Thought I'd show my modest ATC - Contract Division items.  The Contract Division was composed of civilian airlines, contracted with the US Gov't to fly supplies and sometimes personnel.  Contracts were let out to airlines such as Pan-Am, TWA, Nortwest, Consolidated (their airline division was called Comsairway) and others.  The pilots and crew were required to wear a military style uniform, not their airline uniforms,  They also had their own distinct insignia different from the USAAF ATC.  In my photo the OD service jacket is identified to a pilot with TWA, the A-2 style jacket is id'd to a gentleman from Consairway and the garrison cap to a gentleman from Pan-Am.  The two khaki service jackets are not named.  The other two photos are a couple of pretty unique items.  A service cap with bullion insignia and an original Consairway jacket patch on the A-2 style leather flight jacket.  Thanks for looking.

1 hour ago, Scarecrow said:

Thought I'd show my modest ATC - Contract Division items.  The Contract Division was composed of civilian airlines, contracted with the US Gov't to fly supplies and sometimes personnel.  Contracts were let out to airlines such as Pan-Am, TWA, Nortwest, Consolidated (their airline division was called Comsairway) and others.  The pilots and crew were required to wear a military style uniform, not their airline uniforms,  They also had their own distinct insignia different from the USAAF ATC.  In my photo the OD service jacket is identified to a pilot with TWA, the A-2 style jacket is id'd to a gentleman from Consairway and the garrison cap to a gentleman from Pan-Am.  The two khaki service jackets are not named.  The other two photos are a couple of pretty unique items.  A service cap with bullion insignia and an original Consairway jacket patch on the A-2 style leather flight jacket.  Thanks for looking.

 

Those uniforms, hats, insignia and patches are so cool!  Thanks for showing us those.  I love your collection of ATC items.

Boy, when you guys specialize, you really specialize!

Great stuff for sure! Glad to see others still interested in the WWII stuff!

Dave

Azanation, Dave,

 

Thank you both for your kind words.

What a fine collection you have. This long-unidentified insignia in my collection posted years ago as "unknown" now has an identification. I wonder if this patch, slightly different from yours as it does not contain the word RUSH, was used by all Contract Division units or if they, too, varied by squadron.

 

Embroidered on twill.

 

2 hours ago, walika said:

What a fine collection you have. This long-unidentified insignia in my collection posted years ago as "unknown" now has an identification. I wonder if this patch, slightly different from yours as it does not contain the word RUSH, was used by all Contract Division units or if they, too, varied by squadron.

 

Embroidered on twill.

 

Hi Walika,

Nice patch!  Glad you were now able to identify it.  As far as I know this patch was unique to Consairway and not any other of the contract airlines.  I'm sure these were probably made by several makers and probably just an error in not putting the "Rush" on it.

Forget to add another of the cap badges.  Consolidated and Vultee merged in March 1943, so this cap badge is from after that date.

 

Excellent topic, thanks for showing us your ATC items.

 

Here's another ATC topic on the forum -->> WW2 Army Air Transport Command Civilian Hat badge and collar device

Is the jacket an ANJ-3?

 

Outstanding collection 

3 hours ago, phantomfixer said:

Is the jacket an ANJ-3?

 

Outstanding collection 

Thanks Phantomfixer.  No the jacket is a private purchase A-2 style one.

Great collection, Scarecrow, thanks for sharing!  Curious about the square/rectangle collar insignia on the tunic on the left in your opening photo. Any chance of a close-up on one of those?

On 11/27/2025 at 11:33 AM, Scott C. said:

Great collection, Scarecrow, thanks for sharing!  Curious about the square/rectangle collar insignia on the tunic on the left in your opening photo. Any chance of a close-up on one of those?

Hi Scott,

My apologies for my delayed response.  Attached is a photo of the pins you asked about.  Whether or not these pins were intended to be used as DI's, I'm not sure.  They were on the jacket when acquired so I have left them there.  I do believe though that they are war time as after the war I believe the airlines name changed to Convair. (Not Conair like in the Nicholas Cage movie 😀)

Thanks, Scarecrow - I always wondered what those CONSAIR pins were for!  And this allows me another opportunity to say what an amazing grouping you shared. 

On 11/26/2025 at 11:40 AM, walika said:

What a fine collection you have. This long-unidentified insignia in my collection posted years ago as "unknown" now has an identification. I wonder if this patch, slightly different from yours as it does not contain the word RUSH, was used by all Contract Division units or if they, too, varied by squadron.

 

Embroidered on twill.

 

Hi Walika, Just a little further info on your patch.  Attached is a photo of the cover of a book that I have on the history of Consairway and the patch shows the word "RUSH".  I firmly believe that this patch was unique to Consairway, to add to that belief the characterized version of the aircraft with the Eagle head on the patch is a twin tail.  Consair way flew C-87's which is the transport version of the B-24 and of course Consolidated manufactured the B-24/C-87. The word "RUSH" is separately embroidered on the patch so I think your patch just didn't have that word put on, in error.  Happy Holidays to you and your family! Paul (aka Scarecrow)   

Thanks for this information, Paul. Interesting stuff. Happy Holidays to you and yours.  Rick 

On 11/26/2025 at 1:29 PM, Scarecrow said:

Forget to add another of the cap badges.  Consolidated and Vultee merged in March 1943, so this cap badge is from after that date.

 

This badge is from the security guard's hat.

 

Several of the Consairway pilots wore different hat badges. From ATC, to standard US Eagle , to this one. 

8 hours ago, Plant#4 said:

This badge is from the security guard's hat.

 

Hi Plant#4.

Thank you for the Id on the cap badge.  Much appreciated.  That's what makes this a great Forum, the willingness to share info.

Paul (aka Scarecrow)