Jackets from the CAF Olathe, KS

[Treetopflyer]

Last weekend I stumbled upon the Commemorative Air Force hangar when I went to the airport that used to be Naval Air Station Olathe. One of the volunteers just happened to be arriving when I pulled up to the hangar and he offered to give me a tour. They have quite the display of jackets in their museum. All of them donated my members of the Olathe Wing of the CAF. I thought I would share a few pics of the jackets

 

[Anonymous]

I like the leather bag.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I like the leather bag.

I don't think that it is a bag. It looked like a jacket that had been folded up showing only the back of it. As you can see it was in pretty rough shape.

 

[dujardin]

thankssss for sharing

 

[TankBuster]

I like the leather bag.

I don't think that it is a bag. It looked like a jacket that had been folded up showing only the back of it. As you can see it was in pretty rough shape.

Nice 82nd FG piece! They flew P-38's out of Foggia Italy.

 

[dmar836]

That jacket was a private purchase jacket donated by the mayor of Olathe (IIRC) and belonged to his vet father. Not sure if it was worn during the war but it now suffers horribly from red rot. The paint is the great part!
Dave

 

[Treetopflyer]

That jacket was a private purchase jacket donated by the mayor of Olathe (IIRC) and belonged to his vet father. Not sure if it was worn during the war but it now suffers horribly from red rot. The paint is the great part!
Dave

Thanks for that info! I was impressed with the collection they had of WWII uniforms and flight gear.

 

[YoungMedic]

Whats the make on the Zulauf jacket? It's got some great character in it

 

[dmar836]

Bronco IIRC. It is in lovely shape.

 

[YoungMedic]

Bronco IIRC. It is in lovely shape.

Thats what I was thinking, but the pocket flaps threw me, im still learning :geek:

 

[Roughwear]

That 1941-3 Wareings Irvin is in fantastic condition. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.

 

[dmar836]

It sure is. Was donated to the wing by a young guy who had shoveled snow in it! I think his grandmother had given it to him but I cannot remember for sure and the "curators" don't really record detailed accounts from donors.

Zulauf was a local CAF member and flew B-25s out of Italy. Another VLJ member was caretaker of this Bronco and was also given his records, medals, wings, etc. I would not have let go of that jacket as easily - especially since they were good friends. Honorably, he offered much of the ephemera back to Zulauf's kids upon his passing. Not all caretakers of these groupings are greedy!

Medic, are you in the KC area or were you just passing through?
Dave

 

[Treetopflyer]

If the question was directed at me, I have just arrived at Fort Leavenworth for 11 months of training. Being Navy, I had heard that there had been a Naval Air Station at Olathe years ago and that there were some static aircraft on display. So, I meandered down there one Sunday afternoon to photograph them. I came across the CAF hangar and stopped in. Just lucky enough to have the Chief Mechanic show up about five minutes before I did. He gave me a tour of the facilities.

 

[YoungMedic]

No Im in Jacksonville Fl, never been to KC

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It sure is. Was donated to the wing by a young guy who had shoveled snow in it! I think his grandmother had given it to him but I cannot remember for sure and the "curators" don't really record detailed accounts from donors.

Zulauf was a local CAF member and flew B-25s out of Italy. Another VLJ member was caretaker of this Bronco and was also given his records, medals, wings, etc. I would not have let go of that jacket as easily - especially since they were good friends. Honorably, he offered much of the ephemera back to Zulauf's kids upon his passing. Not all caretakers of these groupings are greedy!

Medic, are you in the KC area or were you just passing through?
Dave