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Civil Air Patrol (CAP) WW2 images
- Thread starter NickG
- Start date
NickG
New Member
dujardin said:
Thanks ...many images "borrowed" from CAP.org for educational purposes (with CAP water mark). Here some more "gear" images! As most patrols had to do with submarine patrols in the coastal areas mae wests were standard issue!
This one looks fast!
Note M41 field jackets!!!
deand
Active Member
[/quote]I dunno...was it full of pot smoking misfits, tighty righties, aerospace nerds? what did you do? how was the esprit de corps, if any?[/quote]
Well, as CAP cadets we wore 1505s with the blue garrison caps, learned to march, had one orientation flight in a Beechcraft, attended one encampment at Oscoda, MI, participated in one REDCAP rescue exercise, painted our squadron shack at the airport, and just as we thought we were going to get closer training for actual air patrol work, the squadron was de-activated because the guy who owned the small planes went out of business. It literally was a May to September experience, no patrolling, no flight training, which we were told there would be, no bombs and subs either, just ground support for SARCAPS and REDCAPS. There was one girl, Diana, somebody but she was two years older than the rest of us, my two friends Jeff and Brett, and I were 13, but she was cute. She had a boyfriend. So we had four cadets and two adults in the squadron. No drugs, but probably conservatives. Still am in my case. The promise it held for adventure in the skies just never panned out. We thought we were going to learn to fly, or least begin to.
dean
Well, as CAP cadets we wore 1505s with the blue garrison caps, learned to march, had one orientation flight in a Beechcraft, attended one encampment at Oscoda, MI, participated in one REDCAP rescue exercise, painted our squadron shack at the airport, and just as we thought we were going to get closer training for actual air patrol work, the squadron was de-activated because the guy who owned the small planes went out of business. It literally was a May to September experience, no patrolling, no flight training, which we were told there would be, no bombs and subs either, just ground support for SARCAPS and REDCAPS. There was one girl, Diana, somebody but she was two years older than the rest of us, my two friends Jeff and Brett, and I were 13, but she was cute. She had a boyfriend. So we had four cadets and two adults in the squadron. No drugs, but probably conservatives. Still am in my case. The promise it held for adventure in the skies just never panned out. We thought we were going to learn to fly, or least begin to.
dean
better duck
Well-Known Member
NickG said:Sub chasers! Note bomb and unit insignia!
Hey guys, look at the age and look of those intrepid men: their existence back then prolongs our "use before" date in the reenactors scene considerably. Now we can soldier on in our flight gear untill a ripe old age, and neither boldness nor extending waistlines need put us off!
fishmeok
Well-Known Member
I dunno...was it full of pot smoking misfits, tighty righties, aerospace nerds? what did you do? how was the esprit de corps, if any?[/quote]
Well, as CAP cadets we wore 1505s with the blue garrison caps, learned to march, had one orientation flight in a Beechcraft, attended one encampment at Oscoda, MI, participated in one REDCAP rescue exercise, painted our squadron shack at the airport, and just as we thought we were going to get closer training for actual air patrol work, the squadron was de-activated because the guy who owned the small planes went out of business. It literally was a May to September experience, no patrolling, no flight training, which we were told there would be, no bombs and subs either, just ground support for SARCAPS and REDCAPS. There was one girl, Diana, somebody but she was two years older than the rest of us, my two friends Jeff and Brett, and I were 13, but she was cute. She had a boyfriend. So we had four cadets and two adults in the squadron. No drugs, but probably conservatives. Still am in my case. The promise it held for adventure in the skies just never panned out. We thought we were going to learn to fly, or least begin to.
dean[/quote]
Interesting, I had a LOT more fun when I was in the CAP back in the mid to late '80's (Saginaw, MI and Duluth, MN). We had air encampments (would have soloed but I didn't have my medical in time) practiced Search and Rescue, etc.
Cheers
Mark
Well, as CAP cadets we wore 1505s with the blue garrison caps, learned to march, had one orientation flight in a Beechcraft, attended one encampment at Oscoda, MI, participated in one REDCAP rescue exercise, painted our squadron shack at the airport, and just as we thought we were going to get closer training for actual air patrol work, the squadron was de-activated because the guy who owned the small planes went out of business. It literally was a May to September experience, no patrolling, no flight training, which we were told there would be, no bombs and subs either, just ground support for SARCAPS and REDCAPS. There was one girl, Diana, somebody but she was two years older than the rest of us, my two friends Jeff and Brett, and I were 13, but she was cute. She had a boyfriend. So we had four cadets and two adults in the squadron. No drugs, but probably conservatives. Still am in my case. The promise it held for adventure in the skies just never panned out. We thought we were going to learn to fly, or least begin to.
dean[/quote]
Interesting, I had a LOT more fun when I was in the CAP back in the mid to late '80's (Saginaw, MI and Duluth, MN). We had air encampments (would have soloed but I didn't have my medical in time) practiced Search and Rescue, etc.
Cheers
Mark
flightmac
Member
My last assignment before retiring from the Air Force Reserve was one of the military liaisons who oversee CAP's use of Air Force resources [aircraft (yes, they are now all A.F. owned), vehicles, and radios]. Since it's a volunteer organization, how active a squadron is or how long it survives depends on the adult leadership's commitment. It takes alot of effort to properly run any volunteer organization, even more so one with all the complexities of a military organization. While experience and/or brains don't hurt; it doesn't take a former fighter test pilot wing commander, just a group (the more the better) willing to learn and do all the various duties. I saw all types from a couple of squadrons who did it all with active cadet and flying programs; to "flying clubs" of adults only that got the job done; to one squadron (ironically closest to my home) that imploded after the commander, also a U.S.C.G. Captain, retired from active duty and left. The collapse after the loss of just one member, even the commander, shows just how fragile it was. There just wasn't enough people to put in the time.
Sorry to be so long, but I was really getting into working with them.
Sorry to be so long, but I was really getting into working with them.
NickG
New Member
Not CAP but still civilian, a USAAF contracted flight school (see my avatar!)
civilian pilot instructor, wearing an instructor's cap devise
(no rank insignia) and a private purchase A-2.
Note oversized collar (not button down?) with a neck closure snap button!
Clearly not an USAAF spec jacket!
It does have the Aircorps style natural leather name tag stitched on.
civilian pilot instructor, wearing an instructor's cap devise
(no rank insignia) and a private purchase A-2.
Note oversized collar (not button down?) with a neck closure snap button!
Clearly not an USAAF spec jacket!
It does have the Aircorps style natural leather name tag stitched on.
