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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: fotoguzzi on October 31, 2015, 02:49:28 PM
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(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-89wHRr2/0/L/IMG_1291-L.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-89wHRr2/A)
My Dad is going on an Honor flight to DC, I want to clean up his first Lieut. Hat.
He did 29 missions as navigator in a B17, crash landed once in France..walked away.
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IMHO,..... DON'T!
It looks great as it is, and the patina is history!
John
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:1:
GliderJohn
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:1:
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Flitz will do it, if you want.
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wow. Quite a guy.
My hat's off to him.
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Don't shine it up, it has aged nicely and you sure don't want your dad wearing something that looks like it came from the local Army Navy store as a replica.
Bet he will be proud the wear it as is and everyone else proud to see the same.
Honors to him.
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wow, I had not thought of it like that but your right! it should stay old.. glad I didn't dip in in the TarnX :azn:
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I would not touch it either but a tooth brush and tooth paste will clean the nooks and crannies out
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Leave it as is. That's history and deserves to look like it served...
and thank your Dad for his service.
They did a great job under difficult circumstances.
He will enjoy the trip. Have talked to veterans that have went and all
said it was quite moving. Not one considered themselves a "Hero" but in
my book they are!
Jeff
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The patina was EARNED. :thumb:
I would leave it alone, you can buy new hats in a store.
Old guys need to have good looking stuff, Vintage!
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Holy Sh!t
gave me goosebumps. Tell him thanks for me.
Toooo Cool!
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Is he wearing his uniform?
I can't even fit into my old Jungle Boots :grin: much less the rest of my gear!!!
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Salute!!!
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"The patina was EARNED" I AGREE!!!! :1: :1: :1:
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Is he wearing his uniform?
I can't even fit into my old Jungle Boots :grin: much less the rest of my gear!!!
the hat is the only thing that fits.
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If your dad insists Brasso will clean that up. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Brasso-8-oz-Metal-Polish-76523/202820651 He would of most likely used that while he was in the service.
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29 missions :bow:
Dusty
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If you do decide to clean it, use the toothbrush as suggested earlier. Cut a slot in a piece of stiff plastic sheet to slip between the badge and the hat. That will prevent any dirt from the badge spreading to the material of the hat.
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Don't shine it! It has earned that patina. Tell your Father Thank you for his service.
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please start another thread with pictures when he gets back !! ...if possible.
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(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-89wHRr2/0/L/IMG_1291-L.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-89wHRr2/A)
My Dad is going on an Honor flight to DC, I want to clean up his first Lieut. Hat.
He did 29 missions as navigator in a B17, crash landed once in France..walked away.
My boss is heavily involved in this effort in the Seattle area, and is on their local board. Got to hand to the people who volunteer to support these flights while the veterans are still around. He takes PTO to go to DC and is always coming back with stories, some good, some bad unfortunately given the average age of the participants. Worth supporting if you can.
I agree with most of the others, leave it alone unless your father insists. Then it's his party.
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Much appreciation to your Father for his service. I agree with others dust it off and use it as is.
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Another thank you to dad. I had tha opportunity to chaperone a vet on a honor flight a couple of years ago. Great experience.
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First, let me add my appreciation for your father's service. Something to be very proud of.
The hat. It is up to your father. Typically hats were worn with the 'crush' look to signify that they had been used a lot. That one was.
The emblem may be one that he took pride in buffing to a shine, or, he took pride in not doing so. The only way to tell is ask.
If it needs to be shined, then remove it from the hat first. There should be a screw post on the back, just remove the nut. Then use brasso and a toothbrush and rag. There will be a little bit of color left in the crevises. That's ok.
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Much appreciation to your Father for his service. I agree with others dust it off and use it as is.
Ditto
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aviator crush still in good shape. I would leave it as well. If your dad wants to clean it up I would use a blitz cloth lightly
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What was the name of his B-17?
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Don't shine.
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What was the name of his B-17?
struggle buggy
8th AF, 3rd air division 93rd air wing 490th bomb group, 849th squadron aircraft #33863 scrapped at Kingman, AZ after they flew home in it.
Airfield, Eye, England
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struggle buggy
8th AF, 3rd air division 93rd air wing 490th bomb group, 849th squadron aircraft #33863 scrapped at Kingman, AZ after they flew home in it.
Airfield, Eye, England
My grandfather Captained a B-24, and was shot down once in enemy territory (friendlies helped him hide). His plane was the "Big Gas Bird", but it was a B-24. Same war, different aircraft.
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My very best regards to your dad. I greatly appreciate his service. I was 7 yrs. old at the beginning of WWII. Lost 2 uncles in Europe. One of my very best friends (Marines), was on the beach @ Iwo Jima and elsewhere. A dear friend in Salt Lake City will be 92 in January. Her 1st job out of high school (having better mechanical skills than typing skills), was doing assembly work on B-17's @ what continues to be an AFB just North of SLC. I used live near the Colling's foundation in MA. They fly a B-17, B-24, P-51, AT-6 in air chows through out the US. Damned little room. A helluva lot of noise and zero protection. Stepping on board gives me chills and deep sadness. Thank you for posting your message, fotoguzzi. Good fortune to your dad & his family. R3~
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(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-bZ5Lw79/0/L/IMG_1302-L.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-bZ5Lw79/A)
checking out the map of Eye today..
I read all your reply's to him today but he still thinks it looks tarnished so I said it's his choice, start with a toothbrush and a little paste..
we modded a loaned wheelchair today to his specs.. and I gave him my Airhawk and/or a big inflatable cushion for it.. It will be a trip of a lifetime, my little brother the Physician will be his escort..
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While I'm fond of a good patina and respect that, a good shine may bring back more memories for him - how his hat used to look.
I like Nevr-Dull, magic wadding polish:
http://www.nevrdull.com/
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Dad had a great time and was humbled by the Honor.. It rained.. so he looks like the Pope w/ Bob Dole, Dad told him he was all right for a Republican..
(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-d7x96qc/0/M/IMG_6431-M.jpg)
then a big group of tourist from China each took a pic with him, He was a big deal to them..
(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-MGmh36n/0/M/IMG_8875-M.jpg)
(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-GqCj3VF/0/L/IMG_7625-L.jpg)
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Great storey,
You must be very proud of your dad, I can't imagine what fellows like him endured over Europe.
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(https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-GqCj3VF/0/L/IMG_7625-L.jpg)
I love that he wore that shirt, even though you can't read the second half of the quote on the back! So true!
Lannis
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They both cleaned up pretty good. :bow:
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I'm very misty, happy for you and your family and grateful for your message. Good fortune to you and your family. R3~
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Ditto. And the hat looks great!
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Great story, always good to hear about "The Greatest Generation" Thanks for sharing!