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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Brandi
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
So good!
Format: Kindle
Oh my goodness! What did I just read? Lyra Winters you have some serious explaining to do! That cliffhanger killed me! I am so happy to be back in the world of Kalista. This is definitely darker than Fates Hollow but oh so good. This is a fated mates reverse harem which I absolutely love. Pandora had a very hard and rough upbringing. She lives in pain constantly and it makes it hard on her. She struggles with everything because she was kept so isolated and is new to her magic. Pandora gets sent to the Reform Academy and all of them have reasons why they are there. I love how, after everything she has been through, she is still a nice person. She is growing and becoming stronger too. Love her character. The guys all act like jerks at first but all have a back story that helps understand why even though want to smack them. I'm here for the groveling that I'm sure will come. I love them all. They each bring something for her. They are all drawn to her though. This is a slow burn book but there will be more books in the series so sure it will build. Man, that cliffhanger was a doozy and need book 2 now!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
C
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Courtenay
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
Good-ish
Format: Kindle
🌶️ 0/5 ⭐️ 3/5 I will preface this by saying I am not a huge RH fan. However it didn’t feel like a RH quite yet. The relationships and plot are all building in this book. At first I was thinking things were happening stupid fast since she’s had zero interaction with another being and has been tortured her whole life, and I believe they were for one side of the relationship, but by 50% things moved too slow lol. Idk I think the main 1-3 guys I’m actually interested in more than the others didn’t get enough air time so I hope the next book things start moving with them since it ended the way it did.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2025
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Florina3090
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Can I have Term 2 now?
Format: Kindle
This is by far my favorite book of Lyra's to date. I gobbled this book up so fast, I was so upset I finished it. I know this is going to be a book I reread, just like Fate Hollow Academy. I loved Fate Hollow Academy, so I was excited when Lyra announced she was taking us readers back to Kalista. Although the characters from Fate Hollow are mentioned several times throughout the book, this book is about Pandora and her love interests in the Demon Realm. Before you deep dive into this book, definitely look at the trigger warnings before you start. When Lyra says there's dark themes in this book, she meant it. Also, just know this book does end on a cliffhanger and will probably leave you with as many questions as it did me. Below may contain some minor spoilers, so keep that in mind if you want to keep reading my review. Pandora's first 2 decades of her life are full of torture, hatred, and confinement in a cellar. That is until her father finds her and brings her into the world she was supposed to live in. Because of her upbringing she wasn't acclimated to the Demon world and the way their society works so when she is offered the chance to go to a Demon Reform Accademy, she accepts it to learn the ways of society and how she is supposed to feed. Pandora isn't like the other common demons in this world, no. She, like her father Death, are soul-eaters. Pandora is too scared to release her powers because she doesn't want to kill anyone, so she needs to learn how to feed off of a piece of soul instead of taking the whole thing. Because of who her father is, she's classed as a Noble, and while she doesn't agree with her fellow Noble students, who look down on the "lower" class, she also is faced with 3 Demons who hate her for being a Noble. Theses a lot of back and forth tension which these 3 demons who have issues of their own. One is obsessed with her, and wants to know all of her secrets. One leaks fear all over the place, but also is scared of the "princess" -wink- -wink-. One is a complete drunk who doesn't like her just because he's got family Noble problems. Don't worry, there are 2 other demons who are just the sweetest towards her. One who will get vengeance for anything done to her, he's got Golden Retriever energy around her and touch her and die energy for anyone around her. Finally, there is one who is friends with her even when the whole school is scared of her, who brings her into his dreams and will create nightmares for those who bother her.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
M
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Mystery_Machine_Gang
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 4
This was more than I expected...
Format: Kindle
So...I finished this book at nearly 2am! It was just that hard to put down. I loved that it's set in the same world as Fates Hollow but in the future. Poor Pandora has been through so much but there's light at the end of the tunnel for her. She finally meets her dad and it turns out he's amazing. In order to help her learn about demon society and how to control her magic he sends her to the Demon Reform Academy. There she meets 2 awesome demons who help her and care for her. She also sadly meets her 3 tormentors. I will say though that while they do bully Pandora they also rescue her several times and defend her. They too have traumatizing pasts and can't see the good that is in front of them. Of course demon society needs to be shaken up too since that's part of the problem. I really enjoyed this read. I teared up a few times throughout the book but I liked the characters and that ending...well it looks like 3 in denial are going to need to grovel hard.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
K
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Krystle
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
MUST READ BOOK!!
Format: Kindle
I was in a huge reading slump, when one of my favorite authors recommended this book in her readers group (The amazing Marie Mistry 🫶) and I absolutely DEVOURED this book. Now I’m in the club crying about having to wait until December for Term 2! This book is about a girl named Pandora who has suffered a life that nobody would ever wish to have. This book is about Pandora learning how to live, learning about herself and what she really wants. She has a long journey to find out all of these things, but she took the first steps in this book and it was beautiful to read. Some of the men in this book are our dream men, Hunter and Reed 😍 and then we have the men who need some work and who we all really just want to beat up until they admit what they really feel, Skel, Bram and Dexter. But that cliffy was a killer and I absolutely cannot wait until the next book!! You have written an absolute dream of a book Lyra and I eagerly await the next installment in this series!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024

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