US WWII Army B-17 Bombardiers Identified Crusher Cap, "Flighter" by Bancroft
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $450.00

Original era manufacture. Classic WWII Army Air Corps style officers "Crusher" hat by Bancroft. Size about a 6 3/4 with no issues beyond light, normal wear. The original owners name and service number has been stamped inside the lining in two places. Great looking hat with a butter-soft visor. Through the courtesy and efforts of local collector and friend James D, (whose research talents are amazing), we find that 2nd Lieutenant Philip F. Whalen served as a Bombardier aboard B-17G 44-6085. On the 23rd of August 1944, his aircraft was hit by Flak, with two engines out and in a gradual descent, the B-17 exploded mid-air, with three of the crew killed and the other seven parachuting to safety.  In a 1973 after-action interview, one of the surviving crewmen graphically describes this event, "Plane broke apart into at least three parts, nose, Pilots comp. and rest of plane. Nose was falling in free spin, Lt.Whalen, Bombardier and I were still in, I saw an opening and started out. It seemed like an explosion threw me clear". Lt Whalen survived this harrowing experience and became one of the seven POW's. Included with the hat is a large file detailing the fates of the crew of B-17G 44-6085.