Quote from: Eclipse on February 10, 2009, 10:49:00 PM
39-1 has some pics, not the clearest, but gives you the idea...

Good point. I forgot the figures that show spacing. Figures 6-2 and 6-3 on page 100 of 39-1 illustrate spacing for rank insignia better.

They're hard to see, don't show thread color, do they show spacing and sewing technique.

Again, a quick pic posted here of proper installation would be terribly useful.
Thx.

Use a thread color that matches the color of your flight suit. Otherwise you can use a synthetic clear thread.

No biggy. Just make sure you machine sew it on straight cause crooked lines look nasty on the plastic.

Quote from: Vermont Flyer on February 10, 2009, 11:12:26 PM
They're hard to see, don't show thread color, do they show spacing and sewing technique.

Again, a quick pic posted here of proper installation would be terribly useful.
Thx.

A picture is not really going to be any more useful. Look at the figures in 39-1. Everything you need to know is right there. Illustrations such as those are clearer than the pictures.

As for thread, I've seen a thread that looks like a very thin fishing line (but it's actually smaller than fishing line). I don't know where you would get it, but it looks pretty good.

If you're going to machine sew them, use a heavy duty needle, and run it through some wax before sewing (a candle works well).

^Yeah. It is essentially fishing line but very thin.

I believe it's called invisible thread. My aunt had some in her sewing kit.

Not sure why it was ever invented but looks fantastic with the plastic encased rank. Barely visible.

Quote from: SarDragon on February 11, 2009, 07:08:14 AM
If you're going to machine sew them, use a heavy duty needle, and run it through some wax before sewing (a candle works well).

You only used the candle because that's all they had for lighting when you were in the Navy.   

Quote from: stratoflyer on February 11, 2009, 07:08:35 AM
^Yeah. It is essentially fishing line but very thin.

I believe it's called invisible thread. My aunt had some in her sewing kit.

Not sure why it was ever invented but looks fantastic with the plastic encased rank. Barely visible.

It's simply nylon thread, picked some up at walmart so I'm sure any decent sewing shop will have it.

Be careful. There's the monofilament stuff most of you are talking about (usually called invisible thread), and then there's real multistrand nylon thread, like they sew good nylon clothing together with. The monofil stuff is cheaper and easier to find, but just asking for nylon thread at a fabric store might get you the other stuff. BTDT.

This is a rather long thread and I only briefly scanned the responses and didn't see what I was hoping to find... with that said:

I called the Hock Shop this afternoon looking to order plastic encased insignia which they have not stocked for a while. They noted that the 2009 Winter National Board meeting (going on February 27-28) was going to take up this issue as CAP is the only organization that is currently generating a need for this item since the U.S. Air Force has adopted other grade insignia. Apparently, rumor has it that the supplier is no longer making plastic encased insignia.

Could anyone confirm/deny this?

How would word of a change be promulgated?

Quote from: ascorbate on February 27, 2009, 06:51:15 PM
Could anyone confirm/deny this?

How would word of a change be promulgated?

There was a shortage/supplier issue.  Vanguard, being the official supplier of CAP uniform items, has plastic encased insignia in stock.  They have found a supplier for the materials and there is no shortage any longer.

Word of a change would be sent through an interim change letter and then incorporated into the 39-1 (<-HA HA).

Just read the National Board results. Looks like Plastic Encased insignia is here to stay. 

A little off topic but has anyone heard if a cloth nametape can be now be used on the blue flight suit? If not, can it be approved without going through the Air Force? The leather one I have from Vanguard doesn't even have the type aligned properly. As many of you I can get a quality cloth name patch locally for a lot less than the leather junk Vanguard sells.

Quote from: blackrain on March 21, 2009, 03:33:51 PM
A little off topic but has anyone heard if a cloth nametape can be now be used on the blue flight suit?

No.

Quote from: blackrain on March 21, 2009, 03:33:51 PM
If not, can it be approved without going through the Air Force?

No.

Vanguard is not the only source for leather name badges.  http://www.flightbadge.com/

Quote from: Eclipse on March 21, 2009, 03:37:51 PM

Quote from: blackrain on March 21, 2009, 03:33:51 PM
A little off topic but has anyone heard if a cloth nametape can be now be used on the blue flight suit?

No.

Quote from: blackrain on March 21, 2009, 03:33:51 PM
If not, can it be approved without going through the Air Force?

No.

Vanguard is not the only source for leather name badges.  http://www.flightbadge.com/

Thanks. It appears the quality will be better.

At least we can wear the sew-on rank on the blue flight suit. 

Does anyone know at what temperature these things start to melt? you know, in case of fire

Quote from: oak2007 on May 19, 2009, 03:11:16 AM
Does anyone know at what temperature these things start to melt? you know, in case of fire

A temperature at which small 1" squares on your shoulders will be the very, very least of your concerns in a confined cockpit.

Of course if you're truly worried, you only have to submit a quick CAPF 2 to request appointment as a "SM" so you don't have to wear them.  Fear averted! 

Quote from: oak2007 on May 19, 2009, 03:11:16 AM
Does anyone know at what temperature these things start to melt? you know, in case of fire

Boiling water will soften them, and a match will at least char them. Take it from there.

Quote from: oak2007 on May 19, 2009, 03:11:16 AM
Does anyone know at what temperature these things start to melt? you know, in case of fire

By the time it became hot enough in the cockpit to melt the plastic, you probably wouldn't care at that point.

Quote from: Eclipse on March 21, 2009, 03:37:51 PM
Vanguard is not the only source for leather name badges.  [redacted]

They soon will be if you keep posting the names of other vendors in the clear like that. 

OPSEC FAIL.