I tried to buy a Chip Bag last year at Snaiths Cranwell, but at £46 for one that was not padded I decided to give it a miss - especially as the assistant declared that only Air Rank Officers' side hats were padded.
They've obviously had a few more enquiries along the same lines, because the latest ones are padded - apparently. Anyway, I popped in there today and the very latest batch they have received from the manufacturer have been made to the older spec - red lining, not padded. Also, the badge is fastened inside the hat (backing plate and pins not hidden within the lining). When I suggested to the nice lady that this was surely a good thing so that the badge could more easily be removed for washing, she went a funny colour and insisted the hats should only ever be dry-cleaned! Have you ever heard of such a thing?
Now for the imprtant bit: They are selling them off for £20 a piece. Needless to say, at less than half-price I had one and told the chaps back at the secret Hawk base on the A15 to get their orders in quick. They had about 40 left - mainly 58 and 59 that I saw, but there may have been others.
Mods - sorry about the advertising, I am nothing to do with the company; just thought I'd share the info before the VR(T) guys get them all. Won't be the least bit offended if you bin the post.
STH
PS. I am sure that WOs in the late 80s were wearing forage caps with crowns and eagles on them (ie same as officers). However, they now seem to wear them with WO beret badges (or something very similar). Is my memory going or can anyone else out there recall similar??
Last edited by SirToppamHat; 27th Sep 2006 at 21:12.
Reason: Postscript Question