Excellent Bancroft “Flighter” officer's crusher cap favored by USAAF personnel, known for its lightweight design and iconic "crushed" appearance. This type of cap is featured prominently in Apple TV's show "Masters of the Air".
This cap does NOT have the Patent Number on the sweatband and is therefore a guaranteed WW2-era piece. Bancroft filed for a patent on their design on May 12, 1943. Caps that display the patent number under the Flighter logo on the sweatband are generally considered post-war caps.
This cap was only lightly worn, and despite some scattered wear, it remains an extremely fine display piece, epitomizing the WWII "bomber pilot" look.
Originally designed with stiffeners for shape, bomber pilots personalized it by removing these for headset comfort, leading to its seasoned, "crushed" look, popular among pilots and high-ranking officers alike......THE 2 PATCHES WERE WITH THE CAP...ONE COVERS ALL AIR CORPS AND THE SMALLER ONE IS 8TH AIR FORCE...WILL SHIP INSURED WITH SIGNATURE....