Great photo for us Nylon fans

[greyhound52]

Great shot from the Korean war showing a mix of L-2s, L-2As, and an A-2.

 

[watchmanjimg]

That is a great shot! Check out the WW2 shoepacs on the guy with the A-2. In fact, they all appear to be wearing WW2-era brown footgear. I've often wondered if the USAF had black shoes and boots before the Army changed over in the mid-'50s. Anyone have info on this?

 

[Peter Graham]

Great pic. The nearest L-2A has no decal. Is that normal ?

 

[watchmanjimg]

It would seem so, perhaps after a dry cleaning or two. I just received a nice original Superior Togs and the remnants of the "U.S. AIR FORCE" letters are barely visible upon close inspection. The winged star is long gone. The dark color of the L-2A may make a difference as evidence of an obliterated decal is usually easy to detect in the sage jackets.

 

[flightmac]

That is a great shot! Check out the WW2 shoepacs on the guy with the A-2. In fact, they all appear to be wearing WW2-era brown footgear. I've often wondered if the USAF had black shoes and boots before the Army changed over in the mid-'50s. Anyone have info on this?

Brown shoes weren't totally phased out of the new U.S. Air Force until July, 1952. Black shoes were mandatory (for officers) for the new blue, distinctive Air Force uniform introduced in 1949, but Russet brown service shoes were still authorized for other uniforms, such as the transitional Army uniforms.

 

[greyhound52]

My original B-15B mod and L-2 don't appear to have had decals but if they were dry cleaned then right the decals would go.

 

[watchmanjimg]

Brown shoes weren't totally phased out of the new U.S. Air Force until July, 1952. Black shoes were mandatory (for officers) for the new blue, distinctive Air Force uniform introduced in 1949, but Russet brown service shoes were still authorized for other uniforms, such as the transitional Army uniforms.

Pepe:

Thanks for the information. Are you familiar with the black low-topped captoe boots worn by the USAF during the Cold War? I was wondering if these were overdyed leftover service shoes. It's been a long time since I've seen them in person, so I don't remember what if any markings they had.

Jim

 

[flightmac]

Brown shoes weren't totally phased out of the new U.S. Air Force until July, 1952. Black shoes were mandatory (for officers) for the new blue, distinctive Air Force uniform introduced in 1949, but Russet brown service shoes were still authorized for other uniforms, such as the transitional Army uniforms.

Pepe:

Thanks for the information. Are you familiar with the black low-topped captoe boots worn by the USAF during the Cold War? I was wondering if these were overdyed leftover service shoes. It's been a long time since I've seen them in person, so I don't remember what if any markings they had.

Jim

I'm only seen a drawing of them. I'd heard of the "Brown Shoe Air Force" from old timers in the 1970's. They talked about being issued brown shoes and a bottle of dye. I thought that meant after the AAF became the USAF, black shoes became mandatory. Looking at some sources this evening, and your comment above, I need to study the "Brown Shoe Air Force" more.