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They had two patch pockets on the waist and two below the knee covering the front of the leg about 8 inches. Buttons used on the pocket flaps and the front closure were concealed. In flying, appropriate headgear for the type of ship being flown had to be worn. Aside from the flying helmet provided by the AAF, women pilots were issued a wool knit cap similar in design to that issued nurses. The OQMG, working with Knox Hats, also developed a field cap made of 8.2-ounce cotton twill in a design having a flexible visor and earlaps lined with a 12-ounce wool liner.  For exercise purposes S. Augstein, Inc., developed a suit consisting of shorts, made of preshrunk, 8.2-ounce, blue cotton twill, lastex briefs, a white cotton shirt, and a belt of white webbing. The OQMG suggested the use of the standard women's sweater procured by the Quartermaster Corps. With the approval of the Director of the WASP this item was furnished from stock.

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[[caption]] WASP Trench Coat [[/caption]]

A trench coat was developed for the WASP by the C. B. Shane Corp. in Chicago. Made of a neutral shade gabardine, it was designed in a double-breasted, belted style with a removable blue lining. The available types of women's raincoats were not considered satisfactory by the Director of the WASP. A parka type raincoat, approved by her, was developed in the fall of 1943.55 About the same time Mr. Freedman, OQMG clothing designer, was working with the Hannes Schneider Sports Co. in the development of a parka type overcoat for the WASP. Lined with pile, this garment was issued to the Wasps only in severely cold climates upon approval of the Commanding General, AAF.56 A scarf, 9 by 60 inches, made of navy blue 100 percent cashmere, was an optional item, which could be worn with the trench coat, raincoat, or functional clothing.

The bulk of this developmental work was accomplished between August and October 1943. On August 27 the Deputy Chief of Air Staff first requested that The Quartermaster General be directed to develop and make available both the items for issue and those for purchase. The number of women pilots involved in this program at that time was about 600. It was contemplated that by the end of the fiscal year 1944 this number would be increased to 1,200.57 When ASF Headquarters delayed taking action, a similar request was addressed to the Chief of Staff on September 10, 1943.58 The OQMG received its procurement directive on September 24, 1943.59 Until a definite basis of issue was established, The Quartermaster General was to procure 1,200 sets of the items listed for issue and purchase. A deadline of November 3, 1943, was indicated for delivery. Because of the urgency of this particular procurement and the time element involved, a somewhat different procurement procedure was used than was customary. Since the program necessitated concurrent development and purchase of items and demanded high quality merchandise, the Military Planning Division had carried on negotiations with specific manufacturers known to possess the facilities and experience required to achieve these


55  The Alligator Co., St. Louis Mo., to Leonard Rothgerber, OQMG, Nov. 8, 1943; see also Mr. I. L. Freedman to Mr. L. L. Weitz, Nov. 20, 1943.  "Raincoat and Overcoat, Parka--WASPs."

56  See AAF Reg. 40-9, Feb. 14, 1944, "Wearing of the WASP Uniform."

57  Brig. Gen. E. S. Perrin to the Commanding General, ASF, Aug. 27, 1943, "Clothing for Women Pilots in the Army Air Forces."  It was recommended that storage, issue, inspection, and procurement responsibility be assigned to the Quartermaster Corps; specifications and designing also, but subject to approval by the AAF; purchase responsibility to The Quartermaster General upon receipt of request from the AAF; determination of requirements and provision of funds by the AAF.

58  Brig. Gen. Wm. E. Hall to the Chief of Staff, Sept. 10, 1943, "Clothing for Women Pilots in the Army Air Forces."

59  Col. Lee A. Denson, Jr., Acting Director, Requirements Division, ASF, to The Quartermaster General, Sept. 24, 1943, "Clothing for Women Pilots in the Army Air Forces."

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