What type of cap is this?

MadZombieLenin · 10-27-2009, 12:39 AM

While browsing an online auction site I came across this cap. The seller describes it as a Soviet Uniform GRRAD Rocket CAP. I don't know what that is. At first I suspected the cockade was from another Soviet bloc country but my cockade guide has it as a:

личный состав военизированных подразделений по борьбе с градом Главного управления гидрометеорологической службы 1975
(It took me forever to type that...)

Not being able to read Russian, I translated it online as "personnel of the militarized subdivisions on the fight with the hail of the main administration of the hydrographic and weather service". That's not very helpful. Does anyone know what this cap is, and if the cockade is the proper one? I have a decent amount of Soviet caps now, but this is one I haven't seen.

The pics are the seller's. I couldn't save the inside one, but it's got a diamond from the Odessa factory, 1987.

It looks like an Aeroflot cap but with enlisted strap and standard army buttons. Since this navy blue with lighter blue piping is used in a few different caps, I wouldn't be surprised if it's correct. I rather liked it, so I thought I should research it some. Thanks!

kliment · 10-27-2009, 01:34 PM

It's a cap of the civilian organisation (I have maybe the name somewhere) in charge of the artificial rain for the soviet agriculture. The bagde illustrates the rockets used to create rain by explosion in the clouds.

Jeffrey Meffert · 10-27-2009, 05:57 PM

Pretty cool. Love the cockade on that cap. Must have been a great dating conversation starter when they ask what you do for a living.:thumbsup

Commissar · 10-27-2009, 10:19 PM

Haha! That is so cool! :) I did not know the Soviets made rain!

deValcourt · 10-27-2009, 10:58 PM

I thought he was kidding at first. Then I looked at the cap and I believed...:D

Of course it helps just coming from the discussion on the "eBay Jokes" thread. I'm ready to believe anything! ;)

Regardless, it is a spiffy looking cap.:thumbsup

Phillip

MadZombieLenin · 10-27-2009, 11:45 PM

Wow, that's amazing! I had no idea what this one was. Thanks for the info! Now obtaining it's another story...
:)

kliment · 10-28-2009, 02:52 PM

The name given by the dealer is correct. I have found a picture of the rank collar tabs used by this organisation (unissued without star), the badge is a rocket and wheat.

EricFG · 10-28-2009, 05:53 PM

How bizarre. I'd have never thought the Soviets had a uniformed cloud-seeding division.
But why not? In a country that big why not have troops in charge of trying to influence the weather on those collective farms. Makes perfect sense.

Any other strange Soviet sub-divisions? Beach patrol? Fashion police? Borscht inspectors? Kvas quality control troops? :)

Esteban_cool · 10-28-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricFG

Any other strange Soviet sub-divisions? Beach patrol? Fashion police? Borscht inspectors? Kvas quality control troops? :)

Do not forget the Vodka Quality Control Service, with former president of RF Boris Yeltsin as National Director and head of it until the first years of the new Russian government...:D

10-27-2009, 01:34 PM	#2
kliment Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 111	Re: What type of cap is this? It's a cap of the civilian organisation (I have maybe the name somewhere) in charge of the artificial rain for the soviet agriculture. The bagde illustrates the rockets used to create rain by explosion in the clouds.

10-27-2009, 05:57 PM	#3
Jeffrey Meffert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Age: 67 Posts: 640	Re: What type of cap is this? Pretty cool. Love the cockade on that cap. Must have been a great dating conversation starter when they ask what you do for a living.:thumbsup

10-27-2009, 10:19 PM	#4
Commissar Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 424	Re: What type of cap is this? Haha! That is so cool! :) I did not know the Soviets made rain!

10-27-2009, 10:58 PM	#5
deValcourt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cajun Country Age: 56 Posts: 1,565	Re: What type of cap is this? I thought he was kidding at first. Then I looked at the cap and I believed...:D Of course it helps just coming from the discussion on the "eBay Jokes" thread. I'm ready to believe anything! ;) Regardless, it is a spiffy looking cap.:thumbsup Phillip __________________ Phillip

10-27-2009, 11:45 PM	#6
MadZombieLenin Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland, United States Posts: 52	Re: What type of cap is this? Wow, that's amazing! I had no idea what this one was. Thanks for the info! Now obtaining it's another story... :)

10-28-2009, 05:53 PM	#8
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: What type of cap is this? How bizarre. I'd have never thought the Soviets had a uniformed cloud-seeding division. But why not? In a country that big why not have troops in charge of trying to influence the weather on those collective farms. Makes perfect sense. Any other strange Soviet sub-divisions? Beach patrol? Fashion police? Borscht inspectors? Kvas quality control troops? :) __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

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