Some pencil sketches of my main OC and 'sona Shane McNair, a commissioned officer and pilot in the USAAC, done by  Scott_Ruggels, who I sought for his familiarity with US issue militaria in establishing a good foundation for his design.

This ref shows Shane as a pilot from the 24th Pursuit Squadron/16th Pursuit Group, based at Albrook Field in the Panama Canal Zone circa 1937 or '38. The unit was originally formed as the 24th Aero Squadron in 1917. In 1922, following its deactivation after returning from Europe three years earlier, the squadron was reconstituted and sent to the Panama Canal Zone, with the sole mission of defending the canal until it was deactivated permanently in 1946.

My main intent in commissioning this piece was to get a good uniform ref for him, and to assist in my own understanding of how it would look as much as to help serve as a guide for other artists in the future. In the past I've also come to find that explaining the details of such things, even with pictures in certain instances, to someone who is unfamiliar with them can be surprisingly difficult, so a fairly detailed visual reference by a knowledgeable artist is a huge help.

Attire includes a khaki M1926 pattern uniform, with a black necktie that would have been standard during the pre-war years and a garrison cap with piping that I believe would be alternating black and yellow for a pilot. Flight gear includes a jumpsuit, parachute, leather A-2 flight jacket, and ankle boots. Although not shown, he might also wear a Mae West life preserver. The patch on the jacket's breast displays the 24th Pursuit Squadron's leaping tiger emblem, along with an Air Corps shoulder patch. His sidearm is a personally owned commercial Colt M1911 in a leather M1916 holster attached to an M1910 web belt with a double magazine pouch.