My first NVA item.

[bgriggsy]

Hi all.

I picked this up today at a local market.

Compared to my recently aquired West German Luftwaffe cap, the quality does look a bit "cheap".
Do they all look this way, or do I have something from the dressing up box?

Any info would be appreciated. What would be a likely date of manufacture?

Many thanks,

Brian.

[daniel1234]

Hello,
You have an original ddr airforce cap.
It's missing the strap but looks to be in good condition.
IMO it's probably a late version maybe 80's ?

[bgriggsy]

Thanks for the info.
Would the strap be the plastic type or the braid do you think?
It seems that the letter is a date code, but I haven't found what year the "A" represents yet.

Cheers,

Brian.

[Thanatos]

It's build is the same as my GDR 1980's infantry visor.It's OK to me.
Cheers
Dave

[daniel1234]

Here is a photo of one I found from the Internet of how it would look with the strap.
I couldn't tell you what the exact date is but looks a later version Imo.

[bgriggsy]

Good call! Found a couple of mentions online, and the "A" code seems to be 1977.
Oddly the date codes don't appear to run alphabetically....

brian.

[AMTG]

East German gear always looks cheap! Check out their belt buckles!

All the good uniform and kit makers must have fled west!

[oradour]

All the good uniform and kit makers must have fled west!

Not necessarily ! have you examined modern BW stuff recently ? the early stuff was quality IMO, modern stuff poor in comparison .....as a BW veteran stated "if its cheap and nasty, then its Bundeswehr !" when asked about modern BRD awards/medals .......Brian, nice DDR Airforce cap .
Prost ! Steve.