WWI US Army Air Service Pilot Summer Uniform -
The United States Army Air Service was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. It was established
on May 24, 1918, after U.S. entry into World War I, replacing the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
which had been the nation's air force from 1914 to 1918.
Although the Air Service was recognized by the Department of War on May 24, 1918, no Director of
Air Service was appointed until August 28, when President Wilson made John D. Ryan a Second Assistant Secretary of War and civilian Director of Air Service.
After World War I, the Air Service was again directed by a military officer and remained so until
replaced by the United States Army Air Corps on July 1, 1926.
The uniform featured on this page is a US Army pilot's tunic. As issued during World War
One. Of gabardine construction. Light pink color. four pocket construction. black
metal buttons are applied to the front and to the pockets. All buttons display the
Army eagle on the face. The buttons in the pocket are of smaller size than the main
buttons.
Each sleeve has a single officer stripe. of light orange color.
This is a picture of the collar insignia for the Army Air Service. Pin-back construction.
The size is slightly larger than the ones employed during WWII. This particular example does
not have any markings on the back.
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWI US military uniforms.
Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out
clearly defined points that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWI US uniform worth?".
A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the uniforms is
reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth
of the American military uniforms in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality
military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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The collar of the uniform stands straight up. The side has two metal insignia. The "US"
and the Army Air Service. The design of the last one consists of a propellor with wings
protruding out from each side. Nice detail to the plumeage.
Three hooks are employed to secure the collar in the closed position.
The chest of the tunic has a beautifully embroidered set of pilot wings. The design consists of
a shield with the letters US placed in the center. A wing protrudes out from each side of the
shield. The letters are gold color while the rest is silver. The wings are built on top of a
black wool section of cloth.
One sleeve has bears the Army Air Service patch. Of felt construction. consisting
of multi-colored circles inside each other.
This WWI US military collectible may be currently
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other US military uniforms of WWI, you can do so by going
to our The History of the American Military Uniform
identification and price guide.
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