Parachute Regiment AK Hat

[Tiny8275]

Hi All, I have a selection of flashes in my shop but can't find what AK means or stands for. I know what one looks like but don't know what AK means. Anyone out there know?

Set of 7 x 1st Parachute Battalion Bush Hat Flashes, Aden 1960's
This is in excellent condition and is a set of 1st Battalion Bush Hat Flashes in coloured felt on khaki drill with folded edges as follows:
1st Battalion - Maroon squarehttps://en.
Black/White square - HQ Coy
Black lightning flash - Support Coy
Red triangle- 'A' Coy
Blue triangle - 'B' Coy
Yellow triangle - 'C' Coy
Green triangle - 'D' Coy
More info: https://www.paradata.org.uk/unit/1st...egiment-1-para
and
https://www.parachuteregiment-hsf.org/1_Para.htm
This is a full set of 7 x Individual DZ Flashes and if required are available at £65.00 each, however if just one is bought then the offer for the full set of 7 becomes null and void. The remainder will be advertised for sale individually.
The price of £380.00 for the complete set now appears more tempting.

[engr9266]

Can you show a picture of the one you want to ID?

[manchesters]

Where does the AK appear, cant see it

[Colin S]

The phrase comes from “hats AK” which was slang for “hats Afrika Korps” which refers to a peaked combat cap with a neck flap. The British Army issued such factory made hats in plain khaki in the Middle East in the 1950s and 60s but they continued to be popular in Airborne Forces made in DPM by unit tailors. Normally worn as patrol caps with the neck flap folded up inside the cap. Unit flashes were sometimes worn on the sides - normally smaller versions of battalion DZ flashes but I’ve heard company ones were worn in the 1960s, which are the ones illustrated in your question.

[Tiny8275]

Colin, Thank you very much for the info. Do you mind if I include this info and a link in the listing. Regards, Paul

[leigh kitchen]

Were these caps always produced with neck flaps?

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Colin S

The phrase comes from “hats AK” which was slang for “hats Afrika Korps” which refers to a peaked combat cap with a neck flap.

Found this item on WorthPoint of one sold on eBay , described as :
"RARE SUEZ ERA 2ND BATTALION PARACHUTE REGIMENT DESERT CAP WITH 2 PARA DZ FLASHES".

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...hute-478388274

[Tiny8275]

Hi Leigh, No idea, I only have the flashes and info from personnel on this forum. Photos seem to confirm neck flaps.
As an aside I watched a modern film last night 'Rogue One' a Star Wars off shoot and personnel were wearing a very similar hat!!!
Regards, Paul

[Alan O]

The only caps I ever saw on the Para regt in DPM were the issued 'crap-hat' in DPM which was very much in vogue in the 1970s and 80s. By the 1990s this was no longer in vogue and the jungle hat had taken over as the camouflage cap of choice. Usually tailored to reduce the size of the crown and trim the brim size down.

This continued in desert DPM in the 2000's and now with MTP. The crap hat was -reissued for Herrick winter tours as it is an arctic ski cap used by the RM: but it was not taken up by most in Herrick and largely ignored in favour of the MTP jungle hat which was issued with a (rarely worn) removable neck flap.

Occasionally reduced size DZ patches were worn on the side of the desert and DPM jungle hats: often by the Para RE more than anyone else.

[leigh kitchen]

Today, 11:11 AM
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Hi Leigh, No idea, I only have the flashes and info from personnel on this forum. Photos seem to confirm neck flaps.
As an aside I watched a modern film last night 'Rogue One' a Star Wars off shoot and personnel were wearing a very similar hat!!!
Regards, Paul

Thanks, I just wondered.
Star Wars has previous for using genuine military items - the original film featured Singlepoint weapon sights.

[leigh kitchen]

I remember reading this reference to "Afrika Korps" when I was a kid ("Soldier" magazine, April 1968):

[Mike_2817]

Re Post #11 - Item illustrated was replaced by Cap Combat Cold Weather 1960 Pattern which along with a detachable hood were accessories to the Green 60' Patt Combat Suit.

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I remember reading this reference to "Afrika Korps" when I was a kid ("Soldier" magazine, April 1968):

I was issue with a Cap Combat in 1969 prior to going on a basic skiing course at Aviemore. It was worn with the 1960 pattern green smock combat and trousers (but civilian boots and skis)!

Tim

[Colin S]

The AK hats I was referring to were not cold weather items but made in thin DPM material. They were similar to the issue DPM ‘crap hat’ but were private purchase and slightly different in shape. They did not have a section which could folded down over the ears, unlike the crap hat, and were intended for hot areas. They were mostly worn for patrol work in temperate climates, so the neck flaps were often cut off. I have three packed away somewhere in the loft and, if I remember correctly, two were made by unit tailors and one I got from HM Supplies in the Shot in the 1990s. All three are different in their details. I attach a photo of a 1960s hat (not mine) which shows the basic design but the dimensions got smaller by the 1980s. See also the bottom photo on page 254 and the top of page 255 of ‘British Airborne Headdress’ by Daniel Fisher and Ollie Lock.

[Tiger Pete]

AK Hats, also known colloquially as 'Jap Hats' (DPM, lightweight, private purchase, with neck flap) were still very much in use in the early 1990s, certainly when I was in Kenya with 7 (Para) RHA in 1993.

KR,

Pete.