Just a few minor points to add:
If you get your hands on a flight suit like the one pictured above, make sure to remove the knife pocket on the left thigh and the flap covering the pen pocket on the left shoulder. Because G-suits have a similar knife pocket in the same location (it's made of a black piece of leather) they're redundant on the flight suit for those who wear G-suits, i.e. fighter jocks. Those who fail to remove the pocket themselves risk having it removed for them the minute they enter the squadron building. Look closely in any fighter squadron bar and you're sure to find at least one of 'em hanging about by the little string that comes with it (it's a lanyard for the knife). The first visual clue that a person flies fast movers (or the A-10
) is the absence of said pocket. I say visual 'cause by the time he or she is within earshot, they've probably already told you what they fly (I'm a Strike Eagle Bubba myself).
As far as the pen flap goes, it's not as traditional to remove it, and a few guys keep them, but basically they're a pain in the butt and just complicate the whole taking-the-pencil-out-of-the-pocket-process. Also, the little tag of velcro left on the pencil pocket after the flap is removed is a good place for extra little patches that most squadrons sell (the "pegged fun meter" is most common).
Other notes: Black is the preferred undershirt color, unless it's a special occasion or Friday, then usually the squadron color is worn. Patches are OK for local training sorties but some dudes will switch their name tag to their shoulder when they get all their flight gear on so security forces or maintainers can ID them if necessary. Go to Mardon.com if you want to order a nametag, it's where all USAF squadrons get theirs ($6 a pair). Like Ammo said, patches are available from any squadron you're interested in. Contact them via e-mail and tell them what you want (go through the squadron SNACKO-snack officer). Patches are a source of funds for squadrons, especially at airshows and if they charge you at all it'll only be a few bucks apiece. You can get ACC patches for your right chest from any military clothing store for about $5 a pair. Scarves suck, don't bother tracking one down. They're made of polyester and will melt to your skin in a fire so they are never worn in flight, and they're a hassle in general. They tried to make us wear them once, so we all wore them where they could only be seen if the boss made us pull our collar down. After a few weeks, no one was wearing them, but the boss couldn't tell either way so it worked out well for everyone.
Finally, except for check rides, we never shine our flight boots. Guys who have time to shine their boots aren't studying how to blow sh*t up enough. If the nicks are bad enough, color them in with a magic marker and get back to work.
All Air Force bases have a place where old equipment is made available for free to whoever wants it (I forgot the name, sorry). Usually it's old office chairs and computer monitors, but condemned G-suits, oxygen masks and harnesses are sometimes available. Call a fighter base up and explain your situation and they might work something out for you. I would suggest e-mailing the base Public Affairs Office, they'd love to help the museum, I'm sure. Good luck with your tours, let me know if you need any more help.
"Roach" Jorgensen
492d FS
