B-17 USAAF Pilot Officer 'Crusher Cap & Roca HB-7ANB-H1 Radio Headset

The USAAF service dress cap issued to B-17 pilot and executive officers was to become one of the most popular USAAF military aviation icons of WWII, next to the A2 Flying jacket and the Mae West life preserver.

Originally issued with an internal wire support around the internal flat top, it soon became known as the ’50 Mission Crusher’ after transport and bomber pilots wearing the Roca radio headsets ‘legitimately’ removed the frame and stiffeners arguing it gave better wearer comfort.

The resulting ‘worn & casual’ appearance lent an air of experience and cockiness insinuating the wearer was a veteran of many missions.

The ‘Crusher’ became so popular with aviators that some manufacturers like the US Bancroft actually produced a line of ‘factory-crushed’ vanity caps for fighter pilots who wore the more bulkier regulation flying helmets during missions, to wear off duty.

The B-17 pilot officer wore a throat mic for radio transmission both internally with crew and communications with other aircraft and the ground.

Paired with this mic he wore the adjustable sprung USAAF type HB7 radio headset with its ANB-H-1 earphone receivers recognisable by their larger rubber pads.

Mounted on its black manikin head and 100yr old mango wood base, the iconic set of USAAF flight gear also includes an engraved plaque and double sided Fact Sheet as well as a fantastically detailed, custom built hand coloured 1/72n or super detailed 1/48 scale model of the iconic Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress perched above on its removable magnetic arm.

These are not reproduction but are a genuine set of operational WWII USAAF flight gear with the headset still retaining its original ‘red' PL- 354 plug.

This B-17 Flying Fortress Collectable comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Manikin Head and Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of collectable in service.

Return to B-17 Flying Fortress MAIN PAGE