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RAF Eagle Squadron Uniform


censlenov
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As part of a recent auction lot i managed to get this RAF uniform. The Pilot was one of 244 Americans to fly in the Eagle squadrons. The hat is named to a pilot officer Care. Through some prelim research I've learned a Pilot Officer Raymond C "Bud" Care flew with 71 squadron RAF from 1941-43 in 43 he was transferred to the USAAF where he went on to earn 6 kills and one probable. In 1944 he was brought down by flak and spent the remainder of the war as a POW.

 

First up the cap. I apologize for the quality of the pics new camera + bad lighting = crappy pics

 

Cheers

Chris

 

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The Jacket. The patches are period English produced pieces. The interior lining is blue with sleeves lined with a material matching the trouser lining. This is quite an interesting piece and i doubt many are still around.

 

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Cheers

Chris

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Hey Chris;

Awesome Eagle Squadron item...looking forward to seeing it in person.

Thanks for sharing on the forum.

Cheers

Wes

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Top-notch uniform. I like the way he "Americanized" his visor hat! :thumbsup:

 

Gentlemen thanks for the comments. It's a great piece and i was surprised it was in the lotas the poor lot description had no indication of it being there. Love the "Americanized" comment and very true!! It's only a temporary addition to the collection as I have limited room and do not collect RAF/USAAF items. Hmmmm i think i know someone who does though :)

 

Cheers

Chris

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Gentlemen thanks for the comments. It's a great piece and i was surprised it was in the lotas the poor lot description had no indication of it being there. Love the "Americanized" comment and very true!! It's only a temporary addition to the collection as I have limited room and do not collect RAF/USAAF items. Hmmmm i think i know someone who does though :)

 

Cheers

Chris

 

No self-respecting RAF officer would remove the stiffener from his visor hat! Not done, old boy! :lol:

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Outstanding! You won't find those everyday. Thanks for sharing!

 

Medicine Hat isn't that far from my RAF DFC recipiant's home town of Bow Island!

 

-Ski

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Croix de Guerre

U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006

about Raymond C Care Name: Raymond C Care

Service Info.: COL US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II, KOREA

Birth Date: 30 Mar 1918

Death Date: 3 Apr 1987

Service Start Date: 23 Sep 1942

Interment Date: 7 Apr 1987

Cemetery: Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery

Cemetery Address: 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio, TX 78209

Buried At: Section 8 Site 1575

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Croix de Guerre

1930 United States Federal Census about Raymond C Care

Name: Raymond C Care

Gender: Male

Birth Year: abt 1918

Birthplace: Indiana

Race: White

Home in 1930: Pleasant, Steuben, Indiana

Marital Status: Single

Relation to Head of House: Son

Father's Name: Charles F Care

Father's Birthplace: Virginia

Mother's Name: Celia P Care

Mother's Birthplace: Indiana

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I found some interesting links about Care when i was trolling the net last night

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...re-28july43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...re-26june43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...are-16aug43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...are-21feb44.jpg

 

His Aug 16th engagement is really impressive.

 

Cheers

Chris

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I found some interesting links about Care when i was trolling the net last night

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...re-28july43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...re-26june43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...are-16aug43.jpg

 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-4...are-21feb44.jpg

 

His Aug 16th engagement is really impressive.

 

Cheers

Chris

 

 

Those after action reports are great aren't they! I forgot to let you know they were out there. I have a grouping to a guy that flew with Care and was a ace as well. I had found these same reports. They are really great to read!

JD

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Whilst browsing the forum looking for other Eagle Squadron items i came across another thread with a jacket purported to be to a DSO DFC winner. The jacket turned out to be duff but there was a litle piece of miss information in the thread. In determining authenticity someone had stated that the Eagles should be mirrored so when sewn on both eagles should be facng to the center of the chest.

 

This alarmed me a little as my jacket most certainly does NOT have "mirrored eagles" a quick search has showed that eagles should be as found on my jacket and that a person should be alarmed if infact they ARE mirrored please see the attached period photos

 

Cheers

Chris

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Reade Tilley's uniform in the National Airforce museum also appears to have the same patches as above.

 

Cheers

Chris

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