Replacement Velcro for Flight Suit

[Eeyore]

So, I've been looking around online and have had no luck with finding replacement olive drab Velcro for the olive drab flight suit.

Anyone here no where to find it?

My Velcro is pretty munched.

Thanks!

[pixelwonk]

I hate to say it, but Vanguard has it.
Also look at the hock

[Al Sayre]

I usually buy it at the MCSS/Shoppette on the local guard base.

[Eeyore]

How about for the Command Shield and the waist band, I haven't been able to find any that I could even cut to that shape.

[SJFedor]

Vanguard, et al, sells a length of velcro, either type that you need, and if memory serves me correctly, it measures about 4 in tall by 1 foot long. Should be more then enough.

Also, doesn't the command patch still come with it's own velcro, albeit black?

[Eeyore]

It comes with the velcro "hook" backing but not with the replacement "loop" velcro that is actually sewn on to the flight suit.

But thanks, for all the help. Looks like I'll be putting in another order to Vanguard 

[SJFedor]

If there's an AAFES store nearby, try there.

Or, you can try a hobby/arts and crafts store. It's a long shot, but they may have what you need.

[SarDragon]

Unforkinately, Vanguard has about the cheapest price for hook and loop fastener. Buying it at a fabric store is expensive, for what you are getting. Also, I don't think I've seen it in the 4" width at those places.

[O-Rex]

Forget olive-drab, "foliage" velcro on a flight suit works very nicely...

[Stonewall]

Being a former Life Supporter (AF speak for dealing with flight/survival gear), OD velcro isn't what's supposed to go on AF flight suits.  It's more of a sage green. 

I just remembered this a week ago when I went to replace the velcro on my flight suit for my new unit's patches with OD velcro.  I noticed (and then remembered) that the issue velcro you get from the Life Support shop is slightly, yet noticeably, a different shade of green.  And if I remember correctly, which I may not, the velcro is made of nomex as is the thread that's used to sew it on.

I know, way too anal retentive.  But that's what life support is all about, attention to detail.  That's why the Air Force throws away tons of gear every day that, to you and me, looks brand new and serviceable, but through close inspection, may cause injury or death if sent to the field.

Using OD velcro is fine for us CAPers, I just suggest cutting the velcro to fit the patches instead of what some people do by cutting squares of velcro so as to change patches.  YMMV, but I'm heading to the life support shop this week for some regulation velcro.

[pixelwonk]

...instead of what some people do by cutting squares of velcro so as to change patches. 

Oh I hate that.
Is it so hard for people to cut out a disk or a shield and replace the giant square?  Gosh!

[SJFedor]

Oh I hate that.
Is it so hard for people to cut out a disk or a shield and replace the giant square?  Gosh!

But alas, let's say, when I'm hard at work sewing my velcro on to the flight suit, I decide that I'm going to affix this patch to it:


Then, 6 months down the road, I have an ADD moment, and decide to rock this patch:


But the base loop velcro is cut in the shape of the first. I think it's more ugly to have some wierd shape that doesn't fit the properly then to just have the square of velcro. YMMV.

[SarDragon]

Well, then, you just change the hook and loop fastener.  Both parts. No problemo. At the price Vanguard charges, you have enough for four or five changes in a 4" x 12" piece, cheap.

OBTW, that stuff does not, TTBOMK, come in Nomex. I did a flame test on some old stuff I took off my flight suits, and it all burned nicely. Plain olde nylon or similar synthetic.

[SJFedor]

Well, then, you just change the hook and loop fastener.  Both parts. No problemo. At the price Vanguard charges, you have enough for four or five changes in a 4" x 12" piece, cheap.

OBTW, that stuff does not, TTBOMK, come in Nomex. I did a flame test on some old stuff I took off my flight suits, and it all burned micely. Plain olde nylon or similar synthetic.

That's A) a lot of work to just change a patch, and B) a quick way to destroy a flight suit. You end up with those little punch holes from where things were previously sewed, not to mention if someone slips up with the seam ripper and cuts a little hole in there.

[SarDragon]

Well, then, you just change the hook and loop fastener.  Both parts. No problemo. At the price Vanguard charges, you have enough for four or five changes in a 4" x 12" piece, cheap.

OBTW, that stuff does not, TTBOMK, come in Nomex. I did a flame test on some old stuff I took off my flight suits, and it all burned micely. Plain olde nylon or similar synthetic.

That's A) a lot of work to just change a patch, and B) a quick way to destroy a flight suit. You end up with those little punch holes from where things were previously sewed, not to mention if someone slips up with the seam ripper and cuts a little hole in there.

A) Yes, it is. That's the price to pay for looking good.

B) If properly sewn in the first place, there shouldn't be significant holes in the fabric. The needle merely moves the fabric fibers aside when going through, and doesn't remove material, unlike a hole punch. The evidence that remains should go away after laundering. Besides, you're going to put another patch in the same location, so most, if not all of the "damage" will be obscured or hidden.

As for using a seam ripper, be careful. I do all my own CAP sewing, and have only made a couple of expensive mistakes. There was significant financial incentive to do it right the first time.

[MIKE]

I would do what the USAF does.  In the last update didn't AFI 36-2903 call for a square of Velcro on the right sleeve of the FDU when it was added to the AFI?

[AlphaSigOU]

I would do what the USAF does.  In the last update didn't AFI 36-2903 call for a square of Velcro on the right sleeve of the FDU when it was added to the AFI?

Yup. Quoth AFI 36-2903:

3.2.2.2. Velcro fasteners should normally be (green/tan) in color with a 2X4 inch rectangular
piece of Velcro on the left breast of the FDU/DFDU for placement of the nametag. Center a Velcro
silhouette of the MAJCOM or equivalent emblem on the right breast of the FDU/DFDU, above
the right breast pocket. Velcro for shoulder patches will be 3 ½ inches square.

My CAP Flight Dress Uniform Guide generally follows parts of AFI 36-2903. Lest we enrage the USAF Aircrew Mafia... 

[pixelwonk]

Well, I won't eat crow just yet but I will say that you've given me some things to consider.

Me, I'm still going to cut out velcro in the shape of the patch.  Navy Blue velcro isn't easy to find, for that matter and black sticking out beyond the patch looks like total...

well it just doesn't look nice.

[MIKE]

I would do what the USAF does.  In the last update didn't AFI 36-2903 call for a square of Velcro on the right sleeve of the FDU when it was added to the AFI?

Yup. Quoth AFI 36-2903:

3.2.2.2. Velcro fasteners should normally be (green/tan) in color with a 2X4 inch rectangular
piece of Velcro on the left breast of the FDU/DFDU for placement of the nametag. Center a Velcro
silhouette of the MAJCOM or equivalent emblem on the right breast of the FDU/DFDU, above
the right breast pocket. Velcro for shoulder patches will be 3 ½ inches square.

My CAP Flight Dress Uniform Guide generally follows parts of AFI 36-2903. Lest we enrage the USAF Aircrew Mafia... 

I could see having the left sleeve pile side Velcro being cut to flag size for CAP, if the flag will remain standard throughout the organization... Whereas it is not so in the AF IIRC.

[CFI_Ed]

So, I've been looking around online and have had no luck with finding replacement olive drab Velcro for the olive drab flight suit.

Anyone here no where to find it?

My Velcro is pretty munched.

Thanks!

www.flightsuits.com  You can order it by the yard, Navy Blue and Sage Green are available.  Just call one of their sales reps and order either hook, loop or both.