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Initial Flight Gear Issue

Dontcallmegump

Well-Known Member
pilot
Uncle Sam decided to give me and 37 of my closest buddies in API some new work clothes recently and it all seemed straight forward enough. Pretty sweet to just get to try on and hold the legendary leather jacket and hang it up in the closet to gaze upon with anticipation. Everything else was cool too but one item stands out from the rest.

Seriously, WTF is with the Randolph sunglasses? The civ giving out supplies couldn't stress enough that they only came in one size that "fits all" and they wouldn't be gold as if we would be offended that they were less gaudy. Then I looked up how much they sell for online and almost felt bad that ill probably give them away as soon as I wasn't on the hook to return them...

There's got to be a tradition/story behind this piece of issued "gear".
 

Notanaviator

Well-Known Member
Contributor
As a complete aside, if I’m a betting man, your first name is Forrest, and you’re using an AW handle to signal that you ‘don’t want your callsign to be Gump.’ If I know the world of Naval Aviation at all, you’re in for something much better and more creative than that.
 

Dontcallmegump

Well-Known Member
pilot
As a complete aside, if I’m a betting man, your first name is Forrest, and you’re using an AW handle to signal that you ‘don’t want your callsign to be Gump.’ If I know the world of Naval Aviation at all, you’re in for something much better and more creative than that.

Close enough on the name bit, however I wouldn't mind either way. I'm resigned to let the call sign come as it may, whether that's a function of my own actions or it isn't as original and creative as we would hope and it becomes a function of my parents actions.

As for the handle, I'm just bad at coming up with creative names for things.
 

Notanaviator

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Close enough on the name bit, however I wouldn't mind either way. I'm resigned to let the call sign come as it may, whether that's a function of my own actions or it isn't as original and creative as we would hope and it becomes a function of my parents actions.

As for the handle, I'm just bad at coming up with creative names for things.

I mean, best I could come up with handle wise was that I’m not an aviator, so, well... welcome! Good luck with your training NotGump!
 

BarryD

Well-Known Member
Contributor
They stopped issuing gold glasses awhile ago. As of the late 90s, they went to silver. @mad dog probably knows more.

My grandfather has about 5 or so sets of gold HGU-4/P glasses, all in the 52 mm size; he's had them since circa 1962 when he was at NAWS China Lake (as a non-Aviator, long story). They even came in that same blue plastic case.
 

Dontcallmegump

Well-Known Member
pilot
They stopped issuing gold glasses awhile ago. As of the late 90s, they went to silver. @mad dog probably knows more.

My grandfather has about 5 or so sets of gold HGU-4/P glasses, all in the 52 mm size; he's had them since circa 1962 when he was at NAWS China Lake (as a non-Aviator, long story). They even came in that same blue plastic case.

The description of the glasses themselves seems the same, except color, but the set I got came in a stitched black leather case with a suede interior and even a little velcro pocket for a cleaning cloth (that didn't have one in it).
 

BarryD

Well-Known Member
Contributor
The description of the glasses themselves seems the same, except color, but the set I got came in a stitched black leather case with a suede interior and even a little velcro pocket for a cleaning cloth (that didn't have one in it).
Consider that an upgrade from:
21397
People on here either seem to love the HGU-4/P style or absolutely hate it.
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
Uncle Sam decided to give me and 37 of my closest buddies in API some new work clothes recently and it all seemed straight forward enough. Pretty sweet to just get to try on and hold the legendary leather jacket and hang it up in the closet to gaze upon with anticipation. Everything else was cool too but one item stands out from the rest.

Seriously, WTF is with the Randolph sunglasses? The civ giving out supplies couldn't stress enough that they only came in one size that "fits all" and they wouldn't be gold as if we would be offended that they were less gaudy. Then I looked up how much they sell for online and almost felt bad that ill probably give them away as soon as I wasn't on the hook to return them...

There's got to be a tradition/story behind this piece of issued "gear".
Your HGU-4/P sunglasses are epic - don't dismiss this crucial piece of gear - and under no circumstances give them away - (@mad dog )

They are a sized that way for a reason - 52MM - so they can safely be worn under your helmet and not interfere with O2 mask - and allow for ample clearance if you need to wear under a visor.

These sunglasses are also classics - military pilots have worn these shades for generation. Wear with pride. @mad dog and I both have our original issue.
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
Two companies make the HGU-4/p sunglasses - Randolph Engineering in Randolph, MA andAmerican Optical in Southbridge, MA - in any case @Dontcallmegump American made quality.

Don't be a dismissive of your flight gear - be thrilled that you are one of the elite getting them in the first place.

if these glasses are good enough for Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon - they are certainly good enough for you @Dontcallmegump

21399
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
....wearing it.....

What else would I do with it?
Right. Why anticipate? Just wear it, or is there some absolutely ridiculous superstition about not wearing it until you're winged?

Your HGU-4/P sunglasses are epic - don't dismiss this crucial piece of gear
False. Nothing will identify you more quickly to others as a complete tool than wearing your issued sunglasses. Chuck wears his as often as possible. Need I say more?
 

BarryD

Well-Known Member
Contributor
You either love them or hate them. I've never seen this posted on AWs, but I imagine everyone here has seen it.

Now, time to add fuel to the fire :D :
214002140121402
*These are all Gold
 

Jim123

DD-214 in hand and I'm gonna party like it's 1998
pilot
What, exactly, do you anticipate doing with it?
In defense of little Gump's anticipation, it was eighty degrees in Pensacola today...


... so he could probably only wear that iconic pleather G-1 for about an hour or so.


The sunglasses are perfectly fine sunglasses- good optical quality and durability. If you like them then wear them and don't worry about it. If you don't like them then don't wear them and don't worry about it. Either way you're going to look like every other military dude in Pensacola.

I've never cared for the bayonet-style whatever the things that go back to your ears are called, although that's so they you can put them on and take them off with your helmet on. That ear piece and frame style is the default frame for Navy prescription sunglasses (unless you deliberately ask for one of the other styles before the HMs send your eyeglasses order off to NOSTRA). Pro tip: the metal thing inside the plastic ear piece sometimes slides out if you are wearing a helmet at take the glasses off. Put a tiny dab of krazy glue on the very tip of metal thing, just the tip, and it'll stay put.

The NEX sells the gold frame versions for about thirty bucks, https://www.mynavyexchange.com/eagle-eyes-unisex-freedom-sunglasses/11200283 (there is all sorts of moto stuff in the sale literature about NASA and fighter pilots).


Pro tip 2: if/when you need prescription glasses to fly, sometimes NOSTRA inexplicably grinds lenses to something other than your prescription. If your issue eyeglasses instantly give you a headache then congratulations!
 
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