PLASTIC Stiffeners on Erel White-Tops

[stonemint]

Over the years, I have had people ask me about the stiffeners in certain (but not all) Erel white-tops. Yes, they are plastic, & no, they are not celluloid.

They are usually covered up by a rayon drape in the front of the cap.

It appears that Erel had them in different sizes, and they were cut down by hand. In addition, a lot of LW officers simply ripped them out to get the floppy look.

If you see one in a cap, do not remove it--it is 100% original to the hat.

[stonemint]

Here is what I am talking about. The rayon drape on this one is loose from the prong attachment showing the bottom attachment of the stiffener.

The bottom pic shows how the plastic stiffener is moulded to go forward and out over the band.

Usually, these are sewn with dual stitching, but his one only has one line of stitching. Irregardless, with use, they usually split and detach from the pasteboard over time.

[stonemint]

Here is an Erel with the white-top removed:

[stonemint]

In addition to the plastic stiffener being removed, most LW pilots also pulled the top rayon liner from the hat, which has a built-in spring.
If left in the hat, it gives it a tellerform appearance.

[jacquesf]

Very interesting, learned something new. jacques

[BenVK]

Me too Jacques, never seen this before!

I'm going to pinch this Chris and put it you know where!

[Kreager]

Very informative

[stonemint]

Courtesy of Wayne, here is another Erel LW with the plastic stiffener, double-stitched, but cut narrower than mine:

[stonemint]

More of the above:

[stonemint]

Anyone else care to show their plastic stiffener?

[JackHun]

I can only show a white top with the spring still in it.

Cheers, Jack

[stonemint]

I can only show a white top with the spring still in it.

Cheers, Jack

Yup, and 99% of all LW officers ditched it--that is why you rarely find them in examples today.

[stonemint]

See Jos. post--this is exactly what I am trying to prevent....:


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=564091

[stonemint]

Just cross-linking this thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=1#post5338803