Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This visor cap, in summer Khaki issue color, was made by Bancroft. It is in well-worn but nice condition with the iconic "crush" shape. The sweatband is embossed with FLIGHTER by BANCROFT with Visor Pat Pend. and Curve Control. This peaked cap features a gold tone WWII Army Overseas insignia over a leather visor. The underside of the visor is marked with the owners name - DRAKE SIMOFF. From what we can find out, Drake Simoff was born February 8, 1923 and passed on March 23rd, 1998. He was laid to rest in and his headstone reads FLT O US ARMY AIR CORPS WORLD WAR II. We have not been able to locate his service record.

The cap is in good shape, but it is definitely well worn. The leather brim and chin strap are in excellent condition, as is the sweatband. However the celluloid lining is completely missing, though there is staining on the inside from when it melted over the years. There is also quite a bit of wear around where the cap meets the band, possibly from moth, but more likely simply from wear. The sides of the top are single ply, so they are more easily worn through.

This is the classic "bomber pilot" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army/AAF officer dress cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike, but pilots gave this cap their own unique twist. Normally, this cap had stiffeners -- a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape. These kept the cap in its proper, regulation military shape and angle. However, since bomber pilots wore headsets over their caps during flights, they would remove the wire stiffener to make headset wear more comfortable, causing the sides of the caps to become crushed. Eventually, the caps retained their floppy "crushed" look, giving the pilot who wore it the look of a seasoned veteran.

The crush cap identified its wearer as an experienced pro, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crush cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers.