What type of cap is this?

[MadZombieLenin]

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]

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]

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]

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

[deValcourt]

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]

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

[kliment]

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]

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]

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