Prince William’s hat
Did not his grandmother say "wear the fox hat" to his father, on his visiting RAF Laarbruch?
I had been about to remark on it myself. 1960 Cranwell that would have been regarded as a "bashed" hat. Achieved by dipping it in a fire bucket, and stuffing it in the top of a flying boot. The old d'Artagnan style boot.. The few brave/rash souls who did, soon found themselves told to buy a new one. Apart from Dad, who is going to tell him?
Sadly, the real BATES hat is no more. If somebody could acquire the pattern etc, they could make a fortune.
Now the RAF issues just about everything from 'stores'. I used to get all my uniform fro Al Wai Lam in Hong Kong - now long gone of course!!
Old Duffer
Now the RAF issues just about everything from 'stores'. I used to get all my uniform fro Al Wai Lam in Hong Kong - now long gone of course!!
Old Duffer
"1960 Cranwell that would have been regarded as a "bashed" hat."
I hate to tell you but it's now 2023.................. that's further away from 1960 Cranwell than the Battle of Omdurman
I hate to tell you but it's now 2023.................. that's further away from 1960 Cranwell than the Battle of Omdurman
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I hate to tell you but it's now 2023.................. that's further away from 1960 Cranwell than the Battle of Omdurman
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that's further away from 1960 Cranwell than the Battle of Omdurman
Since you ask...............
That hat looks like it has been curled up or had elastic bands round it!
I had a couple of occasions in my career being pulled up about my hat. First was fresh out of IOT when a WO was stood behind me in stores and noticed I was holding my new hat in a manner to pull the sides down (I was). Second was when I was a first/second tourist trying to attain a hat like the old spec aircrew types that was so battered there was no solid structure left to the thing. My CO made me buy a new hat. Once I had bought the new hat, I did realise it wasn't cool to have a battered looking uniform.
I had a couple of occasions in my career being pulled up about my hat. First was fresh out of IOT when a WO was stood behind me in stores and noticed I was holding my new hat in a manner to pull the sides down (I was). Second was when I was a first/second tourist trying to attain a hat like the old spec aircrew types that was so battered there was no solid structure left to the thing. My CO made me buy a new hat. Once I had bought the new hat, I did realise it wasn't cool to have a battered looking uniform.
Alright you old piano torchers - illuminate an ignoramus of RAF matters - what's wrong with it?
Looks smart?
It lacks that essential flat-topped, first-day-on the-job elegance of the 'newbie' London bus conductor.
The alternative to the 'bashed' hat process was upwards of a thousand hours with headphones worn over the top !
Looks smart?
It lacks that essential flat-topped, first-day-on the-job elegance of the 'newbie' London bus conductor.
The alternative to the 'bashed' hat process was upwards of a thousand hours with headphones worn over the top !
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A bit late in the day to buy a replacement.
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THIS is a hat!
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I believe my father achieved the required look to his SD hat by wearing his headphones over his hat while flying Catalinas for extended periods. I just had two, one for every day and one for best. Still managed to get through several hats even so, as the ready use hat got too disreputable and the Sunday hat got downgraded and replaced,
Oh the dreaded "saddle" - verboten!
Jack Currie in 'Lancaster Target', had the misfortune of having his service dress cap removed from the entrance hall of the sergeants mess. It had taken him nearly two years to crumple it into a comfortable ravaged condition ( turning a neutral colour in the process) , it fitted his head like a glove. He was most indignant.
A battered 'Ops cap' was most prized by operational crew, signifying long service, even if that wasn't the case.
A battered 'Ops cap' was most prized by operational crew, signifying long service, even if that wasn't the case.