I don't think he earned any of those in service. Yes! This RR and scene from "The Rear Gunner" USAAF film of 1943. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 11, 2011 Share #20 Posted December 11, 2011 Sewn chevrons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robswashashore Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share #21 Posted December 11, 2011 Wow, these photos are awesome -- just what I needed. Thanks for helping -- I'll post pics of the finished 1/6 when I am finished. Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted December 11, 2011 Share #22 Posted December 11, 2011 MTO Here you have Algeria 1943 and mixed group of sewn and painted chevrons among bomber mechanics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cco23i Posted January 31, 2014 Share #23 Posted January 31, 2014 There are a ton of photos of the stenciled or painted chevrons and some of the sewn on. It seems a slightly larger amout stenciled or painted and many different variations of the stenciled/painted types. White nametapes with stenciled names AND some names stenciled directly to the coveralls. I have 4 training base "year books" that have the nametapes on the coveralls and mostly over the left breast pocket. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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