CAP 39-1 Flightsuit (USAF style) questions

[Storm Chaser]

As detailed as 39-1 is in some ways, it seems a bit vague in others (or I'm just having a hard time finding the answer).  I've inherited a USAF style flightsuit from another unit and have run into a couple things (which Google has found me conflicting information on) while getting it in order.

1) 8.2.2.4 lists the left sleeve requirement for the flag.  However, it does not state if the velcro is supposed to be flag shaped (my thought is that it probably should be) or if the flag can be attached to patch shaped velcro (which is what this particular flight suit has now).

Here's your answer:

8.2.4.6.5. Sleeve Patches. Sleeve patches may be attached using velcro fastener or sewn directly to the FDU. If hook a loop is used, a 3 1⁄2 x 3 1⁄2 inch square piece of OD green loop tape will be sewn to each sleeve using OD green thread.

2) 8.2.3.2 - Rank insignia.  It states that the bottom edge of the insignia should be 0.5" from the shoulder seam.  However, I've not been able to determine which edge of the insignia is the "bottom" (specific case here is 2d Lt)...  Any pictures of that done the right way?

The longer side of the 2d Lt bar is the bottom.

[Briank]

Figure 8.2.3 shown Captain bars in the correct orientation. 2nd and 1st Lt are similarly oriented.  See also figure A5-2.

Huh, those appear to be in conflict.  8.2.3 Captain bars would have the long edge towards the seam where as A5-2 the bottom is the short edge (which would be 90 degrees rotation from the Captain bars as shown).

[Briank]

I know what 39-1 says.  39-1 does not describe the specific flight suit that is in this person's possession. There are non-Nomex coveralls out there in the wild. They are not authorized.  I just trashed a bunch of cheap non-Nomex AF-style FDU's that had been in use by a CAP squadron for years.

Excellent point.  I'd not considered that there could be counterfeit FDUs floating around.  I don't know the full history on this one, so it's certainly in doubt until confirmed.  In inherited it from a friend at another unit who found that it didn't fit well.  It came out of his unit's spares, which who knows how they got originally!

I'm not a materials specialist, how can I tell if it's nomex?  The color and design all appear to be spot on from what I gather so far.  It's a fairly thin fabric though, which makes me doubt the authenticity.  The tag is heavily worn(yet the rest of the suit itself is in good shape).  All that's left readable on it is "14R" (size I presume?), "coverall", "Warning", "do not bleach, starch, or dry clean", and "do not remove this tag".

[Brad]

Figure 8.2.3 shown Captain bars in the correct orientation. 2nd and 1st Lt are similarly oriented.  See also figure A5-2.

Huh, those appear to be in conflict.  8.2.3 Captain bars would have the long edge towards the seam where as A5-2 the bottom is the short edge (which would be 90 degrees rotation from the Captain bars as shown).

Captain and Lt bars are worn with the long edge towards the sides:



I'm moreso surprised to recently discover I can wear the Communications patch on the flightsuit on the right shoulder! May have to make that swap-out. 

[Damron]

Note: if you go to the Rothco website and buy one of their sixty buck flight suit specials, you will get the cotton/poly cheapo version of the 27/P, not an actual 27/P, but it looks very much the same as the issue suit. These are not NOMEX, and do not meet reqs.

Just for clarification, the blue CFDU can be cotton/poly blend, it doesn't have to be Nomex.   I'm surprised they didn't make Nomex optional on the AF-style FDU when they made it optional on the CFDU.

Nice post! 

[raivo]

I'm not a materials specialist, how can I tell if it's nomex?

Try setting it on fire and see what happens.

The color and design all appear to be spot on from what I gather so far.  It's a fairly thin fabric though, which makes me doubt the authenticity.  The tag is heavily worn(yet the rest of the suit itself is in good shape).  All that's left readable on it is "14R" (size I presume?), "coverall", "Warning", "do not bleach, starch, or dry clean", and "do not remove this tag".

That sounds approximately correct, based on the labels on the flightsuits in my closet. Flightsuits will "thin out" after a long period of use (there's a noticeable difference between the two I wore for three years, and the one I wore for one year) so if they're that old, I wouldn't read too much into the fabric.

http://imgur.com/7dWG5NR

http://imgur.com/WlEukMm

(If you're wondering why that first picture looks discolored, it's because my deputy painted all over the back of the flightsuit on my last alert, as is tradition.)

[Spam]

(If you're wondering why that first picture looks discolored, it's because my deputy painted all over the back of the flightsuit on my last alert, as is tradition.)

Uniform sabotage is a fun tradition (as long as guys pony up for reparations)! One of my favorite memories of being on a carrier was spending a sunny afternoon on the LSO platform on USS Stennis during a Carquals period, laughing while guys took turns writing "MEMBER - NAMBLA" one letter at a time on the back of the LSO's float coat (without his knowledge, while he was focused on landing jets).

Cheers
Spam

[Luis R. Ramos]

I'll b ite. What does NAMBLA mean?

[RogueLeader]

I'll b ite. What does NAMBLA mean?

North American Man/Boy Love Association

[raivo]

North American Marlon Brando Look-Alikes

(source: South Park)