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A new, interactive uniform exhibit at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters traces the history and evolution of Air Force clothing and the command’s role in the uniform process. This exhibit is located at the AFMC Headquarters, Building 262 on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and showcases images of uniforms from the 1940s to present day.
To learn more about each uniform on display, hover over the image to link to a description. The full gallery of images is also available on the uniform image gallery.
Vietnam-era K-2B Flight Suit
Donated by Col. Walter Boyne, USAF, Retired
Walter J. Boyne was an internationally recognized author and aviation historian. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and served as a bomber pilot, logging thousands of hours of flight time. Boyne flew as a B-50 and B-47 combat crew member in Strategic Air Command and later was a nuclear test pilot with the 4925th Nuclear Test Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, flying both the B-47 and B-52. He retired in 1974 and joined the National Air and Space Museum as a curator, ultimately serving as director from 1983 to 1986.
During his life Boyne received many domestic and foreign honors, including the Bronze Star, induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2007; a lifetime achievement award from the Air Force Association in 2010; induction into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 2011; and numerous literary awards.
505s (Shade #505) Uniform of the Day: The Air Force’s first attempt at a khaki uniform in Khaki Shade #505. The Air Force’s 505 (or shade 505) series of uniforms included this Bush jacket, pith helmet, and pants, but also a pair of shorts and shade #505 colored knee high socks with black shoes. This combination did not last long. More info on 505s: 1950s - 1960s 505 summer dress uniform: This uniform was worn with a blue flight cap or wheel hat, blue tie, and collar insignia. There are several combinations in the 505 series: long sleeve, short sleeve, bush jacket (with matching shorts and matching knee high socks worn with black low quarters) and pith helmet, a service dress jacket, and matching pants. It was worn by the enlisted and officer corps. The 505s looked great when ironed, however within minutes of putting them on, they looked as though you had slept in them. The 505s were phased out in the 60s and were replaced by 1505s--the last Air Force khaki uniform.
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