Creating a Vintage Uniform

RogueLeader · January 31, 2008, 05:10:30 AM

I was thinking about creating a couple of "vintage" i.e. non-current CAP uniforms as a display. I also know that we are not allowed to mix civilian and military items. As such, I don't know if I could do that project. Ideas?

Major Carrales · January 31, 2008, 05:39:36 AM

http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/

This could be a good place for you to start!!!

CASH172 · January 31, 2008, 05:45:36 AM

Just wait 'til March 1st and you can use a BDU with USCAP on it

, hopefully.

Seriously though, what time periods were you thinking of?

teesquared · January 31, 2008, 05:51:53 AM

You can occasionally find older CAP uniforms on ebay.

RogueLeader · January 31, 2008, 05:54:29 AM

I was thinking OD, and possibly the Pink and Greens. My question is: Can I put CAP insignia on "civilian" clothing- even though it was a uniform at one point in time?

SarDragon · January 31, 2008, 07:36:36 AM

Our wing CP guy wore a vintage uniform for part of the SLS/CLC weekend we had last fall. It was a big hit. Everything was authentic period stuff, part of his excellent collection of CAP memorabilia.

If you're building this thing to display, go for it. If you get it in your size, and wear it properly in specific appropriate situations, go for it. Just make sure it's got all the correct stuff on it for your claimed time frame. I.e., don't mix 1965 ribbons with 50s patches. Check around with some of the older folks in your wing to see if they might have copies of the uni reg and the awards reg.

YMMV.

SJFedor · January 31, 2008, 08:00:22 AM

Quote from: RogueLeader on January 31, 2008, 05:54:29 AM
I was thinking OD, and possibly the Pink and Greens. My question is: Can I put CAP insignia on "civilian" clothing- even though it was a uniform at one point in time?

I worked an airshow in Reading PA one year when I still lived there, their WW2 weekend. One of the displays is a CAP unit from that era, complete with Piper J2 Cubs in the proper paint, CAP pilots in era uniform, etc.

If you're wearing it to meetings, etc, then no. But if there's a purpose, why not?

Timothy · January 31, 2008, 06:42:30 PM

I was planning on doing the same. I have a closet full of WWII uniforms already so I am mainly missing the insignia.

You'd have to either find an orig CAP tunic, or get an orig Army officers tunic and swap out the buttons (if you can find orig CAP buttons). If you were wearing it as a presentation (either public, or at a squadron meeting for a presentation on uniforms) there should not be a problem.

Don't forget that in all cases (assuming WWII CAP) you are dealing with obsolete uniforms and insignia that are not regulated by either CAP or US Army/USAF.