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Post-WWII 1950's & 1960's US Air Force uniform photos


Bob Hudson
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Another great picture. You no doubt saw the one of my old man wearing his USSTAF patch in 1951 while stationed at Biggs Field, TX. I wonder what is the latest dated photo we could find with an airman still wearing the patch. Wasn't it 1955 when they "cleaned" the blue uniform of patches, hash marks? Wonder if anyone managed to hang on to his USSTAF insignia 10 years after the war?!

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Those khaki suits were sharp looking.

 

Actually the class "A" USAF Summer Service Dress uniform was called the Silver Tans shade 193. They were authorized from 1949 until 1965. After that period the Summer Service Tress was the blue summer/tropical uniform The only "khaki" uniforms were the light weight 1505's. They had replaced the heavier 505 khaki uniform. The Bush Jacket combinations had also been phased out.

 

Take a look at Young's book on Amazon, Into the Blue Uniforms of the USAF 1947- to the Present. Amazon had a sale on them and are out until they get a new shipment.

 

Lance0906

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I forgot to mention that the two officer's in the Silver Tans with Capt Eddie Rickenbacker Are Capt Jame Jabara 15 kill ace in Korea flying F-86's. The other "Officer" is none other that the first USAF Chief of Staff Hoyt Vandenburg.

 

Hope thatt helps someone.

 

Lance0906

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...You no doubt saw the one of my old man wearing his USSTAF patch in 1951 while stationed at Biggs Field, TX...

Yes, here's that picture of astra44's dad again (and link here for the rest of that thread):

post-1963-1301517522.jpg

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...The other "Officer" is none other that the first USAF Chief of Staff Hoyt Vandenburg...[link here to see the referent of this post.]

Gen. Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz was first Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Sept. 1947 - Apr. 1948). Gen. Vandenberg was the second (Apr. 1948 - June 1953).

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Adjutant of 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Photographic) ca. April 1950, while the unit was based at RAF Burtonwood on TDY form its regular station at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Note the "Strategic Air Command" arc over the US Air Force SSI.

 

post-1963-1301528905.jpg

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Col. William E. Basye, C.O. of 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Capt. Louis Cruciana of 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, at a base parade and awards ceremony on November 2, 1949.

 

post-1963-1301533984.jpg

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Two USAF staff sergeants at an NCO club in Garmisch, Germany. Still wearing "wing-and-prop" collar insignia ca. 1950.

 

post-1963-1301797557.jpg

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Okay, who's out of uniform here? Left to right: Army OD Ike jacket; USAF Blue service coat; Army Khaki shirt with Army cap, tie, and belt; and Army Khaki shirt with USAF Blue service cap, tie, and belt; at RAF Burtonwood ca. 1950.

 

post-1963-1301798739.jpg

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  • 1 month later...
DutchInfid3l

Studio photo of SSgt. Francisco Ortiz, Jr. with ETO patch, gunner wings, service stripes and OS bars.

 

scan0004.jpg

 

Official stamped USAF photo, guard mount Sheppard AFB, TX Aug. 1952.

 

All "armed" with angled flashlights, Interesting the different variations of hats; rain cover on one, one wearing a tan garrison, etc.. SSgt. has a SSI and a white chin strap.

 

scan0001.jpg

 

Reverse dated Feb. 15, 1949

 

scan0002-1.jpg

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Studio photo of SSgt. Francisco Ortiz, Jr. with ETO patch, gunner wings, service stripes and OS bars.

 

scan0004.jpg

Another great photo......think he is wearing blues, or khaki?

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Adjutant of 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Photographic) ca. April 1950, while the unit was based at RAF Burtonwood on TDY form its regular station at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Note the "Strategic Air Command" arc over the US Air Force SSI.

 

post-1963-1301528905.jpg

 

 

Nice to see another great color shot from the period. You say around 1950? Looking at his uniform, he could still be in the Army AF. But is the SAC arc USAF era?

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DutchInfid3l
Another great photo......think he is wearing blues, or khaki?

 

Blues.

From the dark tie, the width of the notch in the lapels, double US insignia and the size/color of the service stripes/overseas bars.

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...You say around 1950? Looking at his uniform, he could still be in the Army AF. But is the SAC arc USAF era?

The 1950 dating is stated in the caption with the photo.  That time frame conforms with 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron's official history and several photos in the collection show other officers wearing both Army and Air Force uniforms while at RAF Burtonwood with 72nd SRS in 1950 (see post #172 above for more of the same).  Although the new USAF Blues had been approved for general wear for a year before this picture was made, this Army style uniform remained an authorized option for wear in the USAF until mid-1952. However, you are correct that the officer in this picture would likely be identified as a member of the Army Air Forces if the picture were undated. 

 

The Strategic Air Command arc was approved in May 1946. The USAF directive in effect when this picture was made has this to say about shoulder sleeve insignia: "…Current assignment patch will be worn on the left shoulder and the patch of oversea war assignment may be worn on the right sleeve…The old Headquarters AAF patch will be worn only by major air commands having an arc tab…" (source: Air Force Letter 35-46A, paragraph 6.c. ( 1 ) ( c ), dated July 26, 1949.)

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...Yup, for sure she's a '50...

Thanks, Blue, for confirming my WAG....the trim under the headlights was very distinctive.

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  • 2 weeks later...
DutchInfid3l

As requested, Air Corps Transitional cap device on a khaki service cap with the grommet removed.
Made by Ideal Uniform Cap Co.

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  • 1 month later...
...most of the pictures I find are black and white. I hope you can help. What color shirt, tie, and pants go with the blue-gray ike jacket?

In addition to the info and image already posted by Forum Support there are color period photos of the USAF Ike Jacket being worn posted earlier in this thread (go back to posts #51, #57, and #84).

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  • 3 weeks later...
@ DutchInfid3l : The Air Policeman picture(s) -- really great. Thanks for posting.

 

I agree... that is is a neat photo!

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