ID10T
Sr Member
So, I don't know how far this will go at the end of the day, but I've decided a current flight suit would be a cool easy to do and (relitively) cheap costume to throw together.
I was a bit optimistic in most of that initial assessment, but still much cheaper than my Corporal Rostock for example.
Here's a good reference (you can zoom WAY in of you like):
Breaking it down, we have the flight suit, some patches, t-shirt and shoes.
Flight suit: G&B 27/P in royal blue. $258.00 FSL 27/P Flight Suit | Gibson & Barnes - Premiere Flyer & Aviation Outfitters
That was easy. (and real NOMEX flight suit, not a costume piece, so it has the right color and "sheen") Cotton-poly is only a few bucks less, so you might as well go all-in on this.
Patches: A-B Emblem (official supplier to NASA)
Flag: USA Flag 3X5 (LEFT SHOULDER)
Meatball: NASA Vector (Official Size) (RIGHT BREAST)
Program (same crew 2 patch shown) Crew-2 (RIGHT SHOULDER)
Plenty of other program patches available from A-B Emblem. I'm thinking of doing an Artemis (next manned moon mission) suit myself, but commercial crew and others are cool too.
Patches are all sewn directly to the suit, with the exception of the name tag, which is Velcro attached.
Name tag: This is a bit trickier possibly. G&B is the supplier of these to NASA, but you can't find some of the designs the astronauts use in their "name tag builder" of their web site. "Mission Specialist" is the one you would pick, unless you are a pilot, or come from a military branch. Generally this is a civilian without a military background (geologist etc.) that is to be flown on a mission based on their specialized need for that mission.
In order to get this patch, you must call G&B and order it verbally. Here's what to ask for:
"The wings in the photo are Mission Specialist wings. Below are the details of the nametags in the photo.
The nametag is:
Fabric: Nomex Lightweight Royal
Wings: Mission Specialist (White)
Border: White
Letters: Block (White)"
If you DON'T want Velcro on the back (because you are sewing it directly on something) you must specify this. They apply the Velcro BEFORE "Merrowing" the edges, so it is completely attached forever, all the way around. And it sits flatter because of this (brilliant I thought). So if you have other plans, ask for it to be deleted.
There is one other type of wing available (not shown on the site) which has the NASA meatball in the center. I've not yet seen this on any astronaut to date so it may be a fantasy thing (or really rare). Ebay sels cheezy ones but they are not terribly expensive from G&B (~$15) so go for the real ones.
If you have military background, you select the appropriate wings for your branch, and adjust them to NASA specs (although these may be NASA variants- similar to Air Force command pilot wings, but different). You can make these in the builder on the G&B site:
Oh, see that black "commercial crew" patch on the right mid-section? There are two versions of it. One, like Bob's, above, is "flown". The other version does not have the sunrise detail at the bottom, which indicates "not flown"; i.e. you are on the commercial crew, but haven't flown yet. A-B has those (both variants) as well.
Here's an example of another (real) name tag variant:
Nicole here has a Naval Aviator background prior to joining NASA. I don't know why her tag is red however. (If you knw why, let us know!). I have read that silver wings are "not space flown" and gold wings are "space flown". She has a "flown" commercial crew patch as well. Obviously space flown. Bob's wings, above, are standard white, not silver. So there seems to be some "leeway" here on a few things, unless Bob's are in fact a NASA-only version, which seems to be the case the more I look at them.
Now, some astronauts have a VERY special patch, like our friend Meghan here (she often wears a small space shuttle necklace as well):
Under her name tag is the "Mach 26" patch (not sure why it's Velcro and not direct sewn- possibly because it is the ONLY one, and not replaceable). That one is impossible to get. Only a few were ever made (by A-B Emblem) and even other astronauts can't get them- they have to be awarded. And you get awarded one for flying at Mach 25 (or higher) in a controlled craft*, usually on a high-orbit shuttle return flight. But there are a couple other variants, showing SPACE-X (I think) capsule and MIR (with "MACH" in Russian). So forget a Mach 26 patch. But, MACH 25 is possible...
*Apollo capsules actually reentered much faster, but were not a controlled craft
So how do you get one? eBay of course. Someone in China makes fake ones. These look correct (the others do not). A bit expensive for what they are, but I have not found another source:
You can of course leave it off, because it is a VERY small club wearing them.
Footwear: I've only seen Meghan's footwear (clearly) while in a flight suit, and naturally, they are silver with rainbow sparkle Doc Martens. It is possible they are seen in the photo because, well, they're silver with rainbow sparkles! Or it's just that the men are taller, so their boots are cut off all the time in the clear, close-up photos. Most of the men have black boots, but I have not positively identified them yet. It is POSSIBLE they are Dehner Alert Boots. They have been suppliers to NASA since Apollo, possiblly before. If you have impossible to fit feet, they are the best option.
dehner.com
They may just be the typical "swat" boot as well (Rothco etc.), since they seem to have a well rounded toe and the sneaker-like sole attachment (non-rebuildable). It seems non-critical (based on the Doc Martens) but for men, black service boots of some description seem appropriate. I'll probably use my 1980's vintage NATO steel toe combat boots, because I already have them.
Zoom in on this one. Boots are somewhat random (and one pair of black sneakers) so you're safe with whatever here:
Also interesting to see the ESA and Russian variant patches. (not sure if A-B has all these variants, but probably).
Undershirt: Seems open. Navy blue, light gray and dark gray shown above. I have not seen white but I have seen what looks like black (possibly deep navy blue).
Headgear: Generally the crew will wear some sort of cover based on the event they are attending (usually all the same). So, I've not seen anything "official" here, as a general cover. A decent meatball (not the "worm") logo cap seems appropriate, if you prefer a head cover. Or nothing.
I was a bit optimistic in most of that initial assessment, but still much cheaper than my Corporal Rostock for example.
Here's a good reference (you can zoom WAY in of you like):
Breaking it down, we have the flight suit, some patches, t-shirt and shoes.
Flight suit: G&B 27/P in royal blue. $258.00 FSL 27/P Flight Suit | Gibson & Barnes - Premiere Flyer & Aviation Outfitters
That was easy. (and real NOMEX flight suit, not a costume piece, so it has the right color and "sheen") Cotton-poly is only a few bucks less, so you might as well go all-in on this.
Patches: A-B Emblem (official supplier to NASA)
Flag: USA Flag 3X5 (LEFT SHOULDER)
Meatball: NASA Vector (Official Size) (RIGHT BREAST)
Program (same crew 2 patch shown) Crew-2 (RIGHT SHOULDER)
Plenty of other program patches available from A-B Emblem. I'm thinking of doing an Artemis (next manned moon mission) suit myself, but commercial crew and others are cool too.
Patches are all sewn directly to the suit, with the exception of the name tag, which is Velcro attached.
Name tag: This is a bit trickier possibly. G&B is the supplier of these to NASA, but you can't find some of the designs the astronauts use in their "name tag builder" of their web site. "Mission Specialist" is the one you would pick, unless you are a pilot, or come from a military branch. Generally this is a civilian without a military background (geologist etc.) that is to be flown on a mission based on their specialized need for that mission.
In order to get this patch, you must call G&B and order it verbally. Here's what to ask for:
"The wings in the photo are Mission Specialist wings. Below are the details of the nametags in the photo.
The nametag is:
Fabric: Nomex Lightweight Royal
Wings: Mission Specialist (White)
Border: White
Letters: Block (White)"
If you DON'T want Velcro on the back (because you are sewing it directly on something) you must specify this. They apply the Velcro BEFORE "Merrowing" the edges, so it is completely attached forever, all the way around. And it sits flatter because of this (brilliant I thought). So if you have other plans, ask for it to be deleted.
There is one other type of wing available (not shown on the site) which has the NASA meatball in the center. I've not yet seen this on any astronaut to date so it may be a fantasy thing (or really rare). Ebay sels cheezy ones but they are not terribly expensive from G&B (~$15) so go for the real ones.
If you have military background, you select the appropriate wings for your branch, and adjust them to NASA specs (although these may be NASA variants- similar to Air Force command pilot wings, but different). You can make these in the builder on the G&B site:
Oh, see that black "commercial crew" patch on the right mid-section? There are two versions of it. One, like Bob's, above, is "flown". The other version does not have the sunrise detail at the bottom, which indicates "not flown"; i.e. you are on the commercial crew, but haven't flown yet. A-B has those (both variants) as well.
Here's an example of another (real) name tag variant:
Nicole here has a Naval Aviator background prior to joining NASA. I don't know why her tag is red however. (If you knw why, let us know!). I have read that silver wings are "not space flown" and gold wings are "space flown". She has a "flown" commercial crew patch as well. Obviously space flown. Bob's wings, above, are standard white, not silver. So there seems to be some "leeway" here on a few things, unless Bob's are in fact a NASA-only version, which seems to be the case the more I look at them.
Now, some astronauts have a VERY special patch, like our friend Meghan here (she often wears a small space shuttle necklace as well):
Under her name tag is the "Mach 26" patch (not sure why it's Velcro and not direct sewn- possibly because it is the ONLY one, and not replaceable). That one is impossible to get. Only a few were ever made (by A-B Emblem) and even other astronauts can't get them- they have to be awarded. And you get awarded one for flying at Mach 25 (or higher) in a controlled craft*, usually on a high-orbit shuttle return flight. But there are a couple other variants, showing SPACE-X (I think) capsule and MIR (with "MACH" in Russian). So forget a Mach 26 patch. But, MACH 25 is possible...
*Apollo capsules actually reentered much faster, but were not a controlled craft
So how do you get one? eBay of course. Someone in China makes fake ones. These look correct (the others do not). A bit expensive for what they are, but I have not found another source:
Human Space Flights Mach25 Space Shuttle Badge Iron On Embroidered Patch | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Human Space Flights Mach25 Space Shuttle Badge Iron On Embroidered Patch at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
You can of course leave it off, because it is a VERY small club wearing them.
Footwear: I've only seen Meghan's footwear (clearly) while in a flight suit, and naturally, they are silver with rainbow sparkle Doc Martens. It is possible they are seen in the photo because, well, they're silver with rainbow sparkles! Or it's just that the men are taller, so their boots are cut off all the time in the clear, close-up photos. Most of the men have black boots, but I have not positively identified them yet. It is POSSIBLE they are Dehner Alert Boots. They have been suppliers to NASA since Apollo, possiblly before. If you have impossible to fit feet, they are the best option.
Dehner Alert Boot - The Dehner Boot Company
dehner.com
They may just be the typical "swat" boot as well (Rothco etc.), since they seem to have a well rounded toe and the sneaker-like sole attachment (non-rebuildable). It seems non-critical (based on the Doc Martens) but for men, black service boots of some description seem appropriate. I'll probably use my 1980's vintage NATO steel toe combat boots, because I already have them.
Zoom in on this one. Boots are somewhat random (and one pair of black sneakers) so you're safe with whatever here:
Also interesting to see the ESA and Russian variant patches. (not sure if A-B has all these variants, but probably).
Undershirt: Seems open. Navy blue, light gray and dark gray shown above. I have not seen white but I have seen what looks like black (possibly deep navy blue).
Headgear: Generally the crew will wear some sort of cover based on the event they are attending (usually all the same). So, I've not seen anything "official" here, as a general cover. A decent meatball (not the "worm") logo cap seems appropriate, if you prefer a head cover. Or nothing.
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