Most general officers wore uniforms to some degree or another, such variations were usually minor in nature, but they were not unauthorized... GOs were allowed to make modifications to uniforms if they felt it was indicated.
I recall around 1970 is was pretty common for Air Force GOs to wear Allen Edmon shoes in black but a scotch grain finish rather than the standard smooth finish... You also saw variations in rank insignia fairly often... usually in the size of the insignia.
Old time pilots would frequently remove the grommets from their hats a'la WWII... Some changed tha angle of the front of the top half so it was more at the angle of the German WWII officer's hat... looks better than the standard Clothing Sales Store hat.
During the Viet Nam war, a lot of senior officers in the AF had their 1505 uniform shirts embroidered with their rank, ratings etc. rather than wear pin on insignia. A few wore the black/silver buckle general officer belts with their uniforms as as well too...
Pilots in the 1970 time frame often replaced the low powered S&W 38 Specials with a personally owned revolver or pistol because the military 38 Special ball load was so weak... Conveniently the S&W M19s sold at the BX would fit in the issue leather gear... You also saw, S&W M39s, Colt's Government Models and Commanders as well... I even saw a few S&W Model 58 41 Magnums being carried by B52 crews... One elderly Colonel wing commander carried a Single Action Army in 44-40 when flying combat missions... Odd choice, but doubtless would work.
FWIW
Chuck
I recall around 1970 is was pretty common for Air Force GOs to wear Allen Edmon shoes in black but a scotch grain finish rather than the standard smooth finish... You also saw variations in rank insignia fairly often... usually in the size of the insignia.
Old time pilots would frequently remove the grommets from their hats a'la WWII... Some changed tha angle of the front of the top half so it was more at the angle of the German WWII officer's hat... looks better than the standard Clothing Sales Store hat.
During the Viet Nam war, a lot of senior officers in the AF had their 1505 uniform shirts embroidered with their rank, ratings etc. rather than wear pin on insignia. A few wore the black/silver buckle general officer belts with their uniforms as as well too...
Pilots in the 1970 time frame often replaced the low powered S&W 38 Specials with a personally owned revolver or pistol because the military 38 Special ball load was so weak... Conveniently the S&W M19s sold at the BX would fit in the issue leather gear... You also saw, S&W M39s, Colt's Government Models and Commanders as well... I even saw a few S&W Model 58 41 Magnums being carried by B52 crews... One elderly Colonel wing commander carried a Single Action Army in 44-40 when flying combat missions... Odd choice, but doubtless would work.
FWIW
Chuck
