SKU: 11434122563
us navy dress blues

us navy dress blues Original U.S. WWI US Navy Named Aviation Crewman’s’ Dress Blue Uniform Set

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us navy dress blues Original U.S. WWI US Navy Named Aviation Crewman’s’ Dress Blue Uniform SetOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid 40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only

Original Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid-40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only to return to the tried-and-true dress blues. The uniform's main qualities of comfort, practicality, and a distinctive design have endeared it to the sailor. Iconic in appearance, the primary WW2 dress blue outfit consisted of a beret style cap with a ribbon and bow around the band; a "V" neck jumper with a square sailor's collar; a silk neckerchief; and bellbottom trousers with a 13-button broadfall front. Although its design features evolved from needs that had long since passed into history and were archaic even by WW2 standards, the uniform provided the sailor with an instantly recognizable uniform that boosted morale, evoked esprit de corps, and honored the Navy's proud history.

Photos dating back to at least the early 1860s show US sailors wearing a blue wool uniform not too different from the WW2 design. Through much of its early years the uniform was worn at sea, but by WW2 it had become mainly a dress uniform used for more formal occasions such as in formations, ceremonial activities, or for special guard duty. It was also worn on shore leave in appropriate climates. In fact, during WW2 it is most often seen being worn in northern shore and training stations by new recruits. The shift from a practical working uniform to one used for dress occasions was inevitable as military doctrine was evolving during the 1930s and 40s by setting specific roles for uniforms and establishing clear distinctions between work, garrison, and combat attire. And by the end of WW2 the age of multi-use uniforms had passed.

The dress blue jumper and trouser combination was considered a winter uniform to be worn in cool temperatures. It was constructed of high quality 16-ounce Melton wool that had a fine nap and was relatively soft to the touch. There were appropriate accessories to keep sailors warm on colder days. These included an overcoat made of matching heavy-weight Melton, blue wool knit gloves, and a blue wool muffler. The Dress Blue Uniform was included as part of the enlisted man's initial clothing gratuity. In northern training stations it was issued at induction and in warmer areas not until graduation was complete and final assignment received.

The dress blue uniform underwent continuous refinement over the decades of its use as was typically the case with uniforms that existed for any length of time. This process continued during WW2 with some significant changes being made to the jumper and trousers at the end of 1943. At this time it was decided to shorten the length of the jumper by six inches and simplify the waistband area of the trousers. These changes were implemented primarily to realize savings in a wartime economy by reducing the amount of fabric required to make the uniform and to speed up production by simplifying the manufacturing process.

Service Dress Blues for male junior enlisted sailors are based on the classic sailor suit in navy blue, colloquially referred to as "crackerjacks" because of the sailor-suited figure that adorns the packaging of Cracker Jack snacks. It consists of a navy blue wool pullover jumper with an elongated "tar-flap" collar adorned with three rows of white stripes and two white stars, one at each corner of the collar. The jumper's cuffs are similarly adorned with white stripes. A black silk or synthetic fiber neckerchief, rolled diagonally, is worn around the neck, under the collar, with the ends tied in a square knot in the center of the chest. The trousers for the uniform are flared as "bell bottoms". The trousers have traditionally featured a broad-fall opening, though changes to the trousers announced in 2012 have added a zippered fly, rendering the buttons merely decorative.

The jumper features a lovely 2nd Class Aviation Quartermaster shoulder sleeve insignia on the left shoulder. It is in lovely condition with minor moth mips present and no significant damage. The bottom inside waistline has the name R. L. CALDWELL present. Due to how common this name is, it is rather difficult to locate any solid service information, making for a wonderful research opportunity.

The blue cloth cap was remarkable for its longevity having served as an essential part of the enlisted sailor's uniform for over one hundred years. During its considerable time in service, the blue cap sailed on frigates, sloops, paddle wheels, submarines, battleships, and aircraft carriers. It was present for the transition from sails to steam to fuel oil, and even lived to see the advent of nuclear propulsion. But perhaps, most of all, the cap brings back memories of great armadas, the age of Dreadnoughts, and the historic conflicts they partook in.

Recorded in the Navy Uniform Regulations as early as 1833, the blue cap was originally part of an ensemble of clothing prescribed for enlisted seamen to be worn outdoors in both cold and warm weather. Early regulations simply described a "Blue Cloth Cap" until the Civil War period when the wording was slightly changed to "Blue Cloth Cap, without visor".

The circumference of the pre-1933 cap was much larger and required a wire stiffener on the inside to help keep its shape. Just like a lot of other sailors, the stiffener was removed to attribute a saltier appearance. The 1933 cap had a front riser that lifted the crown well above the ribbon. Additionally, the crown of the 1933 cap was attached to the sides using a cord seam, which is not present on this one. Prior to 1941, the vessel's name or any one of a number of different shore station designations could be displayed on the ribbon. In this case it's U.S. NAVAL AVIATION. The cap is in lovely condition and is even beautiful marked on the inside with block letters as:

R. L. CALDWELL
U.S.N.
AVIATION

Accompanying the uniform set is a lovely “sweetheart” wool pillow case. The pillow case dates to late WWI and is in lovely condition with faded colors but still displays wonderfully.
Early aviation items are amongst some of the most difficult items to come across, especially US Navy aviation items. This is a wonderful opportunity to add a researchable uniform to your collection.

Comes more than ready for display.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 19.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 16.5”
Waist width: 16”
Hip width: 16”
Front length: 21"

PANTS:
WAIST:13"
INSEAM:28"

Upon the United States' entry into World War I, the U.S. Navy had one air station, located at Pensacola, Florida. Available for service were 48 aviators and students, along with 54 aircraft. Prior to the war, the only war experience Naval Aviation had was with photo reconnaissance at Veracruz, Mexico in 1914. In the subsequent rapid build-up, Naval Air Stations were concentrated on the eastern coast, including Anacostia, Washington, D.C.; Bay Shore, Long Island, New York; Cape May, New Jersey; Chatham, Massachusetts; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Key West, Miami, and Pensacola, Florida; and Rockaway Beach, New York.

Exceptions were at North Island, San Diego (used by the U.S. Army for training and schools); Akron, Ohio (for lighter-than-aircraft); and Camp Taliaferro, Fort Worth, Texas (an aerial gunnery school). During the war, naval aircraft flew more than three million nautical miles while also attacking and damaging a dozen German U-Boats. When hostilities ceased, U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Aviation were operational out of 27 bases in Europe, two in Canada, and one in the Canal Zone, one in the Azores, and 12 in the United States. At the time of the Armistice, naval aviation had 6,716 officers and 30,693 men serving. The Marine Corps had 282 officers with 2,180 men. Of these, 18,000 officers and men served abroad. Craft totals: 2,107 aircraft; 15 dirigibles and 215 kite balloons.

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SKU: 11434122563

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tom t
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
The Crime Syndicate is back!
Format: Paperback
Wow, what a great story. I first read about the Crime Syndicate in the Secret Society of Super Villains when I was a kid in the 70's. This a fresh take and gives us the origins of the team and the individuals members in the back-ups. Great story with characterization, lots of action, surprises, and well-paced.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022
S
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Scott William Foley
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Doctor Aphra and Luke Skywalker - An Entertaining Duo!
Format: Paperback
I've greatly enjoyed the various Marvel Star Wars series, but Star Wars: Yoda's Secret War left me a little unsatisfied.  I'm very happy to say that the next installment--Screaming Citadel--righted the course and returned the series to its high standard. Of course, this volume is not just comprised of the Star Wars series.  It also has issues from Doctor Aphra.  Obviously, the two comics crossed over with each other to deliver this story as  whole. Doctor Aphra has an ancient crystal supposedly housing the sentience of a powerful Jedi.  She needs the Queen of the Screaming Citadel to access it for her, and she needs Luke Skywalker to entice the queen into doing so.  You'll have to read the book for the details on using Luke as bait.  Doctor Aphra sells it to Luke as a chance for him to encounter an actual Jedi master, and it's a chance for her to witness a remnant of the ancient past because she is an archaeologist after all, albeit a bit of an immoral one. That's a pretty good premise to achieve what this story is really all about--watching Luke and Aphra interact.  I believe Doctor Aphra is one of the greatest additions to the Star Wars universe in decades.  She first appeared in the Darth Vader series, and she won over the audience so thoroughly that she quickly earned her own title.  Honestly, though Aphra works best when pitted against the pure of heart, or at least those on the side of the Rebels.  She's Aphra, so of course she manipulates Luke, double-crosses him, saves his skin a few times, then cheats him again.  That's just who she is. It's also interesting to see a rebellious streak in Luke as he jaunts off with Aphra without telling Han, Leia, or anyone else for that matter.  We know his dad didn't always follow protocol, so these little deviations are always revealing when Luke is concerned.  It's also fun to see him beginning to realize his power.  This particular story takes place soon after A New Hope, so Luke has not yet begun to completely understand what he has at his disposal--though this book does depict Luke having some pretty cool moments with his burgeoning abilities. We also have quite a bit of Han, Leia, and another invaluable addition to the mythology named Sana Starros.  All three get their moment to shine as Han finds more and more of the hero within, Leia further establishes herself as the capable leader she is, and Sana Starros slowly reveals more and more of her past to the reader.  Guess what?  Not only does she have deep connections to Han Solo, but it's heavily hinted that she is also tied to Doctor Aphra as well.  The specifics may surprise you. And, as always, Aphra's versions of C3PO and R2D2 steal the show.  They are named 0-0-0 and BT-1.  They are basically the murderous, demented, evil version of our favorite droids, and they are forever a delight. The story of Screaming Citadel itself is entertaining.  The art is very pleasing to the eye and keeps the plot moving at a quick pace.  At times the faces of the characters based off of real life actors look almost photo realistic, which is sometimes jarring when the rest of the panel does not look so true to life.  Of course, the best quality of the book is simply seeing all of these characters play off of each other.  It's refreshing to have such rounded, charismatic new characters as Aphra, Sana, Triple-Zero, and Bee-Tee 1 making waves with our legendary favorites.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2018
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Christian Romero
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 4
Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid
Format: Paperback
Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel is a crossover collection of the main Star Wars comic series and the Doctor Aphra series. The Arc revolves around the Queen of The Screaming Citadel being the only one who can open a relic containing an ancient Jedi master. Aphra then teams up with Luke Skywalker and we have our crossover event. The story itself is good. A queen with parasitic bugs controlling a planet is uncharted territory for Star Wars and it works. There were great action moments, plots painting the Empire in a morally grey light than the traditional evil one. Doctor Aphra Marvel's golden girl character was funny in this and her chemistry with Luke worked. It didn't feel forced like Marvel was trying to use the Original Characters to build-up their new ones. Where this comic fails is the inconsistent art style as this is a collection you get different art with each issue. Its starts of good and then takes a nosedive in the Aphra issue in the volume. Bad art aside Screaming Citadel was an enjoyable crossover. Doctor Aphra is the best new character to come out of this new Marvel Disney run. Screaming Citadel is worth the read it was a nice crossover that delves more into the Fantasy elements of Star Wars and works as Star Wars has been Space Wizards since 1977.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2018
J
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J.Eaton
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
What a ride.
Format: Paperback
How these two come together with the rest of the iconic characters is just so fun. Add in a Screaming Citadel and you're in for one hell of a ride. If you love Star Wars, pick it up. It could read as a stand-alone if needed. Part of the Doctor Aphra comics.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2022
B
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beasterson
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Absolutely top-knotch
Format: Kindle
9.5/10 This is the pinnacle of Star Wars comic books. A great way to tie in their Indiana Jones character in Aphra and the mainline series to tell an amazing story. Only complaint is a couple of the issues artwork I was not a fan of. I like the more realistic look. Just make sure you read Aphra book 1 and the previous SW books to understand it better. Aphra book 1 being more important
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2018

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