UPDATE: Sunday with Grandpa: Aviation Cadets 90 and Bombardier Navigator E School

When last we saw this photo [way back on Sunday], I was contacting the Civil Air Patrol Cadet History Project to see if they had any information to share.

From Ashley at CAPC History Project:
“As far as their uniform insignia, they are definitely US Army Air Force Aviation Cadets, not CAP Cadets. CAP Cadets did not wear the service cap with the large metal prop and wing device the men are wearing, nor did they wear the US collar insignia. CAP “borrowed” the prop and wing design but put it in cloth, and added color.

See this: http://www.capchistoryproject.org/Insignia.php CAP Cadets wore the first cloth patch on their cloth flight caps, like this: http://www.capchistoryproject.org/1940s.php

CAP Cadets are still wearing the design, but in a metal/enamel version. It can be found on the last page of the insignia link above.

The Air Force separated from the Army in 1947. The Army Aviation branch still uses the prop and wing as their insignia: http://www.usarmyaviation.com/

Thanks, Ashley! Knowing the correct branch of the military is an important detail. Stay tuned – there’s more to come! If you have any information, please leave us a comment!